Do I need this coat? ETA violet ordered - YouLookFab Forum

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Do I need this coat? ETA violet ordered

viva

Veteran

I am considering buying (yet another) winter coat. Right now I have:

JCrew sand wool cocoon, in sand, heavy and warm
JCrew peacoat, in bright pink, warm and short
Grey bell-sleeve wool, 3/4 sleeves, single clasp closure at chest -- definitely a fashion coat and best for transition seasons
Helle Hansen puffer, long and red -- just traveled with this to Denver and it was such a pain
Laundry black quilted trench -- this, to me, is the best thing I have for travel. It is water resistant but not at all warm.

I have lots of travel in the coming weeks, and I think it would be nice to have a lightweight coat that travels well. I tried the red Anthro coat that Bonnie G wears so well in her recent post, but I wasn't wild about the material for me.

Here are my questions for you:

1. Am I rationalizing? Do I need another coat?
2. If I get a coat, what do you think about the JCrew double-cloth collarless? I tried it on last year and I really like the style on me. It's on sale for about $190. It's final sale so non-returnable, but I know my size and I know how it looks on me.
3. If I get the JCrew double cloth, which color do you like?

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38 replies

Latest reply was from Glory

Jjsloane

Veteran

Hmmm. You wear a lot of black and white my friend. I'm not sure about either color. I think the purple would might look better on you, but the rust might play better with your wardrobe. Do you have either of these colors in your wardrobe? (not that they don't work well with black) I'm not the one to talk anyone out of another coat though.

Murph11

Veteran

Go for the radiant violet!

Helena

Veteran

Ok I'll be a party pooper - I don't think you NEED this coat. You have a good collection and a bright scarf might add the variety that one of these coats would. That said - they are really nice and would work well with your style. The purple would be gorgeous on you flattery-wise, but the rust would be right on-trend if that's your preference

shiny

Veteran

I'll happily enable you: you need not one but two more coats..... the purple is lovely! I vote for that one. Then it seems like you may also need a 3/4 length packable puffer... one that is super lightweight and can be packed in your bag and even layered underneath that Jcrew coat.

kkards

Veteran

i'll answer the your question with a couple more:
what is it about the Helly Hansen that makes traveling with it a pain?
and what makes the Laundry black quilted trench the best for traveling?
and which is this new coat most like?

retailgirl

Veteran

I vote for the purple! ESP. With a black and white wardrobe. But, will it be warm enough with that neckline and would that neckline fight with whatever you are wearing underneath?

Anonymous

I am not an enabler. But after reading the description of what you own and the fact that you are looking for a coat that travels well, I think I can say this fits a need.

I understand traveling. I want the best I can afford that will make my trip as stress free and easy as possible. If a new coat that travels well is the answer, I'll buy it.

Personally, I prefer the violet because the rust is trending (and to me that speaks of a short fashion life).

approprio

(website)

Veteran

Ok. As your random internet buddy, I'm staging an intervention.

Yes, you are rationalising. You do not need another coat. Another coat in your wardrobe carries with it an opportunity cost. You may just be settling because you feel like shopping and could use another coat.

Does this coat make your heart sing? Can you imagine travelling with it for weeks at a time? Will you still want to wear it next year? Is it so well designed and beautifully made that it transcends fashion? Does it feel like your ideal travelling coat? Can you build a serviceable travel capsule with coats you already have? And what's wrong with the Laundry coat?

(I like them both. Buy the colour that suits you and don't worry about being trendy.)

Anonymous

I think you need and want this coat. I think you'll be thinking about it next year if you don't get it.
@shiny: I love my ultra lightweight packable down coat. It is indispensable!

viva

Veteran

Travel is challenging - I do a ton of it, but I still don't know how to do it particularly well.

The Laundry coat is nylon and quilted, very thin but a nice shape, very sleek. Fine style wise. Great for packing. Terrible for warmth or snuggling of any kind: at the gate during a long layover, on the plane, in a cab, or walking from a hotel to work.

