Good bye old friend. Hello down puffer. Update: she’s a keeper! - YouLookFab Forum

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Good bye old friend. Hello down puffer. Update: she’s a keeper!

Mainelady

Veteran

2 months ago my tried and true, trusty old LL Bean parka finally had to be laid to rest. She has warmed and sheltered me through some fierce winters since 2003. I have seen evidence of her aging and been preparing myself for our final excursion together. I knew that when her time was up I would be very sad, but need to focus on replacing her.
It was hard. Harder than I thought it would be. I tried to shop local. I tried to be loyal to a Maine legend. I did research. I politely struck up conversations with people to ask about their coats. I met some nice people, gained some information and got a few leads. I tried on so MANY coats. Some styles had the length and warmth features I needed, but none looked good. On me. The coats were so pretty on the hangers and online. Gorgeous color options and details! On me they looked like sausages with hoods.
Many times I was tempted to post pics and ask for your opinions, but I knew deep down that even though I needed a coat, I wasn’t going to be happy looking like a sausage.
I ordered the coat pictured below on December 26th. Due to storms and delivery challenges it finally arrived today. I think it might work for me. There is a lot I like about it. I am brave enough to show it to you and ask for your candid opinions. Sausage alert, but at least this sausage looks like it has a little waist. Well, not a “little” waist, but an indentation where a waist should be....
Keep or return? Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

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26 replies

Latest reply was from Mainelady

JAileen

Veteran

I don’t think you look like a sausage at all. I know what you mean, though, the most recent pink furry jackets I posted made me look sausagey. This coat looks pretty good. Why are you unsure?

Joy

Veteran

If you keep a coat and wear it for 15 years, you deserve a coat that you love. If you love this one, keep. If you feel that it is a flirt, return it. Actually, living in Maine, you could justify and wear a capsule of coats. Maybe keep this one but allow yourself to keep looking for the one that makes your heart race faster when you put it on? I see no sausage tendencies here. Imagine if you did not have a waist and curves. Then there is no avoiding the sausage-esque lines.

Katerina

Veteran

Mainelady, I understand that you do not feel perfect in this jacket! But I do not see any sausage or any sausage tendencies in the pictures. The jacket looks fine to my eye, and I am not just being polite.But if you do not feel pretty in it, it will not be fun to wear it and it is all about feeling great about your look
and having fun. So take a hard look and feel, how this one makes you feel. As Angie says, there might be another killer in the next shop.

BrieN

Veteran

There is so much I like about that coat! It's beautiful-pretty color and not shiny. Love the fur on the hood. And I think I like the length and sleeve length on you. I can't assess fit well with photos, though, or at least I'd need more photos to be able to give you my opinion.

Windchime

Veteran

Fun reading! I second Joy's suggestion to perhaps keep this one to get through winter, but also keep looking for one you'd totally love.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Your written description does not match your pictures as far as I am concerned. I don't see sausage at all - I think this coat looks terrific but it has to please you most of all.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I love your story. It is so like I feel about some of my clothes. It sounds to me like you could become fond of this one. It might be a bit like one can grow to love a person more over time, sort of intertwining. I think it looks very attractive on. Only you can decide if in time it could become as loved.

Mainelady

Veteran

Thank you for sharing your opinions. I appreciate and value them.

JAileen, I do like this coat a lot. I am not quite sure what my hesitation is. I can’t quite pinpoint it just yet.

Joy, you make excellent points. I do have a capsule of winter coats and boots. This one fills a specific need for ultra warmth and protection from the elements, when I will be outside for a while. Recess duty is one huge consideration. We live on an island and the wind coming off the Atlantic Ocean can be brutal. Love the view, but not so fond of the winter winds.

Thank you Katerina. When I wear this coat, it will be with winter boots, hats, scarves and gloves. When I have some time this weekend I am going to gear it up and see how that makes me feel.

BrieN I really like the color, too. The old me would have chosen black, but I learned from Angie that navy blue would play better with my hair. A fur hood is always a winner with me.

