Coat reviews (FC, TNF, TT and Cole Haan)

I had a pile of boxes waiting for me when I arrived home this evening (thank goodness I got home before my husband!), all of them containing coats. I quickly tried them on, but didn't have time to style them as I had to get dinner made; I just put them on over what I wore to work today.

Photos #1-3: French Connection peacoat in blue, size 4. This seems a bit big, but I am only wearing a sleeveless top under it. It's also long in the arms (as expected - I'm 5'2"); I'm not sure how easy it would be to shorten the sleeves. The coat seems very well made for the price.

Photos #4-6: French Connection peacoat in black, size 4. This may be a tad smaller than the blue one, but nothing significant. It is also long in the sleeves. Both peacoats smelled awful as they were hot (sitting in a UPS all day in 90 degree heat).

Photos #7-9: The North Face parka in size S. I love the color of this parka! It is not as shiny as I expected it to be. I am amazed at how lightweight it is, but wonder how warm it will be in the winter (anyone know?). This is quite roomy, so I am eagerly awaiting the size XS to arrive for comparison.

Photos #10-13: Trina Turk Military coat in size P4. This fits much better than the P6 I tried on last week. I am not, however, wearing anything bulky underneath, so need to check out how it fits with some lighter-weight winter layers. I think I will keep this coat over either French Connection ones as the petite sizing works much better on me and I won't have to deal with pricey alterations.

Photos #14-16: Cole Haan lambskin leather jacket in size P4. This wasn't part of NAS, but I found it on sale on the website when browsing. I think it was the last one left, and it was 40% off. I don't *need* another leather jacket, but it's so rare to find a nice one in petite sizing. The leather is wonderfully soft. I live in Michigan, so the lightweight leather jacket season is very short. It seems to go from hot and steamy to cold and snowy here in a matter of weeks...

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Nordstrom

French Connection Wool Blend Peacoat

$198.00 $129.90

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Nordstrom

The North Face 'ThermoBall' PrimaLoft Hooded Parka

$230.00 $169.90

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Nordstrom

Trina Turk Wool Blend Military Coat (Regular & Petite)

$545.00 $299.89

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Nordstrom

Cole Haan Notch Collar Lambskin Leather Jacket (Regular & Petite)

$695.00 $429.90

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8 years ago

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I like the Trina Turk the best among these, but you should see how it looks with a sweater and any required under layers to be sure.

retailgirl

Re: the FC Peacoat...it should be easy for a tailor to shorten the sleeves. The strap is just sewn into the seam. I have LONG arms, so it was perfect for me.

Banoffi

Retailgirl - thanks for letting me know about the sleeves. I don't sew and never know if something is an easy alteration or not.

Suz

(website)

Well. All of these look great on you, but it does look like the TT is the easiest to deal with providing you can layer as you wish. Are the shoulders right on it? They look a bit puffed up or something but it may be that they won't be when you have normal winter layers beneath. I really love that coat -- it's so sharp.

I also adore the NF on you. That is such a happy colour and you look great in it! Did you see how Smittie layered the orange puffer under the TT coat? it looked adorable! The puffer is not a full winter weight puffer for my climate or I think yours -- but would be great to wear until it gets bitterly cold, if you know what I mean. Or layered. It's a gear coat so if you were in motion the whole time it might be warm enough for longer in the season. I can imagine wearing it on my daily walks but not when it got to -20C.

I like the peacoats on you, too -- but it seems the TT is the way to go here.

OH, and the leather is gorgeous!! It looks really soft. Did you try to make some outfits with it? I know the guilty pleasures of leather coats when you don't really have a season for wearing them. I do wear some of mine indoors as well.

catseye

Don't you have a Burberry peacoat? The FC coat may be too similar to it?

I love the TNF and TT coats on you. The leather jacket is fab too.

Catseye, I was wondering about that, too! But I think the Burberry is a much lighter weight coat, not winter weight? (Or at least not winter in Michigan weight). Unless I am mistaken.

Suz and Catseye - thanks for the feedback. You both have an amazing memory! I did buy the Burberry peacoat during last year's NAS, but I ended up returning it as a number of you on YLF noticed it was pulling in the front. I thought for the price tag, the coat should fit perfectly.

chouette22

I really like both, the FC and the TT on you. True, the sleeves of the TT fit much better, but that is an easy (and cheap) alteration. In the end, it just depends on how much you want to spend on a coat?

NF doesn't look too big, but it's good to compare to the XS.

The leather jacket fits you so perfectly and it's a classic shape, that would be hard for me to pass up too. I am in Michigan as well, and it just depends on your commute: from car to work they can be worn quite a bit, I find. If you have to be outside for longer, then their usefulness is more questionable.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

The TT coat and leather jacket are Killer, and my faves on you.

Anonymous

The leather jacket really wowed me. Great fit on you!
I also like the nipped in waist of the TT coat. The shape is nice on you.
TNF looks great in the S, but it's worth it to try the XS.

I would use the TNF jacket in early fall and late spring, so mid-September to late-October and then again in May with a medium weight sweater under it.

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