Coat Woes: K/R - YouLookFab Forum

OK, I'm slinking back after a long absence due to work craziness to seek some coat advice.

Background: I've been searching for a new wool coat to replace my old duffle coat for 2 years (I already have 2 puffer coats - this coat would be for fall/spring). I'm limited to petite sizing, which in coats is VERY limiting - the color and style selections are very small and I'm pretty much restricted to Nordstrom's, Macy's, JCrew, BR/GAP, and Talbot's. Even there, the color selections are often very limited in the petite sizing, and not all styles are available in petites. Also, I don't really want a black coat as black coats are pretty overwhelming on me.

I'm thinking about these two coats (and possibly keeping both):

1-7: Ellen Tracy swing coat from Nordies. The SA and I really like this one in the store. I'm not wild about the color, but it's not bad, and the only other options are black, camel, and a super bright teal/turquoise. I'm thinking of tacking the "slit" sleeves and putting a button there to bring the sleeves in (see photos 5-6). The material is not "shiny" the way it appears with the flash.

8-12: Kenneth Cole pea coat from Macy's. I really wanted a navy pea coat, but have had no luck finding one that fits well. This is cobalt, but not as bright as it appears with the flash (see the blurry no-flash photo in #11 for the true color).

Keep either or both?

Thank you for your advice, and sorry to not be around much.

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12 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Sarah, great to see you! I hope that work craziness will settle down for you soon.

In the meantime, that pea coat is an absolute slam dunk, as far as I can see. I LOVE it. I do not think this blue is too bright for you at all. It's fresh, happy, and wonderful. The proportions are fab for pants. And you wear a lot of pants.

I also like the swing coat. Is is a charcoal? I think you can make it work for you with the right scarf, and I think you'd be wearing a scarf most of the time in the cold weather, correct? Does that one have alpaca in it? It looks as if it might. If so, that makes for a very warm, lightweight, and luxurious feeling coat that seems a bit dressier -- which can be useful.

sarah

Suz, thanks for chiming in. I'm glad you like the pea coat color and don't think it's too bright!

The ET coat is charcoal, and I would most definitely always be wearing it with a scarf, gloves, and hat. It's a wool/poly/angora blend, so it's very soft and comfortable. It feels great on.

Kristin L

I love the blue pea coat! The color looks great on you.

I'm not as in love with the swing coat, but it does look nice on you. I think tacking the sleeve would be a good idea.

Anonymous

The blue pea coat is lovely on you! The other one is fine too, but needs more work to make it work for you.

nancylee

I like the blue pea coat better than the grey duffle. The duffle seems just ok. And, like Ceit said, it needs some doctoring in the sleeve.

Blue pea coat for the win!

catgirl

I vote blue pea coat FTW! Good to see you again. I am on the hunt for a wool coat myself - what a struggle.

Well, I'm glad the blue pea coat is getting so much love. Phew! I'm still thinking about keeping the grey coat, too, as I do also need something a bit dressier.

Una, it's a royal pain, don't you think? Do you also have to get petite sizes?

Golden

The blue looks great on you, color and style. The grey looks a little big and not as 'fun' but a nice coat.

I think I will need petite... I'm looking for a longer style. Do you plan to layer under these coats? Or are they for warmer winter days?

kellygirl

Squee! SO nice to see you, sarah! I LOVE the pea coat. That one is just perfect on you and I can see it working well in your wardrobe. The ET isn't as striking but it looks like a well-fitting, practical coat to me. It looks like something that will be easy to layer under and still look streamlined. Love that it has no belt or fussy details.

Have you tried LE already? I know they have petites. I don't know their selection but Astrid recently got a petite wool peacoat there too. They might have longer coats too.

Una, these will be for fall. I wear my puffer pretty exclusively for winter.

Kelly, thanks for the big welcome! I know I've been so lame. I tried two coats from LE last year, including the pea coat, which I thought looked awful on me, although I just saw Astrid's post and it looks SUPER fab on her. Perhaps it's better for a pear than for a rectangle...Otherwise, I wasn't taken with anything this year.

Momo

Love the pea coat! The other is nice but I feel it swamps you a bit.

Isis

Love the pea coat too! I wonder if the other is too big? It does look soft and cozy, and I like the way the buttons go up the neck....

ETA: Great to "see" you back! Hope work simmers down....

Parsley

Hi Sarah! It's good to see you again!

Well, the pea coat is a no-brainer- it's fabulous on you!
The first one looks fine, but I think you can do better. Why not hold out for one that is a little more exciting (and that maybe doesn't need alterations)?

Sona

no to coat one.
I like the pea coat but wish it were a little more fitted.

Sheila

It has already been said but the pea coat is wonderful on you. The other coat looks quite boxy and I am not so sure that the color is flattering to your lovely looks. I sympathize with your struggle to find well-fitting, stylish outerwear for petities. What is it with retailers?

Transcona Shannon

I'm sorry but I can't get past the cobalt pea coat - fab on you!

JillG

Active Member

Love the pea coat. That cobalt is a beautiful color on you.

Carla

KEEP...the cobalt pea coat. The colour looks amazing on you, and the fit (side view! Whew!) I like the charcoal coat too, but think it is too big. Can you size down? I think the charcoal isn't as harsh as black with your colouring (which I share, BTW) and a funnel neck is so comfy on nasty days.

Thanks for all the pea coat love, ladies! I took the tags off and wore it out - just in time, as the weather has turned nasty. I felt great.

I'm still on the fence about the other coat and whether I should try it in a size down. I wish the petite size came in the lovely wine color that the regular size comes in.

Caro in Oz

Glad you are keeping the pea coat. The grey looks a little heavy for you imo. I'd love to see the teal/turquoise ET on you is that possible?

Yay! You kept it! It's really a super coat, Sarah. I think that colour will grow on you more and more as you wear it. In darkest winter it is SO GOOD to have a bright colour on!

Aquamarine

Another vote for the peacoat! Not 100% sold on the other coat color or shape-wise, but it does look lux. It could function as a neutral coat for you...add interesting scarf, bag, boots, etc.

DonnaF

Glad you took the tags off the pea coat! I don't think the other coat is worthy of you in color or style; somehow to me it just doesn't feel like *you*. I vote to wait, and something better might come along. I assume that something like a trench with a zip in/out lining wouldn't be warm enough?

Good to see you back! As a fellow Petite, you make me so glad that I don't really need coats in my climate -- which means I don't have to deal personally with the frustrations that you do.

Jaime

Blue pea coat!

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