Talk me through my very practical winter coat purchase - YouLookFab Forum

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Talk me through my very practical winter coat purchase

Ket

Veteran

I did a thing: I bought a winter coat. A practical winter coat.

Some of you may remember I had to toss my gorgeous, designer down winter coat. Winter has already settled in here and we've had 3 major snowstorms. So, I couldn't keep getting by with a fleece jacket.

I saw this Swissgear coat at Walmart of all places. I will be very honest: I tend to choose aesthetics over practical and functional. Though, since turning 40 this month, I do find myself choosing comfort more. Something I never thought I would do, mind you. (I used to think I would wear heels forever, even if I had to bind my 90-year-old feet to shove them into heels lol!!)

So here is the persimmon or burnt orange coat.

It has an inner-elastic cinch system to bring in the waist. This kind of saves me from an otherwise very boxy, straight cut. I will take photos of myself in it soon, to add to the post. For now, these are the model photos. Just imagine it with some subtle waist cinching.

I feel I sold out a bit on my aesthetic goals. But I just have found myself being super busy with homeschooling, motherhood, and the house renovations. I have felt overwhelmed to scour the internet and stores for a new winter coat that fits all my aesthetic, practical and budgetary parameters.

Part of me regrets the purchase, and part of me doesn't at all. I can, of course, buy another coat, as pretty and impractical as I please. Iand I likely will. But it's such a strange feeling.

I've already removed the tags and worn it. It works nicely. It's just not... fancy. Or glamorous. I wore it with my chicken wellies to the post office. Now, I felt like a British sheep farmer. (The British countryside style isn't usually my thing, even though I love it on others.) But it was certainly easy and simple to run errands in.

Have any of you with more glamorous style found yourself hitting the easy or practical button? Do you compensate in other ways? Did you go out and buy another glamorous-not-practical-at-all fun coat?

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Dressing

32 replies

Latest reply was from Ket

slim cat

Veteran

I do practical most of the time but with one important requirement - I need to like the color. No black, brown or grey coats/puffers - horrible on me. The last one was dark green puffer on final sale - took a risk and it worked. I wear it all the time now with older grey one sitting in the closet.
I don't do glamorous - it's not needed in my life for now however I do some fun and unexpected from time to time .
Your new coat is bright, functional with great pockets - looks like it will serve you well this season! Waiting for the pics!

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I think I spent most of a decade, from when my first child was born at almost 30, to about age 37 when my third child was two, buying few clothes and hardly noting what I wore. It was the 90s and for me it was the leggings/long tops era. Otherwise I totally missed what 90s fashion was even about. I did eventually sort of “come up for air” and even though we weren’t very financial at the time (issues with hubby’s business purchase) he did suggest I buy a couple of new outfits which were more my preferred style of colourful. And that did help me to feel more like myself. I also gained a lot of pleasure from dressing the children, finding bargains that I still thought were attractive clothing to dress them in, for cheaper than I could get for myself.
So I think you can compromise. And the orange of the new coat is gorgeous, I think it will really suit your colouring.
Also, how different is British countryside style from Poldark really?!

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Plus, happy 40th!

Sal

Veteran

Yes for gear I choose function first. My hiking shoes, cycle jacket etc.

I like this coat- the colour will be lovely on you. You can wear it and not have to be precious when playing with your children etc..

Echo

Veteran

I am allll about the beautiful, quirky and impractical, and I have what feels like half a million coats to show for it. Even so, I have a coat very much like yours. It is cute, practical, WARM and comfortable, and everyone needs something like it. There are just some days where nothing else matters besides comfort and warmth. You made a GREAT purchase. As you said, there will be plenty of time to find the perfect coat to fit your aesthetic, but you have something wonderful in the meantime (and even after you find another coat).

Minaminu

Veteran

oh that's a toughie one! It is difficult to balance glam and windy/rainy weather! I like the pop of colour and I am sure it will work well with your style and hope you had a fab celebration for your 40th!

I have a 2in1 jacket for hiking which covers well my hiking requirements, a foldable rainy jacket (I like in the UK) and a trench for a spring rainy day for the office.

How about accessories, could they help balance the practical coat with some glam?

Irina

Veteran

It took my long time to accept functionality over design when it comes to winter outwear for my Canadian winters.

I think your coat’s color makes it stand out. I like it and hope it will work well.

