Keep/return advice - YouLookFab Forum

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Keep/return advice

RobinF

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Ordered this beautiful coat but I can't decide if I like the fit. I wanted a coat that I could wear in my daily life instead of always pulling out my boring black puffer. This is a little dressier than I normally wear so that is probably part of the question in my mind. I would normally consider myself a casual dresser but I do like the idea of casual daily outfits with a more tailored coat.

Pros - it is a petite which is a requirement for me in a coat, beautiful, soft fabric and color exactly what I was hoping.

Cons - it seems to bunch a little bit on the shoulders and give me a quarterback vibe - am I just not used to the style? Are the shoulders too big? Sleeves seem a little long. That might not bother me, I would rather have a little long than too short but I would not keep if they need to be altered. Finally, not sure about the slight ridge on the back. I don't notice it in person but do in the photos.

I had DH take a few pictures for me so the I could see it without my arm doing the selfie. In the first group of pics I am wearing a heavy-ish cardigan underneath. For the last few I took that off and just left my tee. Not sure I can see a difference but since it is a winter coat I will usually be wearing some sort of sweater underneath it.

Are there some other considerations I might be missing? What do y'all think?

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Lauren Ralph Lauren Petite Notched-Collar Walker Coat

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27 replies

Latest reply was from Sal

Carol

(website)

Veteran

I am totally with you on the dress coat thing--most feel too stiff for me. But I am also with you on the idea of wearing it casually. I think that is unexpected, and a good way to go.

It is a nice coat, and looks great from all angles. Myself, I would want a slightly shorter sleeve, but if it were an everyday coat, I would just cuff it. I also prefer something slightly shorter, which is maybe why dress coats don't always appeal.

In this material, I love a toggle coat, pea coat, and trapeze coat, all of which have an everyday feel to me.

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

SO nice to see you post, RobinF! Fab to see you and your gorgeous silver curls in earth tones. Rocking it

Sleeve lengths like that can work well in cold Winters - and good job getting a petite! Make sure they don't bother you, though.

I see ZERO line-backer vibes. I see a person in a beautiful coat that fits well. Looking dressier and Euro. Make sure you can layer underneath it properly and are COMFY. And that it's warm enough.

Irina

Veteran

The coat fits you well in my opinion. The sleeves are not too long and the color is great on you. Love it!

I think wool coats must not only look good but feel good. I made several mistakes with it. In the past I bought coats that looked good but felt too uncomfortable with the warm layers or with scarves. How do you feel in it?
I used to have very similar coat from BR some years ago. My favorite outfit with it was to wear mid blue jeans, grey cashmere turtleneck and black oxfords. It is such a classic that possibilities are endless.

Star (Lise)

Veteran

Looks good. Stylish and a versatile colour. Good to see you!

JAileen

Veteran

I like this idea of a wool coat instead of the puffer. Carla would layer a puffer vest underneath. It’s a pretty color on you and the fit is pretty good. I wonder about the sleeve length. If it doesn’t bother you, though, then you should keep it.

Bonnie

Veteran

It is a beautiful coat and fits you well. I like a bit longer sleeve on cold days and it does seem to fit your arms like the product photo. I vote to keep.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

What Angie said -- it's a gorgeous coat and really terrific colour on you! Love it. I understand about the sleeves but in colder weather that length is good. If worst came to worst, after you wear it for a year, you could always have them altered. I know you said you won't keep if you have to alter, but if the coat is a workhorse (which is ought to be!) then you might change your mind.

Chris987

Veteran

It looks great to me, but be sure you really like it before keeping.

As a fellow petite, I would suggest you DO get the sleeves shortened if they bother you. I almost always need to do this even on petite coats, even taking into consideration that I want coat sleeves a bit on the long side. Having coat sleeves that feel like "the right length" is such a huge improvement over "looking too long". You said they seem just a little long in this case so that could be fine without alterations.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I think it looks great on you! I see no fit issues. Just make sure it’s comfortable with the layers you would typically wear under it.

I like the vibe of a tailored coat with a casual outfit. I’m really embracing the juxtaposition thing lately, combining dressier and more casual or sporty items, to not look so one-note or predictable. I think this would look perfect with day-to-day wear.

Star (Lise)

Veteran

Back to say I agree with JANET that it will look really good with casual day to day wear.

Kate

Veteran

I love a more tailored coat over jeans, and that color is splendid on you. Absolutely no linebacker vibes—the coat is a great fit on you. Just make sure you can layer under it if that’s how you’ll be wearing it.

LJP

Veteran

I have to be a spanner and say that I think you can do better . Either the fit is slightly off or the wool and lining are not robust enough but you shouldn’t see the outline of your clothing through the back . That would be a deal breaker for me . I’m also not loving the assymetric pocket flap situation .

