Help me find some perfect winter outerwear - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Shopping

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Help me find some perfect winter outerwear

N

I am starting to worry a little about outerwear. Vegans have it tough...nothing with wool, leather (be that fully leather or even the smallest trim), silk or down/feathers. It rules out so many coats. I currently have a men's outerwear store jacket. Not that glamorous at all. Ruins most looks...I mean if I dont find anything nice this year I won't go cold but i'd love a nice coat.
My husband just bought himself his second Moncler jacket (the first was only a year ago and is still perfectly fine, I guess he just wants more choice). I'm a little jealous at the ease but I'm committed to my beliefs.

I've seen a nice vegan leather jacket from Nanushka but its not exactly going to keep me warm I don't think. I suppose nowadays though i'd only be outside for around 30 mins at a time but the temps can get pretty low -2 to -5 degrees C.

I'd really love a luxury brand one but its almost impossible to find anything without animal products.

I prefer more fitted coats, at the waist at least otherwise it just makes my whole body look massive. Puffer isn't my favourite but if it is belted it would be okay. Also my arms are really long so needs to hit the right place on the models otherwise it would be too short for me.

I sometimes feel i'll never find anything.

If you wouldn't mind keeping your eyes peeled when you are browsing any webstores, I would be eternally grateful!

View Info

Shopping

24 replies

Latest reply was from Stagiaire Fash

rachylou

Veteran

I did a search on ‘vegan leather coat’ and found this. Pricey but looks warm. It does look like something made from animals tho, which I know can be off-putting.

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

N

Thank you Rachylou! Its funny that different things come up for me when I google, probably because I'm in Japan?

That one probably wouldnt go with the rest of my wardrobe and I need the waist to be defined. I found another one on their website though that has potential! I wouldn't say its something I'm in love with but with outerwear I really can't be fussy as I dont have a choice.

https://alcltd.com/collections.....8507274419

Thanks for the recommendation!

Brooklyn

Veteran

What about something velvet or corduroy? Usually cotton or cotton/viscose.

N

I was thinking a velvet jacket, I wonder if it would be warm enough. I suppose I could pair with a scarf. They tend only to be lined with really thin lining. I suppose any would work if they lined in like a cotton fleece. Cotton is heavy though and not as warm so they don't tend to do that. Maybe in the future there will be more demand.

N

I was thinking faux fur could work as well but I'm not overly keen on the fur look. I'm thinking velvet would be my best bet.

Brooklyn

Veteran

My velvet coat is not super warm, so I often sneak a fine long cardigan underneath. Maybe you could wear something techie and warm ( but not super glam) underneath your super glam velvet coat?

Hadilly

You might look at Patagonia. They have a number of synthetic jackets. They also use recycled down in their 3 in 1 parkas.

None of their stuff is belted now though.

Not sure of your budget, but perhaps Stella McCartney or maybe something high end and Canadian?

JAileen

Veteran

If I had those constraints I would probably wear a North Face Thermoball coat. Oh wait - I do wear one. They aren’t for super cold weather, such as those in Canada experience, but are fine for me most of the time.

Oh look, what a pretty color they have this fall!

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Well I bought my first ever puffer jacket inspired by Rachylou in 2019. It’s fully polyester, which I was uncertain about when deciding, but it has been useful and had 35 wears in 2 years. Of course an NZ winter is not as cold as a Japanese winter but I feel like you could achieve some warmth by doing similar to what Brooklyn suggests, layering tech fabrics under velvet or polyester depending on the occasion?
Are you OK to wear polyester though? But then if you didn’t wear any wool, fur, down, silk, leather or polyester I would wonder what was left to wear?!

Star

Veteran

N, you mentioned you want some waist definition - I think that vegan coat from ALC you posted looks very 'blobby' around the waist. You said you don't love it and I really don't think one should settle on their outerwear, that is what the outside world sees of you in winter. My winter weather is around -2 up to 8 degrees and velvet does not work. I can only wear it in early Autumn. I think your best option is a synthetic puffer and the lines of the quilting should not be only horizontal (for better waist definition.). Some have chevron lines that create an illusion of a waist. I have one for deep winter with a wide elasticated belt in the same material. Mine is made locally.

