Keep or return: Two new jackets - YouLookFab Forum

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Keep or return: Two new jackets

JAileen

Veteran

First jacket is Kuhl. It is very sporty, lightly insulated with a big collar that turns up into a giant funnel. I would use this jacket around town and probably hiking/birding. I like the fit, but I'm not sure about the collar. The quality seems high. Should I keep it?

Second jacket is Wildflower. It was on sale at Macy's. It's hard to tell, but it is Black Watch. Usually I try to only buy natural fibers, or high percentage wool, which this is not. It is mostly polyester. However, I kind of like the fit - boyfriend jacket, maybe? Plus, it was marked down to $29! Should I keep it?

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34 replies

Latest reply was from JAileen

deb

Veteran

Janet, the birding jacket is perfect. I think you will be able to wear it a lot. The sort of pea coat I am not sure of. don't you have something similar?

JAileen

Veteran

Deb, thank you. I wondered about the giant funnel. If I don't zip it up all the way, it's just a collar. As to the other jacket, yes, I probably have a couple like it, but none are Black Watch. It's also not super warm.

Helena

Veteran

Love the first jacket ... I like the collar, it looks interesting and adds warmth when you need it. The second one looks nice; you sound unsold though - if the price was higher would you still like it, so you think?

JAileen

Veteran

TG, I saw it a few weeks ago and it was $65 or so and I didn't buy it. I came back today and it was still there but now marked down to $29. It's not perfect. Perfect would be pure wool with a quilted lining. The closest I've seen is the Pendleton down jacket. It went on sale from $500 to $250. Quite a bit more than $29! I already have several down jackets (four or five I think, of different weights).

Anonymous

I really like the first jacket and it sounds useful. The second is ok but would you have bought it if it were full price?

Helena

Veteran

Yes, I get that ... Perfect is all fine and well if budget was unlimited!! If you'll get good use out of it, then $29 can't be beat ... I wouldn't be out off by the polyester if it looks and feels nice. It looks like a pretty classic style to me.

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

I like the first jacket. It looks better on you and seems to be more versatile as well.

JAileen

Veteran

Joy, no I wouldn't have bought it at full price, because it's not perfect (all wool, etc). My son was home at Christmas and I asked him to clean out his closet. He came out with a Black Watch jacket he had bought in college from a thrift store. It is truly perfect. It was made in Italy for someone, and fit him like a glove.

TG, well, I tried to have an unlimited budget, but I didn't win the Powerball! It actually feels like alpaca - kind of furry. It doesn't feel bad at all.

JAileen

Veteran

Maneera, thank you. I guess the collar isn't too weird. The jackets aren't in competition with each other. The first one, as Deb said, will be very useful for my life. The second one isn't bad for $29.

Helena

Veteran

JAileen, we need to coin a new term for the "budgetarily confined" among us ... "JPE" - just perfect enough

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Perhaps a formula that takes into account fun vs. cost per wear? Cost of fun per wear? Hard to tell exactly how the second one looks with the ipad in the way (believe me I have the same problem taking mirror shots), but I think they both look like good choices.

JAileen

Veteran

TG, Shevia, yes, I think the bar should be set lower for a $29 jacket than a $500 one. I guess I could buy the Pendleton down jacket, but it's kind of redundant with my other down jackets, plus it's $250. This one is kind of redundant with some wool jackets I have, but it's only $29 but it's also Black Watch!

MsMaven

Veteran

I love the first jacket. The collar doesn't seem to be too big to me. I have a somewhat similar one in that color and although I'd never had anything like it, it is a workhorse for me.

Not so sure about the fit on the second one. The most important questions are how you feel in it and will it fill an important role in your wardrobe. I've bought coats and jackets on sale--great bargains--but they just sit in my closet for a year or two unworn. (I've got a couple of those right now.)

JAileen

Veteran

MsMaven, the consensus seems to be that the first one is good and that the collar isn't too big. My husband liked it, too. I like the way it feels when I'm wearing it. I thought the collar was too big. I'm glad everyone likes it.

I'm surprised that the consensus on the second jacket isn't more positive. I was thinking it would be something to throw on and run errands. I love plaid.