Cookie

Veteran

I like it and think it is just normal, not dressy. Like maybe it would look a bit strange with workout clothes but fine with jeans.

LJP

Veteran

To add : I don’t get linebacker vibes at all - that part is not an issue . The sleeve length is also bugging me . Sorry to be a downer .

Jenni NZ

Veteran

It’s great to see you Robin! I have sleeves a tiny bit long on some toppers and don’t mind. Actually my favourite coat has only 3/4 sleeves which is odd, and when I got it (over a decade ago) my husband said “they accidentally cut off part of the sleeves” or some similar remark. I like the look of this coat on you and it would be a nice change from your black puffer. It is a beautiful colour.

Brooklyn

Veteran

I think it looks awesome. The long sleeves would not bother me but I like uber long sleeves on everything (hello thumbhole tops). You have to be comfortable with it. Have you tried giving it an iron? That might help with the fall of the fabric. No quarterback vibes.

Runcarla

Veteran

I see what LJP sees vis a vis the fabric and lining. This lack of ‘robustness’ might be why there is a crinkle in the collar as well. Not seeing linebacker. Shoulder fit looks good. Sleeves are too long. I think you are on the right track with regards to an alternative to your puffer. This seems to be something that falls into the ‘forever’ coat (really more like 10 years) and I think you can do better.

I see it’s a ‘wool blend’. What is the fabric composition in %?

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I will also disagree with some of the others here. I think you can do better on the fit. From the back, in picture 4, the diagonal folds suggest that it is a little too wide across the top of the back for you, while the fit is just a bit more snug than I would like in the hip. The coat seems slightly the wrong shape for you. If you are wanting to wear it over sweaters in the winter, I wonder about looking for more of a cocoon shape. That style could also feel a little less dressy and easier to wear. I'm also very swayed by luxe fabric and colors, so I totally get why this coat is so appealing. It looks beautiful and beautifully made, and I do think it looks wonderful from the front. It's very close to right, and it could certainly work for you. I'm just being frank in responding to the questions. (Fwiw, I don't see quarterback, either.)

LJP

Veteran

I was trying to find it online to get more information about the pricing, fabric and lining but it appears to be sold out.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

I don’t see any “linebacker” issues, and I like longer sleeves for winter. What gives me pause is the back view. It looks a bit wide at the top yet the line at the hip area looks like it might be the outline of your sweater, suggesting snugness in that area. Is the coat roomy enough when layering underneath? It could just be the lighting though, sometimes cameras make lines appear when they don’t IRL.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I'm back to add that I think the fit looks much better in photo 7. So perhaps you would wear this coat more with fitted layers underneath and wear your bulkier layers with your puffer.

Dee

Veteran

So nice to see you post RobinF, I like this coat in theory, lovely colour for you, good length too but if your intention is to wear it during the colder months of winter, you'll need more than a thin layer underneath. The fit looks off with the bulky cardigan and the sleeve length is rather long as you mentioned. These style of coats can be a tricky item to get the fit just right.

Lisa

Veteran

Beautiful coat on you. It looks very versatile for style and color (a lovely classic). As others mentioned I'd confirm with the clothing you'll wear if the fit will work for you. (I've often gone up a size in winter coats because I would layer blazers and bulky sweaters underneath them). If the coat works with your chosen clothes then it's a keeper!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Absolutely no linebacker here and the cut and color really work beautifully. Perfect with casual clothes as Janet points out. I see Lisa and Sharan's concerns but did not notice them myself.

avicennia

Veteran

I agree with Lisa and Sharan — you can do better, the shoulders and bunched up material at the bum would bother me. If you find something that fits well across the shoulders and bum, I urge you to reconsider the hesitancy to alter. Fit is important and very few things fit perfectly off the rack. Especially for petites.

RobinF

Veteran

Thank you so much everyone! I so appreciate you all taking a look and giving me feedback. The hesitations are exactly my own so it does reinforce that it’s not all in my head! I need to wear it around the house some more before deciding, and try it with various outfits. I don’t expect perfect fit but I also don’t want to talk myself into it and then never wear it because something feels “off”.

Looks like it is 61% wool, 24% polyester, and others.

About the sleeves alterations, I do often alter my clothes but I generally do it myself and this type of sleeve isn’t something I would undertake. I could have it done but knowing myself, I probably wouldn’t

Sal

Veteran

It is a lovely coat and I am not sure on the size. I think the sleeves would need an alteration.

Good luck with the decision. I do think having a smart wool coat is a great way to make even a very casual outfit feel more special, and such a good base to build scarves and hats around. I have worn my similar one a lot. I do hope to get another wool one in a clear colour as well - one day - but in the shorter term my next coat will be a replacement puffer.

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