Help me choose a Boden spring coat ...

Anchie's post about a spring coat wardrobe hole made me realize that I have a similar hole. Our spring season is so short I used to just make do without a proper spring coat. About 6-7 years ago I shopped deliberately for a spring coat and ended up with the one below from Banana Republic. And while I like that jacket, it's not warm enough for much of April and early May. For a while I made do with a lighter puffer but that reads winter and isn't great in the rain. I have a gortex shell that I layer with a fleece jacket for outdoor activities but would like something more throw on and go for work (outdoor recess) and running errands. I thought I had addressed finding something warmer a few seasons ago with the Gap parka below. It wasn't a puffer! I realize now reading through Anchie's thread that the Gap parka doesn't read springy enough to make me want to wear it outside of the early and late winter seasons - the fur on the hood is removable and that helps but the snap closures look weird and the lining is a bit too furry to look right in spring.

Problem is this is a very short season for me. We go from winter to summer pretty quickly. Our spring season is quite rainy. I'm not sure I want to spend big $ on this wardrobe hole but am tired of not having the right jacket for this time of year.

I like this Boden spring coat. I have not seen it in person. I like the length, the hood and the lining. I *think* I prefer the navy polka dots (I wear a lot of navy) but I also *think* I like the khaki stars. The second is on sale by quite a bit. I cannot order both to see which I like better as I'm in Canada and don't have free returns.

Which would you choose ...?

Cute cheaper khaki? or
Slam-dunk navy polka dots?

Boden

Suki Waterproof Coat

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Top Pick

Boden

Suki Waterproof Coat

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Top Pick

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5 years ago

nemosmom

Veteran

If you WERE allowed to order and keep both, which would you want to grab and wear FIRST? Which one makes your heart smile?
That's the one I would get.

kkards

Since the season is short...I’d go for the cheaper khaki with stars.

Jenni NZ

I would go for the cheaper one personally, because
1. For me I prefer it, it’s more quirky
2. It’s cheaper, that has to be a win when you’re not 100% sure how much you will wear it
3. If the season is short it will never be a total workhorse but could be just right for those certain times.

Murph11

No question... slam dunk! Isn’t that the goal... to have a closet of slam dunk options? You’ll wear it more than you think if it’s “the one.”

Kathie

I think you should definitely go with the one that’s a slam dunk. That said, 20-30% off coupons are quite common on the Boden US site. So, if you can get a bit of a discount on the U.K./ship to Canada option, I’d try for that. (In the US, Boden seems to send me coupons every 2-3 weeks, so it’s worth it for me to wait until I get one.)

Glory

I would go for the slam dunk. If you can fit a sweater under you may find you wear it much more than you anticipated. If you are already a fan of navy you will love the navy one.

smittie

I really like navy and khaki together so the khaki would go well with your existing clothes. Do you like the khaki/navy combo?

I wear a lot of navy myself and would choose the navy polka dots since Khaki is not as flattering near my face. (I would only wear it on the bottom half.)

kerry

Thing is nemosmom I’m not sure! I first thought of the solid navy but decided it was too boring - the dots lighten and liven it up. But ... I do like the whimsy of the khaki stars.

kkards and Jenni NZ - my thoughts exactly - don’t spend too much on a category that has a short window.

Kathy and Glory - it’s a slam dunk because I know I do navy well and love it but I’m curious about the khaki stars. DD and DH prefer the khaki and friends polled prefer the navy dots. I’m obviously very undecided and wish Boden had free returns from Canada!

smittie I like khaki and navy together too. And yes I prefer the khaki on the bottom but I do like my BR jacket.

JAileen

Can you get both and then compare? If I were you I would get the navy because you already have a khaki jacket. The thing about khaki, is sometimes it looks olive-ish, and sometimes it looks beige. I love it when it’s more olive. I’m not a fan of beige.

I love the grey/denim/olive combo they show. The stars are a nice touch.
So hard to pick!
I think I might chance it and go for the olive!

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Roberta

My two cents - I have a similar coat in navy (and it is very useful). However, I find it dark in March and April when we are hoping for bright days. I usually pair it with a bright scarf; very easy to do with navy.

I love the khaki and stars version for its brighter color and cheerful print, and I didn't know it was quilted inside. I would like to own it ! But I do wonder what scarf would work with that color and print. I cant think of any one I own that work.

Gretchen

My $.02 - if you already have a lot of navy in your wardrobe, go for the navy. It’s high quality, will wear for years and will always go with things in your closet. I love the green too, but would ask how well it works with other things in your wardrobe? If it’s less $ but becomes a closet orphan it isn’t really a deal.

anchie

I think that Boden makes very similar if not the same coat every season for years. I got one 10 years ago and retired it 2 years ago. It was just right weight and dressiness level for me. I think that is exactly what I was missing in my wardrobe since I never replaced it. I wanted to but didn’t really like any of the color offerings in last few seasons. So what I am trying to say here - because it is a very classic jacket that you will have for years - to hold to get the one that you really like. If you are not sure, wait. They will have the same coat in new colors soon and maybe it will be the one that speaks to you.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

The Boden raincoat this season is beautifully made but very stiff. And runs a size big. It's NOT a top pick.

rachylou

Have to say I find the khaki stars really really cute. And I find £70 quite enough esp reading what Angie says... And yes, even tho it’s not a top pick, I’d be tempted to get it anyways because when I need a waterproof coat, I unusually feel desperate for it even if it’s not that often...

Anonymous

I like both-but what's your first instinct? If they were next to each other on the rack which would you pick up first?

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