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Getting real in 2019 My first purchases

Mainelady

Veteran

Hello New Year! I am eager to greet you with an open mind and open arms. I am carefully carrying my favorite memories from 2018 with me, as I step forward and away from the not so pleasant bits.
I am ready to start fresh and have been assessing my clothing. I really don’t have much to edit. I need very little. Living in Maine I have lots of outerwear and boots for all types of weather.
Last year my favorite trusty old jacket and multipurpose “take on anything” boots departed this earth. I replaced my jacket with a long down parka, which I love. How have I survived in Maine all these years without it?!
As much as I love my down parka, it is a lot of coat. It is perfect for many things, but my reality is that it is not perfect for when I want to take our dogs out, putter on our property, have adventures in grandparenting or take long walks. Soooo, I have been researching many options. Criteria are: shorter length, more packable weight, a hood and of course warmth.
As for my boots, well, I suspect I might be the Queen of Boots and last year decided not to purchase another pair. My Sorels are super warm, tall and great for snow and ice. They take a while to lace up and I don’t like to wear them when it is muddy. My Technica are tall, warm, easy to slip on and super fun, but not the best on ice and I refuse to wear them near mud.
After almost a year, reality settled upon me and I know that I need another pair of full service “regardless of the weather and ground conditions, out we go” boots. Again, dog playdates, property puttering, adventures keeping up with our 2 year is DGS and long walks showed me what I was lacking. I didn’t need to do any research. I knew I would get Bogs. They come in a tall height, are warm to -40 F, easy slip on and off and clean up well.
You are a champion if you are still reading this post.
Pic #1 is the color coat that sang to me.......but I am getting real in 2019 and the activities I want this coat for beg for a more forgiving color.
Pic #2 is the black coat I ordered. It also came in navy and gray, but I already have down coats in those colors.
Pic #3 are the Bog boots they are going to be workhorses and I hope they live as long as my last pair did!
Somehow I thought my first purchases for 2019 would be more glamorous.....oh wait....reality checking myself!

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Shopping

37 replies

Latest reply was from Mainelady

bj1111

Veteran

those bogs are singing to me.

SarahD8

Veteran

The coat and boot combo is going to be fantastic! I love the way the lighter color in the plaid of the boots echoes the trim on the hood of the coat. Great start to 2019 fashion!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

How I know those parka and boot purchases to start a year! I actually think you will wear these with joy as well as comfort. There is nothing better than clothes that go the distance and you are starting the year on the right foot with these. Wishing you all the best in style and all else!

Mainelady

Veteran

Bj1111, the plaid on the boots makes me happy.
SarahD, thank you. I do like the color of the fur trim on the black jacket I ordered. I think it will look good with my hair color. I have several hats and scarves that will work well with the black coat.

rachylou

Veteran

Ok. I have to restart my long puffy search... I am the opposite re dog walking. Need the thing to cover my ankles. No drafts! Lol

Mainelady

Veteran

Suz, I think you are right. I need my outerwear to be strong and endure whatever Old Man Winter tosses our way. Outerwear is an investment and I have had very good luck with different brands over the years. I was brought up in a “use what you have” and “make do” family, so I sometimes catch myself in that mindset. Plenty of times it works and sometimes, it just doesn’t .
Rachylou, I think you will find many nice options for long, maxi length puffers. I really do love the warmth and coverage factors of the coat I bought last year, but the length gets in the way if I want to move quickly. Unzipping from the bottom of the coat helps, but I need room for my legs to move and take large strides when out with the dogs and especially when out with my grandson! I look forward to seeing what you choose!

Jane

Veteran

Fantastic boots, and I like the darker colour of the coat; I think the fur trim will pick up the boot colouring well. I do agree with you that bad weather shoes and coats are worth investing in. I love walking in all sorts of weather but it makes it so much better when you have the right clothing.

Style Fan

Veteran

Love the bogs. I have thought of getting a pair. In a climate like ours, we need the right outerwear or we are can't do what we need to do.

karen13

Veteran

OOOH - gorgeous coat and boots. I broke down and bought a long Eddie Bauer puffy last year and I'm with you - how did I live without it? After my morning ski I needed an hour to thaw my feet.

How do Bogs fit? Are they warm stand alone or do they need extra thick socks?

Women's Sun Valley Down Parka

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9

JAileen

Veteran

You know your real life, and so getting a black down coat is the sensible option.

I have tall Muck boots that are similar - neoprene, but not plaid, unfortunately. I attribute my not getting cold in Barrow this summer to wearing them.

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Bog boots!Thats just perfect.I remember that last year you told me warm was the new glam.l think that definitely still applies!