Windchime, Shevia and Jenni you are all wise. Maybe this coat is infatuation and not love at first sight. Years back, when I chose my beloved LL Bean coat I was not as in tune with my style preferences as I am now. I needed a coat that was warm and highly functional. I chose one that fit and was a color I liked. That was true for most of my clothing. I have grown up and grown to consider many other factors when choosing clothing. Upon reflection, I fell in love with my old coat because of the quality, durability and security it gave me. In all honesty, it may not have been a killer style on me, but I loved it all the same. Soooooo I am going to give myself a little winter fashion show this weekend and mull things over. If I keep the coat I may very well stumble upon a killer version at some point in the future. If I do, I am not worried that this one will become an orphan. After all, in Maine the weather requires multiple outerwear options.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I don’t see sausage in these photos either, and I think that’s hard to avoid in puffers!

I tried at least half a dozen in my search for a long puffer and ended up with the longest one I tried, partially because it was lightweight enough that it has a little shape and doesn’t skew TOO puffy. I thought I had already settled on one (a dark green Barbour) but then this one popped up, on sale, and I liked it better even though I was trying to avoid black. So maybe you can hang onto this one while you keep an eye out for other interesting options?

Lauren Ralph Lauren Packable Quilted Down Coat

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10

unfrumped

Veteran

It looks really good for pufferness!
Is it too dark, or is that needed for practicality?
I’ve been looking for somewhat light weight puffer and also struggling with ticking all the boxes. I can justify a coat capsule but not an extensive puffer collection.

Christina F.

Veteran

I think it looks beautiful and is quite a slim silhouette for being a very warm coat. Sure, It’s true you may come across something you like a bit better, but it does sound like you did a very thorough search of this season’s offerings, at any rate! Is it possible it doesn’t feel right because you miss the coat you had for years?

krishnidoux

Veteran

This coat fits you very well!

Zibbets

Veteran

Mainelady, it may be pms, but your LLBean coat eulogy almost made me tear up and reminded me of Aunt Beast in A Wrinkle In Time. Remember the big, warm creature that saved Meg's life?

Recess duty on an island off the Atlantic sounds exciting and EXCEEDINGLY cold. I don't see a sausage here at all. You are beautiful and the coat looks flattering and more important, warm. If it works, I say go for it.

Thirkellgirl

Veteran

I love it, and I don't see sausage at all! Is this also a Bean coat? (Because I want it).

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I don't see sausage, I see a well clad woman who is ready for the elements. It looks great on you! I'm with Joy -- keep it if it fills a need and you like it. You can continue to look for the "dream puffer coat" over the next few years.

You deserve more than one, where you live! I now have 3 (living in Eastern Ontario, with similar weather to yours.) One lightweight for fairly warm days that are still windy and possibly wet; my trusty Lole that has brought me through 8 winters so far (and still going strong), and my new blue puffer for extreme cold.

Joy

Veteran

Ah, recess duty! I would get the longest, warmest one you can find and make sure that it has a hood for wind protection. Make sure those boots have Thinsilate lining which is well with the cost. My dad gave me a furry-lined leather hat with ear flaps that was the best for wind, especially under a hood. Stay warm. I have relatives on a Maine peninsula that is rapidly becoming an island due to higher ocean.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

What Suz said.

rachylou

Veteran

Puffy puffy puffy! Lol, I am a serious puffer coat enthusiast because I’m always freezing. This one has a very nice waist. Not sloppy (which can be a problem with puffers IMO).

Anonymous

The coat looks lovely on you - I see no "sausage" effect!

I feel the same way about my very old and reliable Lands End puffer! Luckily, while traveling to NH last year we made our way over to Kittery, Me and I found the puffer of my dreams staring at me - right color, right size, and on clearance. It was the last one. It was meant to be. I am in love and it has treated me very well this very very cold winter (I am in SE PA)

LaPed

Veteran

Fit looks excellent to me. If you're unsure, I'd try a few more styles for the sake of calibration. And like Suz and others have said, your climate is cold enough to merit a little flock (woolly sheep or downy geese -- or both) of winter coats.

Toban

Veteran

Looks fantastic to me. But if something is holding you back I do recommend listening to your inner voice and trying to figure out what it is telling you.

