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How many winter coats do you have?

Pree

Now that winter is around the corner here in the DC, mid Atlantic area, I am taking inventory of my winter coats. I run cold so warm winter coats are a must for me. I purged 2 winter coats last winter so this is what I am left with. (This does not include my 2 trench coats and lighter weight jackets).

1. Hip length black nylon/puffer type coat- weekend wear
2. Mid thigh black North face puffer- weekend wear
3. Knee length gray Villager North face coat (slimmer fit)-work and weekend
4. Black wool mid thigh trapeze coat (beautiful, but not that warm)-great for dressy occasions

I just ordered on line the Jcrew double cloth coat in bittersweet (chocolate brown) with thinsulate (Angie's pic- find 1). I want this to be my daily coat for the work week and it should be warm with the thinsulate (I will post pics when it arrives). I want to reserve my North face jackets for more casual weekdays and weekends, rather than daily to work like I did last year.

Now the question, should I add the cocoon coat in the coral color (find 3) to add some fun on casual days? I included pic 2 which was also Angie's pic- I love the carmel color, but all of my coats are neutral. Or should I hold off since I have enough coats?

Thanks for reading. How many coats are in your winter capsule?

Double-cloth lady day coat with Thinsulate

$388.00 $369.99

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Stadium-cloth cocoon coat

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Stadium-cloth cocoon coat

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Dressing

48 replies

Latest reply was from Lisa

Joy

Veteran

Our winter temperatures vary a lot so lighter warmth and coats for very frigid weather are needed.
*2 knee length down coats: one warmer than the other
* lined trench
* wool JCrew coat. bit longer than a jacket
* 3 leather jackets, all different colors and lengths, for warmer winter days
* navy pea coat that isn't very warm for warmer days.
I may need to look for a bigger fit for wearing over chunky sweaters.
ETA: I forgot to answer your coat question. I love the coral cocoon for you for brightening a dark winter day.

retailgirl

Veteran

I don't think there's such a thing as enough coats! ( although I'm struggling with the same thing.). I don't know the rest of your color palette, but I'd get the coral...what a great color on a dreary winter day! And you have all the neutral bases covered.

I have a black wool short coat, a red wool short coat, a navy quilted equestrian jacket and a black one. I also have three trench type coats, tan, ( not really my color, but, hey, trench coat), red and pink. None have liners and are spring/ fall. I'm contemplating either a navy duffle or a black pea coat...a little more casual than my two wool coats but still warm.

When I was growing up it was one coat for school/ play and one for church/dress up. We don't have to go by those guidelines anymore!

Astrid

Veteran

I love the coral cocoon coat! I think it would definitely be fun. Personally I have three coats right now: a casual parka, a puffer coat and a wool peacoat. All Lands End.

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retailgirl

Veteran

And I live in southeast New England.

Anonymous

I wasn't going to chime in this morning, but when I see the word "coat" , I can't help it

I too believe there is no such thing as too many coats. In fact, i'm amazed at those who wear the same coat day and day out all winter long! It's part of your look, part of your outfit and having a capsule of colours , weights, and degrees of warmth is very sensible in North American winters. I'm also eyeing that cocoon coat - have had in sitting on my wish list for weeks. I love , love , love that colour!

Diana

Veteran

In order of warmth:

--above the knee heavy black wool coat
--mid thigh forest green hooded toggle coat with quilted lining
--above the knee cobalt skirted coat (want to replace this soon)
--mid thigh black wool swing coat.

Plus 3 trenches and 4 leather jackets but those are more fall/spring coats.

(I'm a little surprised. I thought I had more!)

For the record I live in boston and don't own or feel the need to own a puffer.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I have many coats - all different colours, styles, levels of dressiness, and levels of warmth depending on the season. I LOVE coats. I love them more than jackets.

I vote coral in the cocoon, if you are besotted with the colour. It's a LOT of colour to commit to, so you must be sure.