N

Star you are right it is pretty blobby. I like this Stella one but I'm still unsure if it contains wool or not. The listing on the black version does (and I'd prefer the black) but the white one doesn't which is odd. I'll need clarification.

I found out hubby bought himself a pair of Prada sunglasses and a Prada backpack too...likes himself doesn't he? Haha. Makes me not feel too bad to ask for a single nice piece of outerwear.

Star

Veteran

The Stella coat is very nice. I need a bit more length in winter but I walk daily in the cold (for fun :)). White could be a pain to keep looking pristine, so yes to the black, hopefully it has no wool too.

Minaminu

Veteran

I'd have a look at arket too, they have some interesting pieces

Oversized Quilted Coat - Black - Jackets & Coats - ARKET GB

N

That one unfortunately has wool trim...so close!!

i found this one but it looks too thin...it does have a little padding but probably not enough.

https://www.nanushka.com/produ.....cket-black

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Have you looked at Save the Duck? Not sure if they have styles with much shape, but they are supposed to be pretty nice quality and warm. I’d look for a style with a quilting pattern that helps define the waist — puffers have gotten better in that regard. I have a long black one from a few years ago that is surprisingly flattering and was warm enough to take me through weeks of a Christmas vacation in Europe.

I stopped in the Nanushka flagship store in NYC and they had some beautiful stuff — the faux leather is so soft! And they do have a faux leather puffer on the Nordstrom site at the moment… I think they had other warmer pieces as well in the store, but it wasn’t what I was focused on. I’d investigate them further.

Faux shearling may be a good option too. I found these two (coincidentally both ivory) and think they are quite sharp and may suit you, particularly the Stand one.

This post has 3 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Lauren Ralph Lauren Packable Quilted Down Coat

View Info

Top Pick

10

N

I have heard of save the duck but to be honest my current one is kind of similar. I guess I feel like puffer jackets seem too casual. I mean mine is a mans one so no shape to it at all. Its a haglofs one. In the UK most people wear like wool coats so I suppose I'm used to that. Here in Japan you do see lots of puffer jackets, they are often high end ones or uniqlo (which is excellent quality for the price!)

That faux shearling looks lovely!

I also have this on my radar

https://faznotfur.com/collecti.....9715148960

But again I'm not completely head over heals in love with it, but probably like it the most of the ones i've seen so far.

N

Could this be the one?

https://www.theoutnet.com/en-g.....8608755283

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Link isn’t working from here.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I have faux shearling too. The red FIND. WORKHORSE! I love it!

I added a navy faux version for you.

Faux Fur Trim Faux Leather Jacket

View Info

Top Pick

19

Marks and Spencer

M&S Collection Faux Shearling Hooded Aviator Jacket

View Info

Top Pick

1

N

Well we just bought this one (there was only one left, in my size as well) that said faux shearling 100% cotton but after buying I found it listed elsewhere as containing cashmere so if it does i'll have to send it back.
This is the other listing. I'm kind of disappointed it wasn't listed correctly on the outnet. They are usually pretty good.

https://www.neimanmarcus.com/e.....d213840008

Angie, i'm going to check those out!!

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Anonymous

Faux shearling is very warm! I also have pleather, flannel, faux fur, and non down puffers.

Sloper

Veteran

Janet mentioned Stand Studio.

I was browsing for other things and came across some of their faux fur and faux leather items, so checked out their own website. This trench and this oversized moto caught my eye. Other options too on the site.

This post has 2 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

N

So the mystery continues...the first is the listing I bought, second the same from another place. They look exactly the same but I wonder how the listing can be so different, yet they visually seem the exact same item...

I'm just hoping the one that comes is in fact 100% cotton...the outnet and netaporter are usually good at listing but its got me wondering.

This post has 2 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Seems plausible to me that they’d make different fabrications for different markets.

The cute faux shearling collar isn’t going to make anyone think it’s from an animal, and it isn’t trying to. You could look at faux fur that does the same, just openly declares itself for what it is.