Mainelady

Veteran

Janet, unfrumped, Christina, krishnidoux, Zibbets, thirkellgirl, Suz, Joy, Angie, rachylou, danusia, L Pedestrienne and Toaban, you women are all so wonderful. You are a wise and a great cheering section. I think I have been a little too concerned with sausage. There really is a lot that I like about this coat. Tomorrow will be dress up day and I will load on my warmest boots, hats, scarves and gloves. I’ll take a walk, get in the car and take a short drive to see how the coat feels when I am moving around. Standing still I feel wrapped in softness and warmth.

I really like the suggestions to keep this coat and add another if I find one that makes me swoon. Suz, am inspired by the idea of puffers of different weights. That comment hit home with me. My daughter has a lightweight Patagonia puffer and I have to admit that I look really great in it. However, hers would not be up to the challenges of the conditions I need mine for. You know what? I think that has been part of my issue with sausage shapes. The light weight coats were not options, due to warmth and the warmer the coats, the thicker the midsections looked to me. Soooo the coat I have may very well be perfect for much of my winter, BUT a lighter weight puffer for milder days, or errands would be an excellent purchase!
That said, Janet, I adore the Ralph Lauren coat! If that comes in navy or a rust/Brown, I will be trying one on!
Unfrumped, no I don’t think the color is too dark. I love the color of the coat. Check out Patagonia’s Fiona Parka ( with or w/o a hood) if you are looking for a light weight puffer.
Christina, it is very possible that I miss my old coat. It has been a part of my winters for so long, I think I became fond of the old girl.
Zibbets, I do remember! Maybe I will become the newest big, warm creature....
Thirkellgirl, no the coat I have is a North Face Arctic Parka ll.
Joy, thanks for the advice! Your dad sounds like a sweetheart. Recess isn’t any fun if I’m cold! I hope your relatives don’t lose more land due to rising seas.
Yes, Angie!
Rachylou, IKWYM!
Danusia, the Kittery Outlets are amazing and it sounds like you arrived there at the perfect time!
La Ped, yes, I think a whole flock is what I need. Maybe my next goal should be to find a lightweight and a medium weight puffer. I won’t do a big search like I did for this coat. I think I can take some time to add to the puffer capsule.
Toban, I do feel better about the coat today. I am not sure why. I am sure the helpful comments from everyone here have helped! I think I may have been hoping to find a super warm puffer that gave me the same flattering shape as my daughter’s lightweight puffer did. I am feeling more confident about this coat, but will give it a test run tomorrow before making a final decision. My ultimate goal was to get a coat that would keep me warm no matter what the weather is like. I know I have found that. Function over form, but a girl can still dream of form, right?

Zibbets

Veteran

Sorry, but I just have to clarify what I said about Aunt Beast. I wasn't suggesting you were the creature, but that the COAT was!

Mainelady

Veteran

Hahaha, Zibbets. There was no need to clarify, although it is kind of you. I was an avid reader as a child and as a teacher I have never outgrown my love of children’s literature. I have identified with many a fictional character. I really liked the reference and the comparison.

Bijou

Veteran

You look lovely in this coat and not sausage like at all. I do understand your concern because puffers add bulk. This one looks streamlined for a puffer coat, I hope it keeps you nice and warm.

Mainelady

Veteran

Thank you all for weighing in with your comments, questions and opinions. Yesterday’s temps were in the mid 40s and we had pouring rain, so I didn’t give the coat a trial run. Today has been dry with temps in the teens and a windchill of -2.
I am happy to report that when paired with my fur boots, a cap and mittens I was toasty warm! I went for a long walk and also took a drive. The coat moves easily with me and is not constricting, but I did find it a bit warm while driving and stopped to unzip it. I didn’t feel like a sausage and I don’t think I looked like a sausage. You know what? Even if there were a sausage factor, I would be ok with it. The coat meets my needs for warm and protection and I feel happy in it.
That said, I will not go into stalker mode, but will keep my eyes open for a super stylish lighter weight puffer for days that don’t require as much coverage and warmth. The next big storm is forecast for
Wednesday and I am ready for it!