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Fine? Functional? Frumptastic? You tell me!

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

So I do have one fairly pressing wardrobe need this fall, a kneee-length coat to see me through our rainy falls. I insist on knee-length because of my love of skirts and dresses. Traditional trench styles seem to be non-existent in that length this season, which makes me cry. Add the lack of options in things other than black and it's a pretty barren landscape. The only thing I've found so far that even remotely fits the bill is this thing from Lands End.

http://www.landsend.co.uk/pp/S.....gin=search

I can't get much of a read on it, though. Is it single-breasted? What's the collar like? Is the wine grape colour the dark purple I'm picturing? And more importantly, is this coat just a frumpy mess? If so I'll go without.

Shopping

14 replies

Latest reply was from Scarlet

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Michelle, it looks like a trench but in A-line shape (no belt and waist definition). It is single breasted, collar is pretty simple and flat (I don't know really how to describe it). The color is deep red-purple, I personally like this color but I don't remember if you wear it...
It is hard to say from the picture if it is frumpy or not. I find that A-line coats look better when on the shorter side. I think we nee to see it on.
BTW, I hear your lament about the longer coat: I was on the unsuccessful hunt of one myself.

Queen Mum

Veteran

I think you can safely pass on this one Michelle. The lack of belt makes me think lab coat for some reason.

How does this one from Boden strike you? It comes in navy, red, and caramel.
http://www.bodenusa.com/en-US/.....vGroupID=2

Queen Mum

Veteran

or there are these from Macy's... the same one in regular or plus sizes.

http://www.macys.com/catalog/p.....bnwxXspb3g

http://www.macys.com/catalog/p.....b8w3t.vCgQ

marianna

Veteran

If you're okay with no belt/waist definition, I actually like the Lands End coat. It's simple and classic, but sometimes that's a good thing, and the color is great for you! The back has a little "belt" for some structure. I like it.

Queen Mum

Veteran

here's one at a 34 inch length... how long are you hoping for?

http://www.zappos.com/tommy-hi.....?zlfid=111

Nicky1234

I agree with Queen Mum. The shape is a bit frumpy, and shapeless. I would pass. I think a belt at the waist will be more flattering.

lynn

Veteran

I actually like this coat Michelle. The color is very pretty and I like a coat with no belt because tying a belt over a coat with any weight to it makes me feel thick in the middle. I know that is contrary to what most people think...maybe my height (5'4") makes me feel that way? Anyway, the belt on the back gives this one a stylish look to my eye. I think this would look fantastic on you!

ruthe

I'm not crazy about the coat from Land's End. I'm not liking the inverted pleat in the back. If you like a double breasted style the one Queen Mother showed from Boden looks nice to me.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I think you are looking for a longer trench coat, Michelle.

Like this:

http://www.macys.com/catalog/p.....3CD1tdRTMw

http://www.eddiebauer.com/cata.....581k108283

This might work too:

http://www.macys.com/catalog/p.....G0c1BaiUJg

Steph

Veteran

Michelle, I don't mind the Lands End coat, but it's tough to know how it will fit, since it doesn't have a belt or obvious tapering at the waist. The color is a beautiful purple that I think would look great on you.

I think you need a plus-sized coat, right? If so, the Boden coat and the Hilfiger coat that QM posted don't appear to come in plus sizes. However, the other Macy's coat she posted could be really great. It comes in a beautiful red that would look great on you, has waist definition, and is knee-length.

I'm not sure that the first two coats Angie posted fit the bill (sorry Angie!). The first one appears to be ankle-length, and I believe you said that knee length was very important to you. The second one is a better length, but it only comes in black and "steel," which is a silvery-grey color, and it sounded like you wanted something in a more exciting color (but maybe I'm reading into that and you just want non-black?). The last coat, by London Fog, could work, and it comes in both a deep red and a darker muted peacock blue. However, it is similar to the Lands End coat in that it appears to lack waist definition (difficult to say for sure, as model is holding a scarf in front of her chest and waist in the photo, so you can't really see the front of the coat that well--so annoying!).

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Steph, I hear you and I should have mentioned that with the longer coat. Michelle can easily have a coat shortened, but she cannot add on length. The model's height is a good gauge for Michelle's height as she often finds items too short.

Steph

Veteran

Angie, you're right--I hadn't even thought of shortening the coat (which is funny, since I'm five feet tall and have to get most things shortened!). The other potential issue with that coat is that it only comes in black and stone, but like I said, I might have misinterpreted Michelle's desire for a non-black coat to mean she wanted something in the jewel tones she loves so much.

Kristine

Veteran

I don't love this coat Michelle. It's a bit shapeless and while I don't mind the color, it's more grape koolaid than wine. I feel your pain but I think you can do better! I want to like Lands End because they're a local company but their cuts tend to be boxy.

Scarlet

Veteran

The Land's End coat looks functional and a classic A-line style to me. The color is more of a plum than a deep purple--there is a hint of red in the purple bringing it into the Autumn palette. I think it looks a bit shapeless possible because the model doesn't look plus-size, but it is a plus-size coat. Personally I own a very similar style in black that gets me a lot of compliments.

All of the coats Angie linked to are very attractive, but only the last one comes in a color besides black or beige. I really like the first style Angie linked to. It is also very classic, but more tailored than the one you found--or better modeled! Can't go wrong with that one.