Mainelady

Veteran

Jane and Style Fan, I really enjoy the outdoors and feel my best when I can get out in the fresh air. The right clothing makes time spent outside much more enjoyable!
Karen13, I think the Bogs tend to run a little small. I wear a 6 1/2 and size up to the 7. This style is slightly different than my previous pair, but the fit guides were the same. The Bogs are very warm! I can wear a regular pair of Smartwool socks (my everyday brand) and my feet are toasty warm. Check the temperature rating, as different styles have different ratings.
JAileen, yes, those Muck boots were the reason your feet were warm! Muck and Bog are very similar brands and both have great ratings.
Hahaha Cardiff Girl. Yup,in Maine Warm is the New Glam, because Cold is Miserable!

kkards

Veteran

good for you for knowing what you want and what you need and for understanding the difference....nice coat and boots

madeline

Veteran

Love both coats- I have same style and colors ( I bought both) - just a different brand. I like variety in outerwear. Our winters are long too.
Hope the parka and boots bring you warmth and joy!

deb

Veteran

A 2019 reality check. Good for you.

Mainelady

Veteran

Thank you kkards, Madeline and Deb. Here’s to a warm and toasty winter!

jussie

Veteran

The jacket is really nice. I think it’ll make your wintry outfits look very stylish and cozy.

Windchime

Veteran

Wise and wonderful purchases to kick off a new year of fashion! When winter is so long, we definitely need an assortment of coats and boots for our assorted outdoor activities!

I, too, had a “use it up and wear it out” upbringing. This winter, for the first time in my life, I’m rotating through THREE winter coats—a down knee-length black puffer, a recently-purchased midnight-blue hip-length jacket, and my plaid Pendleton wool coat which is just right on days which are not bitterly cold. (I still have just one pair of boots...baby steps...)

Pendleton 'Hillsdale' Buffalo Plaid Wool Blend Coat

$395.00 $229.90

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16

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

FABULOUS coat and boots.

You live in Maine. Winter is your dominant season. Throw in the cream coat too! GORGEOUS with your hair.

cindysmith

Veteran

I'd say those fur-trimmed hoods are pretty awesome and a bit glamorous

Joy

Veteran

You deserve lots of fun winter wear. You have Recess Duty. As Angie said, get the white coat too.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I love your upbeat attitude! Cannot relate to heavy winter gear anymore, but still a pleasure to read!

Bijou

Veteran

I think you will look amazing in these. I really love your puffer coat, it has such a lovely shape and the fur trim is pretty and practical.

I do think there is wisdom in buying the lighter coloured one as well given the weather conditions you live in and with dogs, it will not matter what the weather, you will be having your daily walks.

Mainelady

Veteran

Thank you Jussie. I am so happy there are options that allow both warmth AND style. Years ago that was not always true.
Windchime, rotating 3 coats is a very good idea. It only does it change things up, it prolongs the life of each coat. Ooh, your plaid Pendleton is gorgeous! Huge happiness factor!
Angie, thank you! I did seriously consider adding the cream colored coat. Then the little voice inside my head said to wait, see how it fits, gauge the warmth, etc. If the black coat is a dream coat, I will likely purchase the cream. If not, I do think a cream coat is in my future.
Cindysmith, hahaha, yes! I think a little faux fur goes a long way towards upping the style factor. For winter I prefer my coats have hoods. Hats are great, but hoods help so much more with the winds.
Joy, I like the way you think! A good winter coat will never be a poor investment and I can see myself wearing a lighter color and being very happy in it. Around here it would be rare. Puffers are all over the place, but in predominantly darker colors.
Thank you Shevia. I really enjoy the four seasons. If I am warm, it allows me to focus on the beauty that surrounds me. If I am cold, all I can think about is how much longer until I can go back inside!
Bijou, thank you. I also like the shape of the coat and the fur hood. They dress the puffed up a bit. Looking like a potato is no longer mandatory.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Great strategy.

Christina F.

Veteran

Sounds like you're on the right track, Mainelady! I like the strategy of rotating items too, both to keep them looking good longer and to prevent boredom. Wearing the same coat day after day can get tedious!

I have serious coat envy as well, windchime. Oh my.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Great coat and boots! I have been very practical with my purchases lately and it's paying off both in comfort, daily style and in budget. I have to keep myself in check in that I don't have a need to have a very large closet of "going out" pieces but I do need a large closet of very practical things for casual visits with friends (often involving outdoor time), hiking, walking in muddy or wet conditions, staying warm but in layers as they day's temp progresses, etc. This year I'm going to continue that focus but try to find the most stylish version of practical that I can find.

unfrumped

Veteran

Loved the coat and boots!

Kathie

Veteran

Those are gorgeous coats! You will be incredibly stylish while running after your grandson and watching children at recess!

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