Staysfit

Veteran

I love coats, probably because I'm always cold. Plus it snows from October to May (possible).
1 red mid thigh down Eddie Bauer down puffer
1 brown mid thigh brown light wight down puffer
1 silver grey mid thigh creenstone down puffer
1 grey green mid calf thins ulterior creenstone
1 chocolate mohair cashmere mix Cole hahn mid thigh coat
2 down Noth face puffer jackets (chocolate and green)
1 north face thermo ball jacket grey
3 down vests
On order is one J Crew wool swing coat in Dove Grey. Not sure if it will work out or not
One wool poncho with fur trim
Winter lasts a long time here in the snow belt!

Pree

Joy- that is why I was thinking of the cocoon coat, for the chunkier sweaters

Retail Girl and Diana- I am impressed at so few coats in the Northeast

Astrid - so few coats just in general, wow

Lisap- exactly why I want to order 2 coats- to add variety to my rotation!

Angie- I love the coral color for now, but will I next year, exactly why I am on the fence

Staysfit- great winter coat capsule considering your weather.

retailgirl

Veteran

Where Diana and I live, ( I'm very close to Boston) our climate is only a little colder than DC. There are years when we've had no snow at all. And I can remember Christmas with 60's temps. The past few winters have been brutal but our climate is not too bad.

abc

Veteran

Interesting thread. I grew up in the Midwest USA with having one winter coat per season. It literally rocked my world a few years back when DH said, "Why don't you get a couple of coats?" I guess I just never considered it to be an option - a carryover from childhood.

Anyway, now I live in a much milder climate so I don't *NEED* many winter coats. In fact, last year I purged all of them due to fit issues. I did buy one replacement while traveling in the US on a business trip - a necessity as it was c-o-l-d and I had literally no winter coat.

So I suppose the answer to your question for me right now is one. I do have one vintage wool winter coat (I think from the 60s) that I will never get rid of but it gets wear off and on depending. So I guess two if the vintage one counts.

All that being said, I would be curious to hear how people in milder climates count and categorize their coats/jackets. I have recently discovered (I guess due to the previously mentioned purge) that I have a wardrobe hole for jackets. Not coats, but jackets - due to my mild climate (example, now it is 50s in the AM and 70s-80s in the afternoon).

So if you all don't mind, especially those weighing in from milder climates - would you share the breakdown of your jackets? I am trying to figure out what my real needs are. Sorry for the thread jack, Pree...hope this info is relevant to you as well!

Astrid

Veteran

Pree, I definitely have room for more. That I have so few is mostly because of the budget, coats are expensive.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I'm in the San Francisco area so my winter coats are usually raincoats (ducks snowballs from other posters). I've got two now, one black and one fuchsia, both lined with hoods, for the really cold, rainy days. I've had the black one for years and picked up the fuchsia one secondhand last year. I've also got a shorter rain jacket, more gearish, a black wool walking coat I've owned since college and rarely have to wear unless on trips to colder climes, and a down coat that lives at my parents' place in Indiana. Then the usual assortment of fleece, denim and twill jackets for inbetween weather. I culled a lot of them last year - probably too many - but I think I've got about five. So a total number of around 10, excluding the two lightweight denim jackets I use as summer toppers in the evenings.

Eta: abc, good question. I will itemize mine more accurately but not until I get home later today.

Pree

Retail girl- I guess I can't get last winter out of mind and how cold I was all the time!
Astrid- agreed, coats are expensive and an investment
abc- by all means, have people comment on all their coats!

abc

Veteran

To answer your question, Pree, I agree with Angie, if you like the bright color coat I would go for it! But it all depends on your coloring, if you think a bright coat would play well with the rest of your wardrobe, etc. Sorry for not answering before. And thanks for opening up the thread to all coats and jackets

retailgirl

Veteran

I have another theory about coats...I've worked in retail for many years and I've seen customers balk at paying $200 or so for a coat but not blink at spending the same amount on tops, jeans, sweaters. I think you should spend whatever you can afford for a good looking coat...it's the first thing people see and you wear it every day! I feel the same way about swimwear. Spend what it takes to get something flattering.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

