It IS funny about the WOW factor.

Also, you know, I agree with Auburn about trying a size down.

I do think price matters somewhat, whether or not one has it to spend freely. It's important to get value for money.

I got this coat in shiny blue for this year. The skirt actually bells out too. I like that shape.

Oh, Angie, my apologies if it sounded like I was saying your response to Una's coat was AT ALL reflective of your personal style choices. You, of all people, are able to see beyond your personal style choices to see what works for another person's different aesthetic. That's why your opinion carries so much weight.

The point I was trying to make was that one's fashion choices ultimately ought to reflect one's personal aesthetic. It's nice to have affirmation, but, ultimately, each one of us ought to decide what makes our heart beat faster and feels right for the image we want to project. The basis for my comment was my realization that, much as I loved the look of your coats, when I tried on a similar style, the lady-like look just didn't feel right on me.

*hanging my head in shame*

Gee. This is tough. You really like it and ultimately that's all that matters because no one can vet every clothing item or purchase via a forum survey--we'd all go mad.

I like it less IRL. I don't think it's especially flattering and I can try to say why but obviously that has to be because I have some idea of what that is, and it doesn't have to be your idea.

I think the belled out shape from the side view just looks weird in something as substantial as a coat, as opposed to ligher material in a dress, say. But if that is an intentional look you like, then, that's a style goal. I think it looks more girly and less edgy than I thought was your style, but I am new and not super well-versed on that. Perhaps that is the P in UWP!

I THINK I think the IT shape can be more celebrated than compensated for in a coat--again, I think that way because of the bulk of a coat. What is it about the length that you like? To me it looks like just the wrong length--not short, with a lot of leg, and not knee+ length. The zipper horizontal line to my eye comes at the wrong place for the remaining amount of coat--it isn't at the best part of your waist area, and it doesn't divide the coat so that one part is a lot longer than the other--these are likely "conventional" dimension ideas so that's okay if it doesn't work for you.I do think it is best worn just as the full coat and I can't see the crop being better than your other jackets.

You know, I wish I could see you in other styles of coats, since I'm really not looking at this coat just as-is, but somehow comparing it to some vague idea of a coat you OUGHT to be in. Maybe my mind's eye is putting you in something that to you would look too predictable, or something I think is flattering to you, you go, yuck, that make me look ___ or whatever. Also, winter coats, while they can look fab, also are a tough look because ultimately we are putting ourselves in a lot of thick material and when really worn to be warm, and not gayly tossed on like a fashion model striding along in mild weather, don't always behave according to the rules.

These thoughts may annoy more than help. I'm just trying to say that once I see it, I am not able to translate what it is about it that you think you like, to my own ideas of what makes me go "wowzer" when I see an outfit of yours. Again, we all can see that that can be from misperceptions of style goals or trying to steer someone to one's own preference and not a true compass for you to follow.

I don't know. I don't love it on you. I find where the zipper falls on your body looks awkward, and I don't like the zipper with the buttons. It doesn't look to me like a coat that costs that much (not saying that everything expensive looks expensive though). I am sure in person the details like the stitching and fabric would come through better, but the photos just make it look like basic shiny polyester. It looks like someone took a couple sleeping bags and made a coat (sorry for the awkward description, but the diamond vs horizontal quilting looks strange to me).

But, that being said, if you feel amazing in it, that is the most important thing. It certainly fits you in the shoulders, and the length is nice and I like the silhouette.

I really like this coat for you, Una. I like the zipper, the flare, and the crop.
Yes, I think you should have the sleeves shortened, but that's no big deal.

As helpful as this forum is, I think sometimes it's difficult to make personal purchasing decisions by committee. The bottom line is that you have to please yourself. If you love this coat, then by all means keep it and enjoy the heck out of it!

ummm am i missing a photo or a link? i am confused. wanted to see the burberry jacket

editted: never mind, i found it!

I stand by my original comments - I feel it is very much YOU with the details and fit.

Here's a question for you - if you hadn't of posted a Keep/Return on this item, how would you feel about it?

Shannon, my only issue before posting was the sleeve length. Otherwise I was madly in love. I was a bit surprised yhat not everyone is as enamored. Isn't that how love always is? :-).

Since I have time, I'm trying hard to clear my head to see what those who don't love it see. That may take some time or I may never see it. And THAT makes me wonder if I'm fashion-deaf as some people are tone deaf. It's a great mental exercise for sure!

Thanks for asking.

You are not fashion-deaf! I would leave it for a day or two and then try it on again and see how you feel about it. Try it with a few different outfits to test out versatility. Bottom line Una is YOU are the one wearing it and know what your needs, climate and desires are...trust your gut.

Una, of course you are not fashion deaf!

And love needs no excuse.

I still feel as I felt first time around. Zippers are a yay from me. Both objectively and for you. Sleeves are a non-issue. Crop is fun and cool and I suspect in Alaska you could even layer the crop under other coats if you wished. (Yeah, some people will think that is nuts, but I can imagine doing that myself and really getting good use from it.) I can also understand absolutely why this overall coat length appeals given your penchant for tunics. Makes total, total sense, as does the coat's shape (from that point of view). You could wear it an not think your flared tunics were getting crushed and mussed.

I still think the bell shape or flared bottom looks weird from the side and back. But maybe it doesn't in real life.

And what matters most is how you feel. If you adore it, it really doesn't matter what we think. It is "you" and you will wear it brilliantly.

So. Trust your gut.

Pffft, fashion-deaf, she says. This from she of the famous UWP sweater, Matrix leather jacket, Ted Baker dress, and killer Equipment shirt collection. If you're fashion-deaf, then my mom is right when she says Nirvana is just a noisy racket.

Una, I didn't realize that this jacket was so controversial and I note that I added my comments to your earlier post because you asked:). What I probably should have added is that aside from the sleeves the fit looks perfect. If YOU love it, and YOU feel it's worth the $$$, and if YOU feel confident this coat is going to have a long term role in your wardrobe then you should keep it. I am not convinced that this coat is translating well in the photos which means you might be seeing a fabness some of us can't see. You have great style so can I encourage you to be confident in your choices.

here is my inexpert take on this.. (after studying yours & burberry's photos over & over)
1. The zipper: I think it looks totally you. To me, it looks like a belt around your waist. Interesting twist.

2. The flared hem: That gives you a slight a-line shape (like an a-line skirt), but not too much.

3. The crop: again, it looks like you and you look killer in it. I wouldn't know the practical occasions to wear a cropped puffer, but i don't live in alaska.

Overall my impression: I like the overall shape on you, definitely balances out your IT. The only thing I don't like about it (and maybe that's why some think it flares out too much), is the spacing between the lines on the bottom half. They are wider, thus each row is puffier, which gives the impression of bigger flare than it probably is. And this is more apparent in the back view. I do feel the top half is perfect, love the details in different ways of quilting. I wish the bottom has slightly thinner lines, or stay with diamond shapes with some lines as accent.

Deborah, thank you - your comments are always food for thought! I certainly don't want anyone telling me to keep this crazy-expensive piece out of pity for my lovesick heart.

cloud9, thank you for taking the time to compare. I agree the design is a little split personality - like, is it a useful gearish puffer or a high fashion quilted jacket? Maybe that's why I like it because I want both of those somehow!