K/R Angie's pick Kensie coat and general coat angst - YouLookFab Forum

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K/R Angie's pick Kensie coat and general coat angst

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I ordered this coat on a whim, thinking it might be lightweight enough to function as a blazer-ish long jacket, not strictly as outerwear. Well, it's a bit warm and a bit loose to wear that way, but when I looked at it more as a coat (yes, the way it was intended!) I kinda like it. Here I am wearing it (pics 1-4) over a slightly roomy sweater with jeans -- probably the max thickness I would ever wear with this kind of coat.

For comparison sake, here are my other two long-ish wool coats. Pics 5-7 are my old (7 or 8 years old?) burgundy Laundry coat, and pics 8-10 are my Trina Turk black military coat from last year that I love.

Sorry the photos are so bad. Took them yesterday in not much light and with no makeup.

Is the old burgundy coat starting to look not so great for me? I like the color, the style seems classic, and it fits well. But I almost don't *see* it anymore, it's been in my closet so long. I definitely still wear it, but mainly as a cold-weather default when I don't want to wear more black. I need fresh eyes! Tell me what you think.

I have a hard time shopping for long coats, as opposed to shorter styles and jackets. Finding a good fit in fairly broad shoulders, wide hips, and a fairly narrow waist is not so easy. The current crop of man and cocoon style coats are interesting to me, but they are really hard for me to wear successfully without just looking big and shapeless -- many of them narrow at the hip and thigh but that is where I'm widest, so the tops of the coats are overwhelmingly big on me. I tend to look better in tailored styles that have some waist definition, but I want to look current!

So, what do you think of the Kensie coat, and is the old burgundy coat starting to outstay its welcome? Should I consider a new coat this season or wait another year? Any coats to suggest?

This is of course not counting my two pea coats. The cream tipped one I wore yesterday and the turquoise JCrew one I got last year. Those are great, but sometimes one needs a longer coat!

I welcome your thoughts!

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Kensie Plaid Walking Coat

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21 replies

Latest reply was from unfrumped

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

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I like the looks of the new coat from the photos. The burgundy coat still looks good, but there's something about the fuller 'skirt' of it that doesn't look quite as current.

I feel ya about the coat fitting issue. Anything I have to fit both the shoulders and the low hip (can we just say butt/thighs? I mean, that's what we're really talking about here, why be coy) is always a trial. That's one of the nice things about living in a warmer climate now, I can get away with jackets most of the time instead of long coats.

Diana

Veteran

I like the new coat, and the style is different enough from the other two that I think it has a place in your wardrobe.

I think the old burgundy still looks good. It looks like a classic trench style to me.

ETA: about the fitting hips thing. I find that if a coat buttons at the hips but pulls, assuming it's not just an issue of the waist being too low, it often works to just move the bottom button. You can move it an inch or so usually without affecting the line. A lot of times this will fix the issue.

lyn67

Veteran

I very much love the fit of the new coat and sadly, seeing it nearby the burgundy one I feel that the old one is on it's way out of your) otherwiese one of the most gorgeous ones here:-)) wardrobe. Because you asked, I feel, the bottom part flares out a bit more then needed for a curent look-others are still great to my eyes. Pls. keep the new one if possible!

Peri

Veteran

I like the new one best...it looks like you. Artistic with an edge. There is nothing wrong with the burgundy coat though, it is just more "plain". I like 8-10 also.

catgirl

Veteran

Janet, considering I live in year-round coat and jacket climate, I give coats relatively little thought... they are mostly to keep me as warm as possible. I'm saying that because I envy your "jacket-ish coat" looks here and elsewhere. Love the first one and I think the burgundy is quite classic and not out of date, though not cutting edge either. I think edgy coats have to be unique enough not to date, so I actually prefer classic styles like peacoats and reefers.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for the feedback, commiseration and suggestions! Diana, brilliant idea about the button. Una, you've hit on something for me. I think nearly every time I've tried to go trendier with a coat, it's not gone well. I don't wear out coats quickly, so it's better if the style is a bit more classic so I can wear it for years without it looking dated. I'm content enough with the burgundy one, I just wanted some other opinions in case there's something I'm not seeing. This has been helpful -- thanks!

