Ask Angie: Looking for a topper/jacket to wear with tunic outfits.

As usual, the final steps in putting together an outfit manage to fall apart as I am walking out the door. My uniform of sorts these days is slim pants/jeans with a flowy or tunic top. My challenge is finding a jacket or topper I can throw on over my outfits that manage to protect me from the elements but still look like a part of the outfit. I live in the rainy PNW and this spring time weather REQUIRES some sort of topper that can protect me from the chill and rain without being too warm. I need something that goes with my outfits since I seem to be in my outerwear most of the day. I want something casual and LONG.

I have been hunting for a couple months now and this is what I am finding:

1) cropped and short jackets. I need something LONG that covers my butt and most of the long layers that I am sporting these days. I don't want to see every little thing hanging out my backside. I am also finding that I need my backside covered because I get chilled easily and my rear is the first to get cold these days. I have enough cropped and short jackets and they are just not right. Grrr. I always feel like my short jackets are messing up my outfits! And I'm cold.
2) anoraks. I think something in this vibe would be PERFECT but I don't like the greenish/olive-ish tones that I am seeing everywhere. I would prefer something in a cool gray or white/cream. I am also wanting something LONGER than what I am seeing out there. Has anyone seen a LONG anorak-style jacket in a cool-toned color?
3) trenches. Now I think something like this would be good but I don't like how "classic" they are on me. I have an arty-almost-avant-guard style. If I went with a trench, I'd want it to be more drapey or casual or arty or SOMETHING that is not so polished and put-together. I can't find that sort of thing. YET.

I'm wondering if anyone in their travels has seen anything out there in shopping-land that may work. I will admit that I don't have a lot of time for shopping. And I also admit that I always shop the same stores and websites so maybe what I want is somewhere I haven't been yet. I do appreciate any leads that Angie or anyone can provide. I'm so cold!

11 years ago

Marmee

Veteran

Not Angie, but look at Elizabeth Roberts I don't know how close you are to Seattle, but Mercer in U-Village has some, and Mario's downtown also has them.

I feel your pain. I also have the issue of what to wear when it's not going to rain, and it's kind of cold, but not cold enough for wool or down.

Anonymous

I can definitely sympathize! I have a short-ish leather jacket that used to be my only real non-winter coat and it drove me crazy to have to wear it with a tunic or boyfriend cardigan hanging under it looking funny. Now I just do a trench coat. I don't have any advice on finding a non-classic one, though.

catgirl

I actually have a long trench like gear jacket from Marmot that I wear over longer tops, weather permitting. It isn't the most stylish but is kind of sleek in black.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Have you tried Boden? Lots of fun casual options there. And good quality too. Size up.

Marlene

Angie - I haven't shopped Boden in a long time. That mac coat looks like a possibility. I need to relook at them!

Marmee - I have never heard of Elizabeth Roberts before! I love what she is showing on her website. She seems to relate to the need for functional clothing that can handle the elements and STILL not look like you are about to set off on a hike. I live on the Eastside....I may need to cross the lake and check out the big city

AG - I was wondering if some of the "gear" companies would offer something that would be functional AND urban style. Back to my research to see if there is something that could work...

Thanks for the thoughts so far....

Marlene, I just looked at the Mercer website. There is a store in Sammamish at Pine Lake Village, if that's near you. But I'm not exactly sure where Sammamish is in relation the the downtown Bellevue and Redmond, and I know the Eastside is a big place!

I keep meaning to organize a Seattle brunch and shop…

Marmee - I basically am stuck in my Bellevue/Redmond/Kirkland box. I have never really explored Sammamish since that is "far away". See how bad I am? I would be open to a Seattle brunch and shop since I am looking for new options in my shopping world and none of my local friends enjoy fashion the way I do.

rabbit

I could have written your exact same post. I have a more classic trench which I like, but I would really like a more contemporary long blazer or jacket that thoroughly covers the butt at the back (on sale or at a low price point, I've seen nice things out of my price range). Why aren't there hi-low blazers or jackets like hi-low tunics? (As an aside, why do so many of the non-cropped tops with waterfall hems in the front go shorter in the back?)

I will check out the suggestions above and keep checking back for more

ETA: I have this blazer I'm trying to decide whether to keep or toss (pic isn't how I would style it). It had 80's shoulder pads that really weren't the same as the big shoulders now, so I took them out. Pro - it's long and looks oversized even though buttoned it's a good fit. Sleeves are the right length or can be rolled/scrunched. Cons - the shoulder pads really were something, and I don't know if taking them out made the shoulder line too undefined/off. Also the double-breasted stance might be too dated.

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dashielle (Ann)

I would try REI online, or in Redmond. Check this selection online! http://www.rei.com/c/womens-casual-jackets
I also find that other, so-called athletic stores are starting to get into this end, so look at Athleta http://www.titlenine.com/categ.....do?nType=1 and Title Nine http://www.titlenine.com/categ.....do?nType=1

Ooooh, and North Face http://www.thenorthface.com/ca.....-lifestyle

I'm in the same boat (literally) and struggle with our weather, especially since I bus to work, so need to factor in hanging out at the stop etc.

Niefern

Active Member

I do not know if this style suits you, but I like these from Desigual:

http://www.desigual.com/es_ES/.....si-40E2914

http://www.desigual.com/es_ES/.....la-41E2906

Rabbit, that blazer looks like a keeper to me.

Some of these trenches and jackets look interesting, but I think with BTR you have to pay a flat shipping rate and they only give you store credit for returns:

https://www.beyondtherack.com/.....category=1

Wow! Lots to think about here. I do like the IDEA of buying from a "gear" company but they do remind me a lot of gear and that is not what I am looking for. But the functionality is perfect. Maybe I should just stalk them and hope that they design something for city wear that functions like gear.

The Desigual are interesting looking but I fear that they are too design-y and I would get bored of them after one season.

Lots of great ideas! My search interests are piqued again!

Marlene, I totally get not wanting to go to Sammammish. I keep meaning to go to Bel Square, but just can't quite make the trip!

Here is mine:

http://www.backcountry.com/mar.....ket-womens

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