My wool coats are too heavy or too short to travel with.

My long puffer is too casual and too unruly.

Ack! Frustrating. But I can make the Laundry coat work, I think.

Debbie

Veteran

Take this opinion with a grain of salt. I think the about coat fills a hole as long as you love it. Traveling you are not always going to need a puffer. San Antonio is a prime example. You need an in between coat. I vote the violet.

approprio

(website)

Veteran

If it were me, I'd pack the Laundry coat and a shawl or scarf for layering/snuggling at the airport. If you don't already have a really good one, this is the thing you should be buying in my opinion.

I've said it here before and I'll say it again: a big ol' square of beautiful cloth to wrap around yourself is the sartorial equivalent of the intergalactic hitchhiker's towel. An underrated stealth essential in my book. I never travel without one.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Ok, I'm responding without reading the other responses so as not to color my impressions from what you describe.

It seems to me you could use a good travel-friendly coat that provides some warmth (but not so much to render it less than versatile), and longevity, but enough style to make you feel fab wearing it for years.

And yes, I think in years when it comes to coats. For what they cost and what they do, I tend to look at how a coat will live beyond a current trend and how it works with my style long term. I know you posed some questions for us, but here are some questions for YOU:

Do you love the cut, style and fit regardless of trend? Does it layer well so you can use it in a a variety of climates? Can you lug it through a warm airport along with your carry-on luggage without feeling like a pack mule? Does it require any fussing and fiddling to make it comfortable (is it easy to open/unbutton/unzip, does it require a scarf so it doesn't scratch your neck?)? Do you LOVE this coat and feel like you've been waiting for this one to come along? Is it a color you love, that works with your wardrobe, and know that you will enjoy wearing for seasons to come?

Just some ideas. I like that style for you, but I'm sensing a slight lack of enthusiasm.

gryffin

Veteran

Viva - I just faced a similiar dilemma. Coats are often the only thing we see in winter so they need to really earn their worth in style, warmth and function. I found I did not have a dress coat that could accommodate layers/blazers easily that was very polished. I have a lined raincoat which I love but they sleeves are slightly snug with layers and I feel polished but not glam in it. My other coats are casual winter that accommodate everything but not elegant. A full length black puffer which is great for warmth but not elegant. The vince double faced wool leather sleeve car coat - fab but sleeves too narrow and transitional wear at best same with the vince leather trim car coat- I love them both but limited usage. So I knew that this coat had to be special - warm but puffer warm, cocoon so it fit over layers, drop dead elegant but easy on and off, transcending trend and time. So I stalked the EF suri alpaca coat in charcoal. Beautiful, unusual, comfortable, elegant, warm but light - knee length so it covers almost everything. I had to wait for a sale to afford it but so worth it. If this coat fills the same need for you, it will be invaluable. But be practical - is it perfect? Do you love it? You've stalked it for a long time so it seems like you can't get it out of your head, so as long as it really ticks all the travel boxes, I would say go for it. This is the mother of all coats, in many ways the most important lynchpin. I think you know in your heart if this is it and which color to buy!! Good luck!!

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Yes, and purple.

Anonymous

As per Angie.

Sterling's points are bang on too.

I also travel a lot in winter months and which coat I bring is the single most important part of the entire trip it seems. It can make or break the ease of the whole time you are away. My camel EF coat is currently taking on that load. I LOVE the violet on you. And that price is not outrageous, and on a cost-per-wear basis? Seems like a good deal to me.

shiny

Veteran

Viva, that's exactly my impression of your current coat wardrobe, and why I think you do need to invest in another coat (or two) for travel.

I suspect you and I may even have the very same Laundry coat, as your description sounds very similar to one I own. It's cute and stylish, good in the rain, but not all that warm.

Since I live in Boston there's always room in my wardrobe for lots of coats. The coats that I take most often on my travels include:

1. The AT red coat I purchased this past fall. It is not super warm but perfect for Spring and Fall, or very mild southern winter temperatures. It's a length that can work with dresses. It layers very well, and the color makes me happy.

2. A sleek lightweight packable puffer in 3/4 length. I just invested in a new one recently, found on sale, to replace my metallic blush puffer. I went with Bernardo brand, in a beautiful ink blue that has some sheen, with pink & orange zippers. In other words, a stylish puffer. It's so thin and lightweight, yet it is warm enough for all but the coldest temperatures. What's more it packs up small so I can tuck it into my carry on.

3. Burberry trenches, 3/4 length. I have a rain trench and also a black wool trench. The wool trench is very warm, and yes it is heavy. I have no problem folding my Burberry rain trench (size 6) and tucking it into my carry on bag.

I rarely travel with shorter jackets as I don't find them as practical to go over dresses, or to provide coverage if it should rain or be colder than anticipated. I find 3/4 length more versatile for travel.

I also nearly always wear one coat, and pack a second one. For this reason, I love packable puffers!

Finally I recommend investing in base layers made of silk or merino wool, or that heat tech stuff, so you can pop them under your clothes as needed for warmth. I always pack silk long johns -- they are my travel pj's. And yes a big pashmina scarf!

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I like the violet color for you and I remember well that this coat looks good on you. It will make a great dramatic first impression when you come into a workplace from off the street.

However, is this really a travel coat? Can you sit down in it and be comfortable? If you fold it up and stuff it in the overhead compartment will it be fine when it comes out?

Approprio's views on life, the universe and [travel blankies] are relevant and useful.

shiny

Veteran

This is my new Bernardo puffer (pic 1)

ETA more coats...

pic 2 - Burberry wool trench

pic 3 - AT red statement coat

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Anonymous

Now I think I could use a packable puffer. Hilarious, given where I live, that I don't own one. Mine are all big puffy sleeping bags that would never get into a suitcase. I want a thin, sleek one right now. Sigh.

Shiny - where did you get this Bernardo number? Is it a brand sold in department stores, or was it from a gear shop?

shiny

Veteran

Lisap, I got it from Nordstrom's. I need petite for something like this, so I'd been stalking for awhile and finally pulled the trigger. When it first arrived, I didn't care for the zipper all that much -- it is white with pink and orange trim. In fact, I could have sworn the coat I actually ordered had a light blue collar and lining... I suspect they sent me the wrong version.

So I held on to it and then ordered an LLBean puffer that looked promising. The LLBean version was okay, it fit looser for layering, but it was just too bland -- a dull, rather than shiny, navy. So I returned the LLBean and kept the Bernardo. And surprisingly, the zipper is now growing on me quite a bit.... go figure!

I love that it can read sporty OR dressy. It is not for super cold temperatures though-- I have a bulkier puffer for that. We're having such a mild winter, I've only worn my bulky puffer once. It snowed on Friday and with temps around freezing, this puffer has been just fine. Remember however that I tend to skew hot rather than cold.

This is the second Bernardo puffer I've owned. The first one I wore to death. I will say that the down feathers can leak out of the coat (or did with my previous version; this one is good so far, no leaking). That doesn't bother me so much, and is worth the trade off in having a coat that actually fits me and doesn't overwhelm. I'd say the down is similar to Uniglo, a brand I'd buy if it fit me (it doesn't).

Echo

Veteran

First, I ADORE the violet coat, and I think it would be amazingly flattering with your colouring and wardrobe. Second, why does one have to fill a NEED with every wardrobe item? Isn't loving an item that you can wear fairly often enough? Realistically, almost everyone could get by with one, drab coat, but where's the fun in that? I live in a snowy climate, and coats are a way to express yourself in the winter. Sometimes it isn't about need, but instead is about injecting some fun and personality into your outerwear. I definitely think you should buy this coat - it's beautiful!

viva

Veteran

This is all so helpful! Still thinking through the JCrew purchase. In the meantime ....

