Ask Angie:WWAD? Which coat for NY in November & is packable down warm?

That is "What Would Angie Do" I run cold like you. I would like to know what coat you would take to NY for a trip in mid November.

I am thinking a wool one that can be layered under & have ordered a red one like yours, with thinsulate for extra warmth. I am a fellow team tomato red girl:) I haven't been able to find a grey or brown tweed that would be ideal for hiding lint etc. Would that be warm enough for you? Would you even need one at that time of year or get by with jackets? Would you need a puffer instead/as well?

Next question is a puffer question. I tried the one in the photos below (tomato red bag in pic). I find it as flattering as puffers get. I don't like puffers but I don't like freezing either. This one is packable. Are packable puffers as warm as the others? This one is 550, whatever that means. I know they come in 600 & 700 so I guess it isn't as warm as those. If it isn't as warm as those is a good wool one with thinsulate as warm as a 550 90% down 10% feathers coat? If it isn't any warmer then is it still better for travel than the wool because it is lightweight & packs really small? I prefer the look of the wool but it would take up most of a carry on suitcase. I could wear it onto the plane & then stuff it in overhead locker & hope it doesn't get ruined.

Also Angie do you wear a jacket under a puffer? I know you wear blazers or motos under coats but I'm not sure if that includes puffers.

There will be times when I need a puffer but I have no immediate plans to be in really freezing temps. I will be in Australia for all of December & January so I have time for PPP. If I love the tomato wool coat though I will keep it as it might be hard to find a coat I love for a while.

So I guess for someone who travels to cold places do I need a wool & a puffer? Is a packable puffer warmer than a wool? Are regular puffers & wool coats too difficult to travel with due to taking up room & weight in luggage?

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13 years ago

Anonymous

Hey, coat twin! Elle, I will leave this question for the cold-weather experts to answer. I am thrilled with the packable puffer for my particular needs, but sounds like you've got a different scenario.

Good luck!

lyn67

Veteran

Not Angie, but I know she buys all her coats (including puffers) to can layer jacket underneath.(I do this, too:-)) J
Oh, and just wanted to say say, I love that silver puffer on you!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I layer EVERYTHING under all my coats, so Lyn67 is spot on. I won't buy a coat unless I can layer my blazers and leather jackets underneath them - along with layering knitwear and thermals. I am Queen Runs Cold.

KILLER puffer.

Glory

I love the puffer on you. A packable puffer is a must for me and I have a long and short version. The colour is also great.

shiny

I'm in Boston, not NYC. The weather has been all over the map lately, and variable by time of day. For example yesterday it was 50s in the morning, hit 60 by late afternoon, and then at night it felt even colder and like November was already here. I was fine during the day in my sweater dress/short pleather jacket/scarf combo, but by night time I was really glad I didn't have to be outside for long, and it was definitely temps for 3/4 wool coat AND tall boots, rather than booties.

Usually by Thanksgiving it is reliably see-your-breath cold -- and I would be living in my Jcrew thinsulate lined wool coat for sure. So if the tomato coat works out (is it Jcrew?), I'd definitely recommend that coat.

As for the puffer, I also tried that one on (sadly it didn't fit). I would call this a lightweight puffer and I do not think it would be any warmer than a wool coat; in fact, the thinsulate lining may make the wool coat warmer. It would probably work fine for mid-November in NYC but not for January. Of course, a puffer has the benefit of being more packable for travel.

If it was me? I'd hold on to the puffer until you receive the tomato coat. If that one looks fabulous on you, take that instead and return the puffer if you can only keep one. Especially since you run cold.

ElleH

Thanks Shiny. I'm thinking you're right. Sadly I don't think it is a tomato it has a different name than last years red but we will see. It is J Crew. I'd prefer black but don't want the lint issue. I think a puffer needs to be the really warm kind to be worth it to me as I'm not a fan of puffers. Even though this is a nice one it is still casual & in NY I think I prefer overdressed to underdressed. I will need to get a very warm puffer for a January trip oneday. As far as being packable goes, I have a packable rain coat & a non packable but lightweight one but when it comes to warmth there is no way to avoid the suitcase filler upper. What do people do? Take nothing else? Take a huge case & pay for the extra weight?

Also to tell you how cold I run, I wear a shearling with faux fur lining in Los Angeles & a real fur (goat or sheep I think) without all the layers that Angie wears though. I don't want to wear any animal that people don't eat but I still feel bad wearing it, like people won't know it isn't one of the animals killed just for its fur. I am going to sell the fur & shearling. Perhaps I should look for a faux fur that is obviously faux.

I found a lot of coats including puffers have real fur around the hood. Why do they need to do that? The warmth is in the body of the coat?

Real fur doesn't get condensation from your breath frozen on it as easily. Otherwise you get big icicles flopping down in your face.

JenA

Elle,
I live just outside of NYC and I wear puffers when it gets really cold in Jan/Feb. I wear my wool/tweeds coats but I have to layer under them because of the wind.

Do you live in a warm climate year round and don't really have a need for several warm coats? If you only need one, I think the wool thinsulate coat that you can layer would be fine for November. With that said, I love faux fur and it's super warm -- I'm partial to faux snow leopard.

As for traveling, when my family travels (2 kids) during the winter we wear our coats to airport and then I put them all in a large lightweight nylon bag (the kind that zips into a pouch). Most airlines don't consider it even a carry-on and it makes going through security so much easier.

ps. I do love that puffer!!

Elle, I'd just carry it/wear it on the plane. You will want it the minute you arrive there - especially if you dress lightly so you don't get too hot at departure. Also if you are bringing tall boots, wear those on the plane too -- a pain to take them on and off for security, but worth saving space in your luggage.

I don't normally roll a coat up and put it in the overhead; I put it on the seat behind me and sit on it. You could alternatively bring an empty reusable tote bag with you, and put the coat in that, so it doesn't get mussed if you do stuff it in the overhead.

catgirl

550 is a bit lightweight - 600 - 800 is the norm for really cold climates. I'd say this is like a down sweater. That said, a lot of people use this type of coat here till DEEP winter. It's nice and it's packable. By the way, there is now waterproof down - I am seriously considering it.

http://www.trailspace.com/blog.....idown.html

Waterproof down sounds great Una. Thanks for the info on different down fills. I'm sure you know your warmth levels there in Alaska. I think I should save the down for a really warm one, given that I don't have budget or space for too many coats.

Yes JenA I live in Los Angeles. I think wearing it then taking it off as you & both Shiny mentioned is the answer.

Does anyone have a lot of lint problems with a black wool coat? I have a shedding kitty so I shouldn't even be considering it I suppose.

Say no to a black wool coat.

eleventhall

Active Member

Hi! I know this is a very old post, but can you tell me the brand of the puffer coat in your pic?

8 years ago

I don't recall the brand but it was at Nordstrom. Angie posted about puffers today. Good luck

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