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Fit Questions: What Size Am I, Anyway? ETA: Now, What Colour?

Alana in Canada

(website)

Veteran

Hello!

As some of you know, I am looking for a winter coat, specifically a pea coat that I will be able to be worn in fairly cold weather.

JenW found me this one at Land's End:
http://www.landsend.com/produc.....c=CJ-_-Lan

What size should I order?

My measurements are
chest: 45.5"
hip: 54"

In the 18W, the "garment" chest measurement is 51"
The sweep, (ie the bottom of the coat) is 56 1/2"

Will this be enough room to wear a cardigan underneath? (I will not be wearing a blazer). Is 2 1/2" at my hips enough room for the jaunty swing of a peacoat or will it look silly once I have a pair of jeans on underneath? I have no clue.

The 20W measurements are as follows:
Chest: 53"
Sweep: 581/2"

I have no idea what any of this actually means.

Oh and compounding the problem: I measured my arms as LE suggests: from the middle of the back of my neck, arm crooked, to my wrist--and my arm length is 30"

the armlength for the 18W is 34 3/4"
How difficult would it be to take up this sleeve?

Thank you all so, so much.

Shopping

27 replies

Latest reply was from Alana in Canada

kerry

Veteran

Hey Alana, I own this coat. It's nice. I bought the 10P for the shorter sleeve length. I would say my chest measurements don't match the sizing chart. I measure about 38.5 in the bust and the 10 is 37 inches. Having said that, I'm a 10 in almost all things across brands. I don't know what the sweep measurement is for the 10P but my hips are about 42 inches and there's not a lot of extra room. I can't wear a bulky sweater under this coat. I prefer to wear it open with the collar popped (it was the collar that drew me to this coat) I don't love the look of a double breast on my ample chest.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Last question first - taking up the sleeve of a wool coat normally is no big deal, even with a lining, but since that coat has those tab details it might be a bit trickier.

Normally I would say order both sizes and try them on, but Canadian shipping might make that prohitibive. Do you have any well-fitting winter coats that you could measure for a comparison?

I find Lands' End runs big - if I'm ever deciding between sizes I go with the smaller one. But I haven't bought coats from LE in a while. My instinct would still be to go with the 18w; for me personally, 7" of ease in the bust would be too much.

Windchime

Veteran

No advice for your fit questions, Alana, but I'm delighted that JenW and you found a beautiful coat that might work out, probably for quite a bit less than you thought you'd have to pay.
Oh, and for your January bday, could you defer buying something-- perhaps a cardigan or jacket (sorry, I don't remember your list right now) and ask for that as a bday gift? I have a January bday, too, and did exactly that this year with a dress and cardi. It definitely helped stretch the clothing budget!

Good luck with the coat!

Alana in Canada

(website)

Veteran

Kerry,
According to the size chart, your garment chest measurement for the 10P is 42" The sweep is 46. (37 is "body chest" whatever that means.)
I just checked, the largest size available in Petite for this coat is a 12.
I am sorry to hear you cannot waer a sweater underneath. According to the numbers--you even have 4" to "play" with.

Laura,
actually shipping is very reasonable--it is free on orders over $50 (I believe, don't quote me, $8 otherwise.) But did you notice anything strange?

No 20W.

Measuring my current winter coat is a good idea. Thanks.

lari

alana, shortening the sleeves is a super easy job and not that expensive. If I were you I would order both sizes to see which fit I like better. it is the best to try things on. the return costs $7.95 I think, and LE is super prompt in refunding money. if you don't want to order both, take measurements of your best fitting winter coat and compare to LE. it would give you a good approximation provided you are happy with a fit of you current jacket/coat.

Alana in Canada

(website)

Veteran

Xpost--thanks Windchime! My birthday tends to be ignored as we are paying stuff down from Christmas, usually, lol! (My husband's is two days later than mine--we ignore his, too. :))

Windchime

Veteran

No advice for your fit questions, Alana, but I'm delighted that JenW and you found a beautiful coat that might work out, probably for quite a bit less than you thought you'd have to pay.
Oh, and for your January bday, could you defer buying something-- perhaps a cardigan or jacket (sorry, I don't remember your list right now) and ask for that as a bday gift? I have a January bday, too, and did exactly that this year with a dress and cardi. It definitely helped stretch the clothing budget!

Good luck with the coat!

Windchime

Veteran

Good grief--sorry about the double post!

SW Ann

Veteran

Just a thought to add --here in the US we can take our LE purchases that don't work out to our local Sears.....don't know if that is possible there, or if you even have a Sears nearby....but worth you knowing if any of that is possible in Canada. BTW I've found LE to run large but haven't bought a coat here in awhile. Hope you figure out which one to order because that is a cute coat at a good price....

Alana in Canada

(website)

Veteran

SWAnn --Haven't a clue about Sears. I will have to ask, though service is so poor in our stores I doubt anyone will actually know.
Blast, this is the third time writing this out.

Should I order the charcoal grey or the blackberry?

The grey is classic, it would go with my hair and the boots I hope to be able to buy. I look great in grey, too and the sky would be the limit for colours in scarves, hats and gloves.

The purple colour is also great: my winter neutrals will be grey and navy (or black, depending on what I can find) and my colours: Off-white, blue and cranberry will all work. I look good in purple.

It is too bad 18W is not available in navy or raspberry--but then I'd be torn between those two, lol!

PIKOLINOS 'Brujas' Boot

$254.95 $127.47

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Women's Regular Luxe Wool Pea Coat

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lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I like Garnet in 18W :p - I know that's not one of your choices. I like the purple, but the grey isn't bad.