To answer your question - I don't have nearly enough winter coats considering that our Canadian winter can last for 6 months with temps below (well below!) freezing and snow (a lot of it). This is what I have:
- one 4year old cream just-above-the-knee puffer which despeartely needs replacement;
- one below the knee man-style wool black coat;
- one mid-thigh lenth dark purple wool coat;
- one mid-thigh length coablt wool coat.
I can wear wool coats to work (when I do not need to spend more that 1h outside) up until it dips below -10C - and then it is puffer all the way as wool is just not warm enough in this cold. Usually this lasts for at least 3 months.
I am condisering to try and layer a think down vest under my man-style coat to prolong its use in winter - don't have the vest yet so don't know if it can be too bulky.
I have decided that I need to add a new puffer and maybe some other style for those 3 months of extreme cold - a girl needs some variety in this bleak time.
I don't know what other style can work though in the frigid weather...
As for you - looks like all your current coats are dark neutrals. Personally I cnanot stand that much darkness in winter - I crave color even more than in summer. I vote to get a coat in a brighter color which you love!

viva

Veteran

I absolutely do not have enough coats, and I think the reason is that I find them very hard to commit to. I have been shopping for a coat for the last several months and it has been torture! I live in Maine, and right now, this is my winter coat lineup:

- One bright pink JCrew stadium cloth pea coat, sized up to fit over bulky sweaters
- One black hooded puffer jacket, butt-length -- a ski jacket really. Great for snowy days

THAT IS IT.

I've tried about six coats so far, and none has worked -- variety of reasons. I definitely need a longer wool coat that will work both every day and dressy (which is such a rare occasion I do not need a separate dressy coat). Although I theoretically agree with having a large coat capsule, it does not appear to be something I am built to pull the trigger on. These are big ticket items, and I think I get more happiness from indoor items. I will buy pair after pair of booties and jeans, but a coat? That I take off as soon as I get inside? Personally, I'm finding it hard to amass a collection. I hope I will find my one more longish coat and then be able to stop looking. It's driving me crazy.

For what it's worth, I vote for the orange cocoon. I LOVE having a bright pink peacoat. I rely on it heavily and I never tire of the color. It's wonderful on a snowy day.

Diana

Veteran

Ha, I am really surprised at how few I have, if we're being honest. I guess I keep all of my coats (all seasons) in the coat closet year round so it seems like I have a ton.

I do run warm, and I wear lots of wool under the coats. (I basically wear the same weights or lighter of coats in Boston as Angie does in Seattle, but she runs really cold.)

rizamei

I have:
- Calvin Klein black hooded softshell trench (usual workday coat)
- Uniqlo black wool swing coat
- Lands End dark purple pea coat
- Lands End olive green quilted insulated jacket

I also will probably wear my new gray Eddie Bauer Mackenzie Trench well into the winter for particularly wet days that aren't too cold.

Pree

Retailgirl- couldn't agree more
Sveta- I can attest to the warmth of the puffer in our polar vortex last winter
Viva- I agree that coats are a long term commitment and it is important to find the right one.

Update on my coat order from jcrew- the chocolate runs small- I sized up in the petite, but still snug if I want to wear a sweater and the next size up is not available in chocolate so I am thinking to order the the classic styled lady double cloth coat in the coral color. That way I have a warm, classic coat that adds a bit of brightness to the dreary cold days as suggested by almost all of you!
Thanks for helping me get sorted!

Petite double-cloth lady day coat with Thinsulate

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E

Veteran

Oh! I am an outerwear addict. Luckily, I recently moved to the Great Lakes area of upstate NY, also known as the snow belt, so suddenly my winter coat collection is justified. They've been acquired over the years, as I've lived in different climates, although my most recent home of south Texas rarely required them.

All 6 of them are wool or wool/20% nylon blends. I run warm, tend to wear a lot of wool clothes in winter anyway, and so far have not needed a puffer (we'll see whether this new climate requires it). In order of warmth they are:

medium blue, below the knee, fit & flare vintage Loden wool coat w removable hood & cape (this is a furnace & I'm hopeful that it will be my puffer substitute)
light taupe/camel, below the knee, fit & flare vintage 100% wool coat w removable hood; navy blue, classic fit/shape, knee length wool/nylon Gap coat (bought in 2005 & still going strong)
light grey, mid-thigh, swing shape in a wool/nylon blend; cranberry red, mid-thigh, duffle coat in a wool/nylon blend
charcoal grey hip length peacoat in a wool/nylon blend

For less cold temps I have 5 more coats:

knee length trenches in a mid-camel & robin's egg blue, both with a belt for waist definition
hip length quilted navy peacoat
gear-ish navy raincoat
hiplength charcoal grey alpaca cape

And lots of jackets (I just counted: 16, including both warm & cool temperature ones).

