Gave away the coat off my back

last night at the birthday dinner/party, to one of the birthday girls. She was wearing a ridiculously small knit black coat that came up 3/4 the way on her arms (and it was NOT a 3/4 sleeve coat!). I had on my Reaction wool pea coat that is a size 6 and oversized on me. I suggested a switch. Being that she's 5' 10", it fit her soooo much better. The sleeves of her coat are barely long enough on 5' 4" me.
Instinctually, I started looking for a replacement pea coat this morning. But now I'm wondering if I should just do without. I have a herringbone knee length coat, a full length black wool overcoat, a black trench, black fur collared bomber and various other outerwear coats.
Is a pea coat a basic that someone in my climate *needs* or, in my interest of streamlining my wardrobe, can I do just fine without??

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13 years ago

Sylvie

Veteran

Mo, that was very generous of you. Your friend got a coat that fit her perfectly but in return you got one that didn't fit you at all.

You probably *can* live without a peacoat but I don't think you should have to. Rather than expending the energy to hunt for one, why don't you put the peacock on the "if I find the right one someday" list. Since you have other winter coats, you'll be warm enough for the time being. Someday you'll be browsing online, see a really fantastic peacoat and want it, just for the style, color, fit. Won't you be glad then that you didn't rush to fill the peacoat sized hole earlier?

harmonica

#2 is great! And no, you don't *need* a peacoat. You seem pretty well covered with the other outerwear you have. BUT a peacoat *is* really nice and could be on your long term wishlist.

I live with long winters too and do not have a peacoat, but it is on my longterm wishlist. I am pretty well covered with parkas and two coats for dressier events. Especially one from Busnel because of the great wool quality and the retro vibe

Happy girl who got a wool peacoat! That was really kind of you! Maybe a YLF side effect

(website)

Good thinking, Sylvie! I will put in on the 'keep an eye out this year' list and not immediately hunt. You are right, it is the tail end of the season, and I'm bound to stumble upon a great one at some point over the next half year. (it's so hard to fight the urge to hunt for wardrobe holes asap!)

CocoLion

I agree with the others that you can be on the lookout for that perfect peacoat. Is picture #1 the one you gave up? You gave up a very nice coat. Do you have a picture of the new one?

I would also suggest a light colored trench with zip out liner. I wore my beige trench (does not have a zip out liner) while in Tahoe and it worked on all but the coldest nights. Perfect for spring and a classic for many years to come.

Amy

Sylvie's advice is good..and Mo, you are a sweetheart!

Yes, #1 is the coat I swapped. Funny thing, I had bought it off a gal who bought it off the original owner, who was also at this party. So the coat had 3 of it's owners in the room lol. Nothing like getting good mileage!
Thinking on it, a pea coat is something I would like to have in my closet again for next winter, but I want single breasted instead, and maybe a more fitted waist. I realize my other coats are either short or long, but I now do not have that perfect just below the hip length.
Denise, I do have the black trench, but it does not have a separate liner. I'll pull it out now in leiu of the pea coat and see how it works for the coming spring.

christieanne

You are a sweetheart! I think upgrading the pea coat somewhere along the line is a good plan. How long are they saying this cold snap/snow will last in the Sierras? This is the weirdest Spring I can remember although I have been turned around for bad snow conditions before Shingle Springs back in the 80's.
In any case, you probably have coats covered for a bit.

Jenava

Haha, that is funny! Very sweet of you. Agree, you seem covered for now. I own a brown military style peacoat I hardly wear. Maybe I should send it to you!! (-:

modgrl

How about something in a color? These all seem similarly dark toned.

Suz

That was super sweet of you, Mo. And now you have an excuse to look for a great new item!

rae

How sweet of you! I agree with the others - you are in a perfect situation to take your time and find the *perfect* replacement, should such an item present itself in your travels.

Kristin L

That was so kind of you! And I agree with the others. I think your other coats will be sufficient for now, but keep your eye out for the perfect pea coat. I feel like when you go out in search of something that you need, you never can find the perfect one until after you bought one that you only half liked.

Fruitful

No advice - just wanted to say what a lovely thing to do! And smart - you have offloaded something that was less than perfect and don't have to put energy into it anymore!

ManidipaM

Mo, such a wonderful thing to do! And I have to say the swapped coat looks very good on you too.

I agree with Sylvie's advice --- you needn't go out with searchlights yet. Wait for the perfect one to appear in your sights instead. You won't be too cold with everything else you have, hopefully, so functionally you *are* covered. Meaning the hole is purely aesthetic. And that herringbone coat is gorgeous!

What a lovely thing to do for your friend!

I agree with the others, wait and stalk.

Deborah

What a lovely thing to do Mo. It doesn't look to me like you 'need' a pea coat, but i think you should just keep your eyes open for one and when the pefect one comes along nab it!

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