Thread Jack: Nemosmom, I want to talk re-waxing with you. I have a J. Crew utility coat that I would like to refurbish. May I PM you? And, on that note, La Ped, I found that coat surprisingly useful even in my former (your current) climate. Even more useful here in the temperate zone, of course. But it is surprisingly great to layer and keeps wind out. Plus, the pockets!!!!
On the subject of outerwear, having been a "one coat, even in Canada" woman before YLF, since joining I have been collecting quite an assortment. And, I am here to tell you, IT HELPS!!!!!! Not only with keeping you appropriately warm and dry (not to be sniffed at) but also in preventing the winter doldrums. Coats are expensive and that can be forbidding, but honestly, they rarely go out of style, so you can have them for a good long time.
As others said, without knowing all your activities, it is hard to predict what you need in addition to what is there, but in my own life, I would recommend the items Smittie suggested. I would also need a non-gear, semi-presentable parka or puffer, knee length at least. (On my personal wish list is a midi puffer coat as well, but I still haven't pulled the trigger on that.)
Below, you can see my long trench, shorter trench, and waxed utility coat. The short trench and utility coat are absolute workhorses. I rarely wore the longer trench in my former climate but have already worn it a fair bit in Vancouver, FWIW.
These are coats for temperate weather but they can be worn with layers underneath in spring.
Somewhat warmer than these are the Snow Queen coat, the boiled wool pea coat (a workhorse) and the Danier mixed media coat. Also the semi-gear North Face parka and the light down jacket.
Warmer still and dressier than the light puffers -- the J. Crew wool cocoon coat and the Hilary Radley wool and alpaca. (The Hilary Radley and the Danier are back in Kingston).
Warmest are my trusty (aged) Lole puffer and the newer Quartz -- neither of which I actually brought to Vancouver, so not in current rotation.
I also have a leather jacket that can be indoor and outdoor wear, and of course I have a bunch of blazers and some denim jackets. I don't really consider those outerwear, although I wear the denim jackets as outerwear in the summers.
Is that a lot of coats? I wear them all, and still want/ could use:
1. A LONG (midi) puffer that looks a bit dressier to wear with midis. (Duh!)
2. A NAVY (as opposed to black) trench.
3. A really great upgrade replacement for the pea coat.
4. A longer military style coat in navy.
5. A light coloured or bright trench coat.
Yes, I have a thing for coats. Several of these were gifted or bought on consignment and I got the J. Crew for $100, which seemed a steal to me!