Brooklyn

Veteran

Bit late here, but I love the first jacket. I think the collar is interesting. Looks fab.

shaz

The first one looks great, nice fit nice coller etc don't think the second one is as good a fit on your shoulders and arms as the first jacket but looks Cosy and like the length of it on you

rachylou

Veteran

Love the funnel collar and I think the $29 jacket is something you could very well end up wearing to death... I love the double plaids with the scarf.

Kiwimom

Like everyone else, I love the first coat. Think it's quite slimming which is always a good thing with a coat.

Not so sure on the black watch coat - I think the proportions are off. It might only be $29 but for us budgetary confined people that's still $29 you could spend on something else - perhaps something you really love rather than think is just ok. If you don't love love love it, I'd send it back.

Glory

Veteran

I am voting to keep both jackets! I agree that a $29 jacket cannot be held to the same standard as a $500. Number 2 is a fun jacket and I like the idea of throwing it on to run errands, and that it is roomy so you don't need to worry about a bulky sweater fitting underneath. I think it could be a great go to jacket.

JAileen

Veteran

Brooklyn, thank you.

Shaz, I know the shoulder is way off my shoulder in the second jacket. That's why I thought it was a boyfriend jacket, if there is such a thing.

Rachy, thank you. I was wearing the scarf yesterday with a grey down jacket and just didn't take it off. Do you really think it looks good with another plaid?

Kiwi, yes to slimming! Re fit on the second, do you mean the shoulders? Isn't that a boyfriend jacket fit?

Glory, thank you. I think you get how I feel about the second jacket. A fun jacket. And yes to a sweater underneath. BTW, the first jacket wasn't even close to $500. That was the original price of the Pendleton Black Watch down coat which looks like a very fine coat.

Anonymous

I like the fit of the peacoat--maybe people are objecting to the low shoulder seam? Maybe it's intentionally low? I'm not sure.

JAileen

Veteran

Smittie, thank you. I thought the dropped shoulder was intentional. I've been calling it a boyfriend jacket, but I don't if that's what it really is. Maybe it went on steep discount because no one could figure out the fit.

retailgirl

Veteran

For $29, I'd keep the second one. Pea Coat! Check. Black Watch! Check. $29! Check. I know the Pendleton you're referring to, nice but ten times as much. I know what you mean about it not being 100% wool, but that seems hard to find unless you go up, up, up in price.

JAileen

Veteran

Retailgirl, thank you for your thoughts. Yes, the Pendleton one looks really nice. The pure wool coats I see on Nordstrom, for example, are often approaching $1000. I'm sure this one isn't as nice as them, but it's only $29. I think I'm going to keep it. It may not be an everyday jacket, but we have plenty of days that are cool rather than cold.

Anonymous

I bet you'll get good use out of it.
btw, I also like the birding jacket, and prefer it with the collar down.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

The first jacket looks okay for hiking and birding. Nice fit from the front. It seems very big around the top arm and shoulder though. Do you get the same impression? (Collar looks better down).

I like the fit of the plaid coat quite a bit.

JAileen

Veteran

Smittie, I agree with you. The collar up looks ridiculous.

Angie, I'm glad you approve of the fit of the plaid one. The first one actually feels really good through the shoulders. When we're birding we have our arms up holding binoculars, so we definitely need some ease. Here's a picture of the back. My arms are up holding my ipad. This past year I've bought and returned a lot of jackets that felt constricting in the shoulders and arms. For instance I really love the JCrew downtown field jacket. The size that fit me in my body was too tight in the arms and shoulders, and the next size up made me look like a big shapless blob.

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Got it! Then you're in good shape, Jaileen. Enjoy your new jackets.

LaPed

Veteran

That Kuhl jacket is great. Def keep. With the mostly-poly one, one more thing to consider: does it seem like a lint magnet? I'm feeling very frustrated with a black poly/wool blend jacket I picked up for $20 -- super nice fit and cozy soft, but sucks up every piece of fuzz I encounter -- one of the drawbacks of cheap fabrics. (Luckily my own hair is dark...)

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