What can I say? I love layering, am comfortable with having an extensive wardrobe, and acquire most of my items secondhand, thus making it easy from a personal budget & ethical perspective to amass quite a collection. I do feel this is sufficient though! Although if I come across the perfect teal jacket or coat at the right price, I'll snatch it up.

I hope the coral coat works for you; I really like having colourful outerwear options as well as neutral ones. Like you, I spend most of my time at home, but I walk my pup 2-4 times a day, plus any errands I run are via walking or the bus. So my outerwear is all that a lot of people see!

viva

Veteran

Pree, I love the lady coat in the coral -- what a smart compromise.

I had tried the brown one too and found the style did not work well for me -- I don't have a defined waist. I hope this one works for you.

shedev

Veteran

I have 2, a black puffer and a slate blue anorak. I have a puffer on its way from Amazon in anthracite.

Sal

Veteran

I live in a temperate climate with no snow. I own

gear
Ski jacket, two layers, one a shell and one down, coral and purple
Raincoat - turquoise.

Wool
brown tweed knee length coat-vintage
grey and white check car coat - vintage

other
Khaki and Black anorak/ parka - lined
Fur coat- vintage

I also have jackets of course.

My next purchase will be a dressy coat in either black or a colour that goes with black, to wear for smart day and going out at night ( we often walk). It may be expensive and is not needed all that often but I do feel the gap. I will buy something classic that will last me forever.

Louise

Veteran

I love coats and I think if you live somewhere that gets cold winters it's worth having several options mine are as follows

1) Knee length black down filled puffer from Marmot, this is a gear brand but the 'puffer' quilting is on the inside and it's flat waterproof fabric on the outside. This coat seriously goes with everything
2) knee length red funnel neck I love this on dry cold grey days as it's so bright and happy
3) black calf length Bench coat
4) burgundy hip length puffer, totally gear but I've been known to wear it casually
5) faux fur thigh length duffle type coat

Glory

Veteran

Hmmm I love coats!
My winter coats (fall not included) are as follows:

Long Black Puffer - for seriously cold days and hockey arenas
Raspberry parka (pic 1)
Grey peacoat in wool/cashmere (this would be my fanciest coat)
SIlver puffer packaway jacket (new and replaced an old one almost identifcal) (pic 3)
Topshop navy duffle (just purchased and tags are still on due to indecision) (pic 2)

I vote yes to the cacoon coat! It has been on my list for 2 full years! We only just got a J Crew here so I may now have a chance to purchase it. I do love the coral but it is lots of colour so you have to feel comfy with that.

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kerry

Veteran

Not enough! I have an old brown The North Face down puffer (metropolis). It's warm but not windproof and I'm no longer feeling the brown. I have a white puffer from LE that just covers the bum - it's good for in and out of the car.

Now that I'm on yard duty for up to 30 minutes twice a day (as a kindergarten teacher), I need something that's warm without layers. I bought this and I'm in love.

http://www.nobis.ca/F14/jackets/merideth.html (I got the grey wool blend)

One of my HEWIs is a knee-length wool coat in a gorgeous colour like dark pink.

cinnamon fern

Veteran

I live in central VA, so just south of you, Pree. I run warm though. I have only two coats:

a hip-length gold puffer
a mid-thigh grey softshell
a white trench
a leather jacket

But I guess only the first two are really winter coats.

I've been looking for a third - a wool coat, following Angie's rec - but I haven't found one yet. I like the look of that J Crew lady coat, but I was worried it would be way too warm for our winter.

And I'm impressed you're thinking about winter coats when it was in the 80s this afternoon!

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