Runcarla

Veteran

Even the ‘fashion girlies’ living in northern climes have a practical winter coat and appropriate boots for days when winter is the real deal.

I tend to prefer a minimal closet, but I have fashion coats and real life coats. Since coats are the outfit in places with real winters, I try to style my practical coats, but am of the conviction that a coat capsule wouldn’t be remiss!

My winter coats (in Finds) cover my current needs. #1 wine puffer - warmest for cold days. Covers my bum, cuts the wind, and has never let me down. Navy puffer, not really warm enough for below freezing, but can be layered with a micro puffer for extra warmth, and ‘okay’ for a grocery dash. #3 high wool content long coat that covers skirts and dresses. Can be layered for extra warmth. #4 wool blend car coat - my current favourite. The slightly oversized fit will accept bulky layers for increased warmth.

I don’t think there is a wool coat out there these days that will block wind and ensure warmth during the coldest Ontario winter days when daytime temps can be as low as -20degC. 10 years ago I lived in a place where the daytime winter norm was -20degC for days on end and -30 to -40degC was not unheard of. Cold is a ‘thing’ and comfort trumps style when it gets cold!

I love the colour of your new coat. Consider the purchase endorsed!

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Bijou

Veteran

Ket, I really understand this dilemma - my preference is for glamorous and tailored clothing - which was great when I worked in a formal office, I had a range of beautiful suits. Now I work for myself and work from a home office - it would be ridiculous to wear those lovely suits...

Ideally, you can cater to both your style and practicality. An example for what I previously wore (mint suit) and my practical version. It's not as glam, but it still feels like me. Accessories are now a bigger part of my style, because they add detail to what are otherwise practical outfits.

I could see a great knitted beret looking fab with this coat - keeping you warm and glam. Your coat is a good purchase. OK, so you don't love it - I have practical items in my wardrobe that I don't love too. My goal is that over time, I transition my wardrobe to work for the lifestyle that I live.

A friend of mine has a mother in her 60's who is 5 foot tall and wears stilettos (always). She went to Iceland to walk on a glacier and found her stilettos were great, just like ice picks! I admire her perseverance, but that is not for me, I'd be there in hiking boots. I may not love the boots or coat, but I would love my hat, gloves and scarf.

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Kate

Veteran

I much prefer dramatic, architectural coats, and have a lot of them. That said, I also love & need practical coats, which I buy in some of the bold colors I like, particularly orange. So, I heartily endorse your new coat. And by all means, buy yourself a glamorous coat too!

Star

Veteran

Practical certainly trumps glamour in the cold for me but it must be a preferred and flattering colour and and have some sort of flattering aesthetic. So half and half Yours looks good, all depends how you feel in it.

Anonymous

Yes to having a glamorous coat too
Here's mine:
Black one is packable- good for travel
Orange Marty McFly vest- bought for horseback archery, but good for hiking during hunting season
Olive HEAVY puffer- good for the rare bitter cold days
I have other coats too though!

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Michael by Michael Kors Missy 3/4 Down Faux Fur Trim Jacket

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Roberta

Veteran

i think it is both! Very practical and stylish in the "at the Sundance Film Festival to promote my directorial debut" kind of way.

bj1111

Veteran

If it’s any consolation—I WANT THIS COAT.

also—happy birthday. I hope you enjoy your forties. It is one of the most challenging decades with kids and transitioning to midlife adulting.

My fifties are going swimmingly —so if you ever get more overwhelmed, things will get better. Promise.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

That coat is SO up my alley (although I admit I don't wear orange)! I love the style. Those big flap pockets really make the style for me. I get that it's not a slam-dunk for your style, but I can see it turning more glam with the waist cinched and a wool beret, tailored gloves, leggings, and maybe fur-topped booties. Also, don't discount the style quotient of your hair and makeup, which will automatically add glamour as soon as you put on this coat.

Sometimes practical function can be quite elusive in a particular style. I like to layer, so dressing smartly in hot summer, in a way that feels true to my style, is my big challenge.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

First of all -- happy birthday!

Secondly, that is a great coat and is going to look fantastic on you as well as keep you warm. The style announces itself. The pockets!! It's utility chic.

Of course I also understand the dilemma. It doesn't seem to fit your desired/ preferred aesthetic.

Winter dressing is a compromise, for sure, and not always an easy one.

