Ask Angie: wool coats - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Shopping

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Ask Angie: wool coats

Aziraphale

Veteran

If you were on the hunt for a good winter wool coat, what shops would you head to? I have a wardrobe hole that doesn't need to be filled right this second, but next year sometime I would like to get a proper knee-length wool coat. It's cold here right now -- too cold for my other nice coats -- and I hate wearing my ski jacket around town.

I'm willing to spend money on this, but not high-end designer money, you know? I don't need a $1000 coat. Probably no more than $500.

Shopping

19 replies

Latest reply was from Ariadne

Suz

(website)

Veteran

If you're lucky, Elizabeth, The Bay might be a good bet. That's where I got my Hilary Radley coat last year, and it is a beauty. I didn't like this year's coat offerings as well. But I adore mine. It is wool and alpaca blend, easy to wear, elegant, and timeless, I feel. I know I will have it for many years. Best of all, although I bought it at full price originally, I ended up getting it on sale.

Also, check Soia and Kyo for stylish offerings: http://www.soiakyo.com

Amy

(website)

Veteran

Do you have a Macy's? I've found reasonably priced wool coats there that are nice.

Diana

Veteran

I think I'd head to a big department store first (not sure what you have in Canada, but a big Macys or Nordstrom would be a good bet) to try on lots of styles, shapes, brands, etc, so you can get an idea of what styles you like, what brands fit you well, sizing, etc. (I find coat sizing weird because some brands assume you'll be wearing layers but others don't). Even if you don't find exactly the thing you want, you'll be well armed to shop online or at other stores after that. I do find that colored coats tend to be underrepresented in stores most of the time (it's all black and grey and camel) so if you want a colored one you might have to look online.

Thistle

Veteran

If you can get to the US, I would go to Nordstrom's. Their coat selection is amazing at all price points.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Suz -- I was going to try The Bay downtown and Holt Renfrew. I can't remember the last time I shopped for a wool coat -- I think I got a London Fog duffel coat as a teenager, and it was from the Bay. I used to have issues with the wool being scratchy around my neck, but now that I wear collared shirt much of the time, it's not a problem any more.

Amy -- no Macy's or Nordstrom here, dang it. But I hear we're getting a Nordstrom soon...

Diana -- I know exactly what I want -- a trench-type coat but without a belt, in black or charcoal (or possibly a lighter gray). No colours for me, so that's not a problem. What I'm keen on is a good cut, nice quality wool with a bit of texture, but not too much, and it must fit me across the shoulders. Petite sizing would be nice. Black can be a problem because it collects lint. Charcoal or flecked black works better.

Raisin

Veteran

If you're near Montreal or Ottawa I love Rudsak for winter coats. That's where both mine are from. Lots of good sales now too! And bonus it's a Canadian company if you're into that.

ETA - they sell them online now too!

Aziraphale

Veteran

Raisin -- I checked out the Rudsak website -- nice coats! Nothing that matches my criteria, though. But thanks for the tip.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Do you need a petite, Elisabeth? If so I'd start off with J. Crew.

If you're prepared to have sleeve lengths altered - I'd check our Soia & Kyo online.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Petite is more convenient, of course, but I am prepared to have alterations done on a regular size. I've had that done successfully before. I've already checked out J. Crew, and there was one coat I quite liked, but wasn't impressed with the fabric. It looked cheap.

Thanks for the tip -- I will try Soia&Kyo.

Tina.b

Veteran

To echo everyone else I will say Soia&Kyo and check out Mackage as well. Both are Canadian I think.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I have two J.Crew coats and the quality is stunning - they still look sharp after dry cleaning. They are possibly not created equally.

Aziraphale

Veteran

I didn't mean to diss J. Crew. They have some fantastic stuff. But in my limited experience with the brand -- we've only had a J. Crew shop for about a year here -- the quality of their materials can be inconsistent. But I just love their men's merino cardigan I bought for my husband -- beautiful fabric.

The one coat that met my criteria was made of a black, slightly textured wool, and it looked sort of synthetic. I'm sure that's not true of all their coats.

Charmian

Veteran

Angie, J. Crew changed the fabric on their wool coats this year. It used to be a beautiful textured 98% wool / 2% nylon but this year's line has a significantly higher nylon content that changes the hand (nylon is now in the 30-40% neighbourhood; I didn't even bother writing it down).

Elisabeth: the fit of J. Crew coats are the same, however, so if you find yourself in love with one of their classic black coats you can buy a 2011 (or before) version off of your favorite reseller. I picked up a cream 2010 lady day coat off eBay in December.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Oh no! Now I'm angry with J. Crew.

*BIG frown*

Aziraphale

Veteran

Charmian -- thanks for chiming in with that interesting tidbit. That explains why I was unimpressed with the coat! It IS synthetic! Glad I'm not losing my mind.

missvee

Veteran

If you're going to Toronto what about trying Lorne's on Spadina? I haven't been myself but they advertise all the time about their custom sizing and Canadian made coats. Might be worth a look.

missvee

Veteran

Oh and Freda's too. They are featured regularly on Cityline for their clothes, but I expect they carry coats too. You might want to phone first, just to make sure.

velvetychocolate

Veteran

This one looks like it has potential, although I'm not certain it meets your criteria for shape. The fabric content looks excellent, and it's on sale right now:

http://www.laura.ca/2371-Hoode.....-Coat.aspx

Fabric content is: Shell 85% Wool 10% Mohair 5% Alpaca

Ariadne

Veteran

Definitely check out Winners. They often have a great selection of styles. Last year the one at Cambie and Broadway had more styles than the downtown one. I was at the Bay just a few days ago and they didn't have much (it's all 50% off, though).

Jacob and RW&Co are worth a look, too.