Angie, how cold is it there in the morning? Does it keep you warm then too? Even when left open?

Sparky-Anne, that's great. I think I need an XS, since CK usually runs big. Anyone know? I'm going there tomorrow so I'll see if I see it (unlikely, since my store hardly seems to stock anything). There is also a Macys and L&T in the same mall so I can probably hit up all 3. There has to be SOMETHING.

Jenava, I think that's too short Sad.

There is a B&M Bon-Ton near where I live. It's like TJMaxx and Marshalls.

I just had to add that leather trenches are not that warmer than regular trenches imo,.

Maya, I'll call Nordstrom tomorrow sometime in the afternoon to see.

I'd bet you would take an XS too.

Well, Maya, if you get a chance to check out BP it can't hurt to try them on. I'm guessing you'll think they're too short, though.

PS. I have a trench (it happens to be burberry) that doesn't cover my longer skirts - it hits a few inches above my knee, but has a wool zip-out lining. I've found it incredibly useful thing, as it can really be worn in all but the coldest weather. I would highly recommend going this route if trenches are something you would wear other times of the year.

Maya, I don't know if I'm going to help with anything, but I've seen this on a friend last week and it looks amazing.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/31.....tback=2793

That CK black coat was on my NAS top picks list. So was a very similar Miss Sixty peacoat. Several in fact. My dear Maya, you need to listen to me at NAS time

It's in the high 40's in the morning at the moment AND I walk fast with tea in hand. My moto jackets are closed and my scarves are wrapped for insulation. Hose and boots are the trick with cami and pullover underneath - or layered frock. By the time its in the mid 50's a few hours later I am plenty warm.

During NAS the focus was on footwear. I can't do coats and footwear at once. I just can't!

I can't close my moto jacket and it's too cropped, so that is a no go.

It's not too cropped. Mine is just as cropped and I run colder than you do it seems. Plus, you have the belted moto jacket too - which is longer. Don't say no before you've tried!

You can absolutely do footwear and coats at NAS time with a little help - which you receive

It seems that long wool coats are getting harder to find. I bought something very similar to this about 15 years ago, except that mine hits mid-calf ( ironically, it is the same color ) :

http://www.jcrew.com/womens_ca...../28231.jsp

It is the only coat that I have not replaced in that time period. It is incredibly useful.

I also bought a double face wool coat 2 years ago that hits me at the knee at it is like a heavy blazer. I LOVE it. Again, an expample :

http://www.jcrew.com/womens_sp...../79203.jsp

( I know they are very expensive, I just wanted to give you an idea )

Only if by "help" you mean money :p

I know it seems like I spend a lot on clothes right now--and I do--but only because I don't have rent to pay. I'm scrambling to get everything I can before I move out and once more have a very tight budget. But those OTK boots were expensive enough that I had to forgo any outerwear. And no one could have predicted they would hurt the way they did. Oh well. I'm going to Nordies today. If they can't help, maybe a lucky girl in Arizona will get my boots.

Isabel, I love this coat from J Crew but it looks so thin. I'm not sure it would be warm enough, even with Thinsulate. But I love the torch orange color and the shape.

Hey Maya this is probably useless but Overstock has the coat you linked in black, for less. http://www.overstock.com/Cloth.....oduct.html

You are right Maya. It is the kind of thing that you would have to layer with and use scarves. That is what I do with mine. Mine stops being useful under 30 degrees, that's when I switch to my kinda-puffer ( I am allergic to down, as is my daughter, so I have a faux puffer from Lands End ). But the double face works great when it is 30 degrees in the morning and 56 by noon. This is the type of weather where you can't get around layering. I am not sure about it with the Thinsulate....I wonder what the reviews say.

Good luck in your search !

( Edit : I just checked and there are no reviews, how odd )

Maya, I have the J. Crew double cloth coat as well. Mine is without the lining, but I wear it throughout the winter, even when I visit NYC in the dead of winter for Christmas. It's definitely warmer than it looks, and I imagine with the lining it will get you through most of the winter.

The one thing I don't like about mine is that the coat has an a-line shape (which I love), but the last button hits me at about the waist, and then the coat is open below. When I walk, it means that it opens below the waist and that can get chilly. I have other coats with similar shapes that don't seem to open as much from the waist down.