Grey is pretty common here for winter wear, if that helps ...

Alana in Canada

(website)

Veteran

Lyn* I amnot sure what "garnet" is as a colour--I am more of a blue-red gal myself....but if it is...then yes, a consideration. I simply forgot bout it in my messing around.

The fact that everyone wears grey is a vote against, in my book. I like being different.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

You used to be able to do that with Sears and Lands' End but it's not possible where I live any more. Maybe in bigger urban centres. Worth checking.

Regardless, the returns are not too onerous.

It sounds as if you like the grey and since it's one of your best neutrals, and this is a main coat, maybe that's the way to go. Confession: while I also love grey, and my own puffer coat is a deep blue-grey, I am SO HAPPY that my wool coat is cranberry red. I just get so so so sick of grey everywhere for five months. Or more. You know? But I live in a limestone city, so here it is even worse than elsewhere....

SW Ann

Veteran

I'm a "red" girl but I think you can't go wrong with gray esp with all kinds of gorgeous accessories in any color you want.....

E

Veteran

Have you measured your current coat? That's how I figure out what measurements work best for me: compare it to something I already own & love the fit of (instead of my body measurements).

abc

Veteran

Looks like you're sorted in the coat. Thanks to you I now have two new finds haunting me. The cranberry coat at an excellent price and those boots!! If you don't mind me asking what's your calf measurement? I have let's say healthy calves and have a hard time fitting retail boots but was hopeful when I saw these. Let me know! Thanks.

Jen W

I'm so excited that this coat may work out for you! If you are a fan of reds, check out the garnet color, which is a deeper red color. Also, make sure that the % discount is applied when you order. My iPad isn't showing the 25% off the on the counter items, and tomorrow the coat should be 50% off the original "offer". I also usually choose my smaller size in LE. I did size up in the wool coat I purchased but it has princess seams, so I went with the larger of my 2 sizes since my waist is not my smallest measurement. At 50% off the $74 tomorrow, it may be worth it to order both and pay the return shipping. I am excited to see whatever you choose!

Alana in Canada

(website)

Veteran

Good grief--so I tried to measure my existing winter coat and I have no idea if I am doing it right. The sweep is about 61" but the coat is long enoughto cover my bottom. As well, I have no idea how to measure the chest area. Do I have someone do it while I wear it, or what? Are there you tube videos on such things? Maybe you should make one, E!

And while I measured it, I remembered: the plastic zipper is at that point where if I sit down wrong, the zipper will split from the bottom, it is missing a button (though I have it to sew back on) and one of the pockets has a hole big enough for my car keys to fall through.) sigh. But it is my deep winter coat and it will pull through just one more year, right? (It is seven years old.)

JenW--how do you know the coats should be 50% off tomorrow? Thanks for that. If they are, Suz, and SW Ann, I'll get the red and grey. You have convinced me.

A limestone city--that sounds lovely. Seriously.

abc: I have not actually tried the boots on, yet. They won't be in a store here until August 15th. Fingers crossed they fit us both!

E

Veteran

LOL

Ok, I'm measuring to compare to ebay/etsy measurements. In that case, the chest measurement is done with the garment laid flat (and closed), then measured armpit to armpit. Double that for the 'around' chest measurement. I'd assume Lands End does a similar thing, but of course I'm not positive.

I ordered the same Pikolino boots to try, so I'll be sure to measure around/check to see buckle adjustments for you & abc.

I'm sorry your current deep winter coat has so many issues. I hope it holds up until the post holiday sales!

Alana in Canada

(website)

Veteran

Thank you E. I'll measure in the morning--and maybe do some sewing on that poor ol' coat.

And oh, how exciting will tomorrow be? My first on-line clothing purchase.

I do hope a pea coat doesn't make me look too much like an ice cream cone with all that bulk on my upper body. I'm asking a lot from a pair of boots I don't even know will fit.

PS. I've been shopping Inge's picks from Land's End in this post to add to my order.

Jen W

Sorry that the measuring has been so difficult Alana! Hopefully with a little love your coat will make it through.

The deal with the on the counter items is that they are trying to clear the merchandise. They offer the items on Saturday, then they are supposed to go down 25% on Monday, 50% off on Wednesday, then 75% off on Friday. The prices in the right column should reflect that percentage off, but didn't today when I was looking at the colors to see your options. Maybe call to place your order tomorrow if it doesn't show up as 50% off? But I would get online first thing to check. These items go fast once the discounts get that low.

Alana in Canada

(website)

Veteran

Thank you JenW!
I've placed the order for the coat--what a fabulous price! Only the garnet and blackberry were left--so I was "forced" to order the garnet, lol! I don't mind at ll. I hope we like it. (And by we, I mean everyone here, as you know I will do a K/R post.) I bought a few other goodies Inge picked out for me, too.

Women's Plus Size 3/4-sleeve Merino Shawl Pullover

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Women's Plus Size Supima Turtleneck Sweater

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Women's Plus Size Year Round Cashmere Balletneck Sweater

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E

Veteran

Very exciting Alana! I hope everything works out & fits you just right/looks as good as in the photos. And that your mending doesn't take too long.

Alana in Canada

(website)

Veteran

E --Thanks!

Jen W

I love the garnet and can't wait to see it on you! Glad you got the great deal too. Those tops look lovely. I'll be looking forward to your K/R post!

Mia

Veteran

Love the choice of "garnet" for you. A jewel tone winter coat can be such a spirit lifter on a gloomy day too!

Alana in Canada

(website)

Veteran

Thanks JenW and Mia. I expect it may take up to two weeks.