I wouldn't say I have a glamorous style at all. But my preferred style is more dressy than my environmental norm, and also more dressy than my physical environment and circumstances often allow. So it's aon ongoing project to come to terms with this. In my younger years I would buy impractical (and freeze, or slide around on precarious footwear, or not have anything to wear for every day.) Now I tend to err on the side of practicality for my every day wear but I DO treat myself to fun things from time to time, even if I know I won't wear them a whole lot. Example: silver slingbacks. Sequin tank. Tulle skirt. You get the idea.

I also look for items that may appear impractical but actually wash easily or are more durable than they might appear. Examples: a velvet shirt. Silver jeans. Off white booties -- with black rubber non-slip soles.

And I have a lot of coats! My climate is variable and I need them. For a dressy coat, I toodled off to the consignment/ thrift stores and found one that really fits the bill! I call it my Snow Queen coat.

But if you want to see the coat I wear most often in winter -- it's the simple puffer.

One note to add to all this -- you can "dress up" a practical coat with a beautiful scarf and hat -- and you are a knitter! Also, a utility style coat is great to juxtapose against dressier items. Works really, really well!

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TNA the new little puff long Long packable puffer jacket

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lyn67

Veteran

I think your new coat is really fab-
we all need a puffer for the big colds (I have two-black& cream)-so it is functional but the color--- I would say it's glamorous!! Enjoy!

rachylou

Veteran

Oh dang, I love the coat. I have a lot of fashion coats, but they don’t get worn much anymore because I have become weak, lol. I have the style v practicality problem with summer also. I prefer skirts for hot weather and skirts are generally more twee and pretty than I want to be, but I suck it up. I do my best to make them mine.

LaPed

Veteran

That coat has a lot of personality! The colour, the black accents, the patch pockets — I love it, and it would absolutely qualify as a style purchase for me, not merely practical. Wear and enjoy! You’ll be cozy *and* eye-catching.

Joy

Veteran

To me a practical winter coat is warm and light weight. That means probably down or fleece. I also want a two-way zipper and pockets big enough for gloves and a beanie hat. A hood is practical, so is water proofing. No belt to get caught in car doors is practical.

Helena

Veteran

You've got lots of great advice here ... My two cents is, nothing looks as good as warm feels in the winter it's taken me many years to put practicality first but the more I do, the happier I am, because it's what we *do* in the clothes that's most important and running around after littles and chickens means a sensible coat!

Within the confines of practical, you've do it with style! The colour is fab and I bet looks gorgeous on you!

Ket

Veteran

Oh, you fab ladies! You are just wonderful! Pics are coming -- promise! I am getting back on my feet after the holiday. But will post photos in next day or so

slim cat, I so agree on the color! I didn't intend to get burnt orange. I tend to prefer a green or plum/wine for my coats. Or a very special interesting brown. (The 1950s had some of the best examples of browns, tbh.)

Jenni, touche' on the Poldark ha! I think for me it's sometimes a fine line between British prep and Poldark. However, when we are getting down to the practical, real life living, the line perhaps gets blurred and it's okay. As for motherhood, I have experienced some getting lost in it myself, though lost myself for a time more due to health than anything else. But I hear you on that. Thank you for the bday wishes ♥

Sal, that is very true about it reducing the need to be precious. That is a total

Echo, you buoyed my heart ♥

Minaminu, I think I really want (and need) to up the accessories. I knit a lot. I do feel a bit more limited by the coat being orange. however, it probably doesn't really matter if accessories coordinate or compliment the orange.

Irina, I'm glad I'm not alone. It's taken me 20 years to reach this point. Thank you for the compliment on the color! I do love it. Not necessarily my first choice, but also glowy and yummy.

RunCarla, you speak so much wisdom! I'm hearing you and the others on honoring my need for functionality. as for wool... I have definitely found wool coats to be lacking, unless there is some kind of wind repellant liner. I do love a good wool coat, but I may need to knit or hunt one down in the next year or few. I love your coat choices!

madeline

Veteran

Great coat! Add a fun hat or glamorous hat if you feel like it. Excellent warm gloves with bling if you prefer.
Scarf optional but a cashmere scarf in a bright color to complement the orange coat and you are sorted!
I fully endorse your purchase. Enjoy the comfort of warmth AND style.

