Ask Angie: How to judge the warmth of a coat before buying

Lesley

Hi Angie!

How can I tell if this is a real winter coat, like it has some warmth to it, as opposed to just a lightweight mid-season coat? Don't get me wrong, I have a long puffer coat for serious winter, but I'm just wondering whether this coat may be my HEWI fulfilled.

Thanks!
Lesley

http://www.bodenusa.com/en-us/.....grave-coat

5 years ago

Shopping

12 replies

Latest reply was from Murph11

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Lesley, it needs to be THICK, woolly and heavy. This coat is not thick - at least, I don't think so but I haven't seen it yet. It's on my Seattle doorstep and I'm at our loft in Salt Lake City now.

From my own coat collection. These are my WARM wool coats:

Karen Millen

TIE-NECK COAT

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Top Pick

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5 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

These are my less warm wool coats:

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Custom Find

by Angie

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5 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

These are my WARMEST toppers:

Nordstrom

Soia & Kyo Water Resistant Hooded Down Walking Coat

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Zara

Short Anorak With Hidden Hood

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Top Pick

5 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Granted, I also wear thermals, scarves, hats and gloves with woolly coats, which insulates them even further. I hate feeling cold

5 years ago

Lesley

Veteran

Thank you so much! It didn't look thick. I think there was some magical thinking on my part. But better to eliminate it as an option now and wait for a truly thick winter coat to come down the pike!

5 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

YES. Keep your eyes peeled over the next few months.

5 years ago

LaPed

Veteran

The Hengrave coat is describe as being boiled wool, which is basically a knit that's been shrunken so it's very tight/dense. I'd guess this would serve as a lightweight coat -- think very warm cardigan with a lining -- not a true winter coat.

A lot of wool coats designed for true winter use will include a quilted lining that contains a thin layer of low-loft synthetic insulation (Thinsulate is a common brand). The wool coats I've had from J Crew and LL Bean have both had this feature and worked fine for deep winter, not just shoulder seasons.

5 years ago

Lesley

Veteran

I had a J.Crew thinsulate coat and was totally unimpressed! I suppose it's unfair—nothing can compare to the warmth of a down coat. The outside was their tweedy material which is not particularly warm. Maybe paired with a thick wool it would have felt warmer.

5 years ago

Jane

Veteran

If it helps, I have three Boden coats and I don’t count any as suitable for cold cold weather but I generally wear a jacket and a uniqlo thin puffa beneath them.

5 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist