Fall/winter coat keep or toss

Hi Ladies,

I would really appreciate your help in cleaning out my coat closet. These are all old (but mostly in good shape) and I am not sure they are still current and/or earning their spot. For consideration we have,

1. Hooded brown wool toggle coat. I love the idea of a toggle coat, but I am not sure the size and shape of this one is more than passable. The weight and quality is good, although it is starting to show wear on the (too long) cuffs. It's from a Nordic brand. I think they were cutting for a taller gal.

2. DVF cropped black leather pea coat. I bought this on sale once upon a time. I think it fits well but I have only worn it rarely as the crop only works well over dresses and skirts. I am on the fence. I could see wearing it again, but I am not sure if I don't have other things I could substitute, and I don't know if the cut is still current. At the time I thought it was the bee's knees. I just don't wear it often is the bottom line.

3. Diesel quilted coat. I loved this a decade ago in a warmer climate for my student lifestyle. Now I don't wear it much due to a colder climate and because I think the collar lapels might be dated? They just seem so large. I am sort of nostalgically attached, but on the verge of letting go.

4. June lightweight wool tweed coat with suede trim. One of the buttons needs to be repaired at the neck, and it could do with a press. Otherwise I love the idea of this coat (Hitchcockian), but it's just not that warm and the colors are a bit tricky.

6. Diesel fitted army parka. I have loved this coat dearly in the past, but now I am questioning if the cut is not dated.

Thanks so much for your help. I could have chosen more universal bottoms to try on with the coats, but the baby is napping and it was my chance, so no dilly dallying today.

ETA: in taking the photos, I realized I am not sure if the bust line on the parka on my enlarged lactating bosoms is not a disaster oh well, and this is why we take pictures.

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12 years ago

Anonymous

Oh please keep the pea coat! It looks great.

I like the toggle coat and the quilte diesel too! But I can see you getting a new updated coat to add in to the mix.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Scarlet, you look so smashing in everything it is hard to judge!

Could you get some money for the DVF if you never wear? I want you to keep and wear it, but if you won't, perhaps you can profit from it and put the pennies towards something new.

None of these scream "dated" to me. They all seem to have some virtues and some drawbacks. So really, it is a question of how worn they are and how practical for your current life, perhaps.

I could not wear the tweedy one because it wouldn't be practical for my climate at all. So I can't judge that one too well.

By the way, what are your boots? They are great.

Ingunn

I think all of these are current enough. My personal favorites for you are #1, #2 and #5. I love the DVF peacoat! The only one that doesn't do you justice is maybe #3, but it is still a nice topper.

Scarlet

Hmm, in the face of the love for the DVF, maybe I should try to see if I can work it into my wardrobe more often.

Suz, my boots are from the summer sale from comptoir des cotonniers, but they came out with something very similar for winter (link below). Their sale prices this summer were very good, but I don't know what the access is from Canada.
http://www.comptoirdescotonnie.....epite.html

jayne

I second Ingunn.

sarah

I like 1, 2, and 3. Just love those toggle coats ; ). Love the color of 3 on you, and 2 is just plain fun. I'm not so in love with the color/shape of the tweed coat, and the lady parka is OK, but isn't completely grabbing me.

annagybe

I'd say get rid of #3. Rest I'm fine with.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Scarlet, I'm going to be ruthless. I vote keep #1 and pass on the rest.

There is something about the collar of #2 - DVF cropped coat - that is overwhelming your frame. Or perhaps I need to see a better photo?

Deborah

Scarlet, the style of #1 kind of surpasses fashion. It seems to always be around and has a good vibe. I adore #2 but if you don't wear it??? I note Angie's comment re the collar but I am getting a slight retro vibe from it. The others I think you could pass on.

Jeanie

I second Deborah.

unfrumped

#1 is my favorite too! It looks easy and classic and fits your frame. The others are more meh.

Jaime

I need to do this with my coats. I think #1 is worth keeping unless you feel it is too worn out and then replace it with something similar. I love #2 but think it might work better with flares or an a-line skirt to balance the top. I would keep the last one if it is the warmest until you find the right replacement. The rest seem disposable.

amiable

#1 is my favorite, but I think they're all okay. I don't really like #3 - but it's probably more me not getting it than it is that the coat isn't great

Isabel

Wow, this is tough because you look good in all of them. To me they are all great, except for #3... I am neutral on it. But definitely not bad, just not great.

MsMary

I'm with Angie! I like #1, but other than that I think it's time for a fab new coat or two!

Wow, this has been fantastic! And score one for a classic coat, since the toggle coat seems to be one everyone can agree on. It has a couple more years good wear in it. The cuffs are just starting to show their weave pattern instead of felt, and for my casual world, that's fine.

So interesting about the divide on the DVF. I am inclined to heed Angie, because there must be some reason I only wear this jacket when nothing else works with a dressy outfit.

Angie, thanks for being ruthless. It's just what I need. I haven't done a good purge for years now, and it's time to clean house.

I think my decision is to keep the toggle coat and let the rest go. I feel lighter already. Thanks for everyone who said they like the coats. At least I don't have to feel bad for wearing them for several years!

Lantana

I call #1 a duffel coat and to me it's a timeless item. A keeper for sure.
The following two jackets with their big collars look dated to me but the caveat here is that I know Nothing About Coats. (mine is a coatless climate, basically.)
The Hitchcock coat is appealing. Maybe spruce it up with a dry clean or have it dyed?
I love the Deisel. Keep it too.
It reminds me of movies set in New York, a strange connotation I know but valid for me because that's the only time I get to see a coat like that.

CocoLion

I think 1 and 2 are on trend. I would definitely keep those. The rest, I would pass on. You are looking to be in great shape btw!

PS the sleeves look OK on 1 for me, at least until you find that fantastic new coat that you are going to make room for.

goldenpig

I like #1, 2 and 5, but I see that you already made your decision! I don't see anything wrong with the parka and your lovely nursing bosom, by the way!

So after the additional feedback, I am thinking to put my army parka in a box first to see if I am really ready to part ways this winter. No doubt the sting would be lessened if I find a new fabulous coat.

Lantana, duffel, that's the word!

Denise, what a nice thing to say, thank you.

Natalie, thanks for being so positive. I shouldn't complain because I am lucky it's all worked out so well, but it is a bit like going through puberty all over again with all the changes to your body! I had to iron the pocket flaps to keep them in place.

Nothing wrong with a holding zone. Go for it.

I vote keep 1 & 7!

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