Ket

Veteran

Bijou, we are soul sisters in the glam department! I LOOOOOVE your style! OH MY GOSH! I'm drooling. Come dress me, my fab friend! I'm so inspired by your more functional wardrobe alone. We share similar tastes, you've put yours into practice better than I have until recently. "My goal is that over time, I transition my wardrobe to work for the lifestyle that I live." I just love this. Taking this to heart and will continue to experiment and see where it leads. You have inspired me to start knitting some chic turbans and hats!! So I'll report back once those are finished As for your friend's mother, my great-grandmother was similar! She stood for 8 hours straight at her surprise 90th birthday party, in a full glamorous, hand sewn, hand tailored suit (made by herself), girdle, nylons, and size 5.5 spike heels. Not a wince, not a word. She refused to sit as she greeted people coming to see her. Though, having hiked in Colorado, hiking Iceland in spike heels is a record!

Kate, oh thank you so much!! I do really love the color! I've somehow been finding lots of orange lately. I added 5 orange items to my wardrobe just in the last 2 months. But I love orange. I'm glad you love it too. Will see if a glamorous coat find me one of these days.

Star, I feel better about it the more I wear it. The fit is better since really snugging up the inner waist elastics. And it's actually refreshing not to worry about anything staining or ruining it. So I'm settling in.

Suntiger, I love your practical coats! Nothing beats a good down puffer. I will find a glam coat

Roberta, ooooo! Oh that is such a lovely image in my mind now! Thank you

Ket

Veteran

bj1111, what lovely wishes and kind words. Thank you so dearly! ♥ I became a mom a bit later, so I'm actually not even into middle school years Nonetheless, motherhood is still a transition as we enter grade school. And then yes, aging in general. I love hearing that your fifties are just sparkling! I really feel encouraged by that. So thank you for sharing. Check out Walmart for this coat, so you can enjoy it yourself!

Suz, thank you so much for the birthday wishes!! ♥ I really feel heard as I share in your dilemmas myself. I love your reminder to find items I really love and enjoy to add to the practical things, or are secretly practical and washable. That is a good reminder and tip! You have such a beautiful way of combining items in your style. So I'm inspired and taking notes! Plus your glam coat! OH MY GOSH! Suz... wow! It's spectactular! It somehow feels 1920s to me with the fur.

lyn67, thank you so much! The coat is winning me over.

rachy, you do such a wonderful job of owning your style!! It is so encouraging to know I'm not the only one who has the glamor/style v practicality thing going on. It's not just me!!!

LaPed, thank you!! I admit I didn't think of the details adding much impact. But I see what you're saying!

Joy, my orange coat definitely checks off all your points! I do wish this coat was down. I definitely cannot wear this coat with a thin blouse and be warm.

Helena, wow! I can't get over all you said. "Nothing looks as good as practicality feels." I'm slowly getting there! This coat is helping me shift. Not into total wild abandonment of all things glamorous. But I'm feeling the shift and it IS good! I do love being able to wear this with my kiddo and chickens and not worry about it being ruined with all the grossness. (Kids can be gross, and chickens absolutely can be gross. Poop everywhere haha!) So thank you for all of this.

madaline, thank you so dearly!! I am going to figure out a glam turban or hat, some mitts, etc. Might even knit or buy a whole set for the coat!

Ket

Veteran

I'm hearing everything you all have shared so wisely and warmly Since posting I've needed to wear my coat a lot. And... it's growing on me more and more! It's really nice not fussing about it being soiled, torn, etc. I DO want and need some accessories. I'll post on that separately, as I would like some feedback and ideas.

Thank you, my fabbers! You are gems, all of you.

♥

Rejoiceandbe

That coat is a lot more glamorous than my winter coat!
If you really want to personalize/glam- it-up a bit then a hat with a brim, a textured scarf and colourful mittens, plus some warm, stompy boots might do the trick.

Ket

Veteran

Thank you so dearly, Rejoiceandbe <3 I am definitely needing some winter boots next!! My uninsulated chicken wellies aren’t cutting it.

SarahD8

Veteran

You have gotten great advice here, but I just wanted to pop in and echo Suz's comments about the possibility of dressing up/juxtaposing this coat with dressier, handknit, and/or folkloric type accessories. I think you and I share a taste for style inspired by plucky heroines of days gone by, and one thing I often think about those heroines is that they were very practical women -- so if something as eminently useful (and beautiful in its own way!) as a bright orange puffer coat had been available to them, they would have said: Oh heck yeah! Maybe a rationalization, but one that I find useful for striking a balance of beautiful and useful in my own outfits.

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