Steph and Isabel, ebay has a bunch of those coats. How is the sizing? I found one in poppy, which is a redder version of the orange, in a 2, which I may just put in an offer for.

Maya, my coat is a size 2 as well. It fits me well when I'm in a skinnier phase and is sometimes a little tight when I'm at the upper end of my happy weight range. I bought mine three years ago, so I don't know if sizing has changed at all, but if it hasn't I suspect that the 2 will be right for you (since you are thinner but bustier than I am).

Mine was a few years ago too. But I am a larger 4 AND I layer so I went with a 6 ( I find JCrew a little on the slimmer side for me : I size up in their sweaters too ).

Maya, why don't you have a "live" chat with one of reps at J Crew ? Or check out their sizing chart ?

I did just that Isabel! I think I need a 2 regular. This seems like the best option of all the coats I have seen so far.

Oh, goody, Maya, I hope it works out! You're bidding on a red coat from eBay, right?

Maya, I was out all day yesterday and didn't have a chance to call about the CK faux leather trench then, but I did call today. It's not in the store now in your size, but the SA has a list of stores that supposedly have it in stock in XS and has been working her way down the list. So far, nothing, but she hasn't finished and will call me back hopefully soon if she does find one. Are you still interested in it? Did you get to Nordies yesterday?

Sparky, no worries. I think I'm just going to let it go. It got REALLY cold today, as I'm sure you have noticed, so it won't be too long before I'm in my wool coat again. I'll focus on that and worry about a lighter jacket or coat at NAS 2011.

Thanks for looking though!

No problem. Yeah, I'm already pulling out my puffer a bit, but I run cold. My kids are still just wearing fleece jackets, maybe occasionally their down vests. DD is still in short sleeves. Ah to be young again. . .

I can't resist - told you so!

There is more method to my madness than you give me credit for, Maya. AND, by help I did not mean winning the lottery for you - I meant nudging you in the right direction at NAS time

I don't NOT give you credit Angie! That's not fair

I tried quite a few of your recommendations, and regularly buy the things you tell me to buy or put in the store. I just have to prioritize. I don't have a limitless fountain of money, even though it might seem like it right now. Good shoes are MUCH harder for me to come by than coats. I figured there would be an abundance of good coats by now. Who could blame me?

Anyway, today's weather made it clear that it's too late for that anyway. On to wool coats. There's a J Crew coat in red poppy with my name on it on ebay.

Maya, I also have the JCrew double-cloth coat (the Lady Day coat) and I love it. I got it with the Thinsulate lining and it is definitely warmer than it looks. It's also beautifully made.

Thanks Beth. It sounds very promising. The price, length, and color are perfect. It's more classic than I typically go for, but I love playing with winter accessories so it's probably better if it isn't too much of a statement.

Sorry to hijack, Maya -

Beth - that's interesting - I've been looking at the JCrew coat as well. May I ask how you found the sizing? They have a lot of pretty colors.

Maya, I bought and returned a different style J Crew coat in the poppy color last winter (ultimately kept navy). IRL, I did not like the color at all - way too orange for my skintone. It may suit you better but I like more blue-reds and this is a warmer orange red. FYI.

I haven't read through all the replies but in this transitional weather, I wear my non-leather moto jacket quite often. Mine is from Hanna Andersson and is quite old - maybe from 2004 or 2005?? Anyway, it's the same one I wore to the meet-up back in March. I'm not sure what the material is - a very heavy duty nylon of some kind?? Anyway, it's super windproof and has a nice felted interior. I can zip it up over a lightweight sweater, add a scarf and I'm set for 50 degree weather. I wear it with both pants and skirts. Any colder and I switch to a wool jacket - short or long. When it's 35 or colder, I've been wearing the puffer. I also have a quilted jacket that looks a little grandma but works well for the in-between weather too.

You definitely need a variety in this type of climate!!

BTW, I have a leather (real & vintage from MIL) trench and it's not warm at all!

Shana, I prefer warmer reds for myself, so that's good.

I don't know how real leather feels in terms of warmth. I only wear it on my feet. But I know faux leather is quite warm. The lack of breathability might be a problem for some in warmer temps, but once it starts to cool down it's a blessing. Your own body heat keeps you nice and toasty! I'll look for an outerwear version of my current jacket next year.