Pashminas: Approprio, the cashmere wrap I purchased from Garnet Hill is proving to be really useful, so that's covered. Definitely helpful in airports and on flights! But, I still want a coat that works.

Travel pjs: I agree, Shiny: the right travel clothes are so important. Kit and Ace is wonderful for that! The cashmere content in their Ts makes them comfy and warm, so they are a terrific layer for travel. Also, the York pant is extremely comfortable for a long travel day. This has proven to be a great purchase and at some point I may buy another pair.

Packable puffer: I really can see the value in having one of these, although I might go for Uniqlo because they are so inexpensive. Lisap, given your travel locales, I think you need to find one of these pronto -- here is Shiny's coat, available at Nordstrom.

PS Shiny: I think you have the perfect triad of travel coats. That is my goal.

Women Light Warm Padded Parka

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Women Light Warm Padded Parka

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Bernardo Hooded Down & PrimaLoft Fill Coat (Regular & Petite)

$188.00 $119.90

Sale

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rabbit

Veteran

Both would look lovely on you I think though I slightly lean towards the violet.

I'm wondering about the heaviness versus the coats you already own since it sounds like you want something lighter weight like your laundry coat so my mind goes to a close to trench weight coat -- easy to fold up, layer under, wrap a scarf around, a wind and rain break that covers the top of the legs but can deal with a wide range of temperatures. I can't really tell how heavy the double-cloth coats are. They might be just right for this, or a little heavier and warmer than is easy to fold or carry over an arm or shoulders.

viva

Veteran

Rabbit: This is definitely a lightweight wool. It's why I didn't buy it the last time, even though I loved it. It isn't heavy enough to be a full-on winter coat.

So, to be fair, perhaps part of what is going on is that I just love this coat. Whoever said I have been stalking this coat is right.

I went back through the forum, and I first tried this coat on in February 2015, in black: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....crew-coats.

Then, I considered buying it in July 2015, when I saw it on ebay in red in my size. (You talked me out of it.)

I'm not sure what this all means except that I'm leaning more toward the purchase now.

BUT ... my local JCrew (45-minute drive) has it in stock in my size in black. I've always wanted a black coat -- and as you know I do not have one. If I DO decide to get this for its travelability -- and I do think it meets those requirements -- what do you think about black as opposed to purple? (Same price.)

Vivian

shiny

Veteran

You look great in that coat, but I'd go for the violet over the black. The violet would be absolutely beautiful with your coloring.

I have a lot of black coats but it's purely out of necessity, since it's difficult to find petite coats in colors other than black. But I prefer coats that are in gorgeous happy colors.

Helena

Veteran

So here is my opinion - if you are buying for love, then go for it. You've obviously been looking at and thinking about this one for a while. So - you need to buy the one you love and buy it for love!! Yes, it will serve a function in your wardrobe but in truth that's not really the point of the purchase, so don't get so sensible that you diminish the love factor in order to justify - it will defeat the whole purpose. Buy the one that makes you happy the minute you put it on.

Hope that makes any sense at all!

Echo

Veteran

I agree with torontogirl. Don't buy the black simply because it is closer or because it might be more practical; buy the colour that makes your heart sing. For me, that would be the violet.

viva

Veteran

I'm done agonizing, and I'm heading outside with the dogs. Thank you all for your help with this one!

And Shiny -- as a fellow New Englander, working traveler, and wearer of brightly colored coats, I found your advice particularly helpful.

Shiny and TG: Regarding the final color choice, your comments made me think of my most recent coat purchase. When I went to buy my much-needed puffer this year -- I gave my winter jacket to DD2 and did not have anything at all that was snow-worthy -- I went for lipstick red instead of black. Everywhere I go, women are wearing black puffers. They are definitely more sophisticated looking than I am, but that red makes me happy. Remembering that decision made me go for the violet. Its intensity makes me smile, and for some reason the color makes me think of my mother -- and I know that will make me smile, too.

Thanks again, all.

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