I suspect that when it's time for a replacement for the burgundy coat, it will be a dark green or teal. I just realized that on Pinterest I keep pinning long green coats!

ElleH

Veteran

I love the new coat & the black coat. The burgundy is classic, not dated. But...I find the fuller skirt trench coats are more for girlier girls who wear fit & flare dresses. There are some YLF members who would prefer this style of burgundy trench but I don't think it is your style.

Anonymous

I love the new Kensie coat! It's a masculine style that still respects your trim waist. If it's as warm as the burgundy coat, I vote one in, one out. If you need the burgundy coat for warmth, by all means keep, but it doesn't look as edgy as you are. Is there a slightly ruffled skirt sewn on it halfway down? Not sure about that. I'm only being tough on it because your style is so fabulous, and I know you don't want to look dated. I'd say the old coat is a "classic essential" that might need updating down the road if you can't do it now.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I was just going to mention a button adjustment, Janet. Thanks, Diana.

I LOVE the Kensie coat on you. Super chic.

The burgundy coat looks fabulous. Please don't think otherwise.

You can ABSOLUTELY wear a cocoon coat too. I see no challenge at all. Try them on and show us. xo

Anonymous

Oops, sorry! I defer to Angie's opinion, of course.

Joyce B

Veteran

I think the new coat fits you beautifully, I would keep it.

ElleH

Veteran

Yes I defer to Angie's opinion too. I do love the burgundy coat but thought your issue with it might be that it is not you but she knows your style better than I do. I also forgot to mention that I think if you tried a longer cocoon coat it might work. You said the narrow hem ends at your widest part, but if it was longer that wouldn't be the case. That being said though, as someone mentioned earlier, the new one is more classic & will stay in style longer than a trendy cocoon one I think.

Tanya

Veteran

Love the new coat and hope that you keep it. It looks like a very versatile piece.

The burgundy coat is a classic that fits you well in a gorgeous color, so nothing wrong with it, I would keep it till you are sick of it.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, everyone! And Angie, special thanks to you. I will continue wearing the burgundy coat -- I just wanted to make sure I wasn't fooling myself that it still looked OK. And I'll keep the Kensie for a nice change of pace! I like the menswear vibe of it, and the simplicity of no belt, etc.

I'm kind of relieved I don't need to start an urgent coat search. I'm a bit shopped out now, after this coat and the new bag, and the blue boots, and my other recent purchases. I'm ready to resume hugging my closet.

jackiec

Veteran

I really like this coat, and am glad you are keeping it. It has a nice, sleek, menswear vibe which seems to suit your style well. I like your other coats - they are all so different that I think they are worth keeping. The burgundy colour is really nice on you.

ironkurtin

Veteran

I think your instincts are sound. Keep the new, out with the old.

greenglove

(website)

Veteran

Love the first coat- it is stunning.
The burgundy coat is lovely, the color so nice for you- no need to get rid of, I have a huge coat wardrobe because my coat needs to be just right for my outfit. So many people think this is crazy and have one winter coat, not me.
I sometimes start thinking about the coat before the outfit. It is the first thing that anyone sees as you enter anywhere.

The third is also gorgeous!

catgirl

Veteran

Janet, yes! My main wool coat is a beautiful black cashmere Fleurette peacoat, which I was only able to afford because it was at the consignment store. It is a longer length and a plain style, yet cut so well it fits like a dream. This is my ideal for a coat. In theory I can justify all kinds of outerwear, but since they must be functional, I've decided that, like bags, I'd really rather have a few amazing ones that will perform and look good.

My cheap bronze long puffer is going on 7 years now and I still love it. I have a old North Face long puffer for uber-cold days. And frankly, those few coats get me through most of the winter.

Marley

Veteran

You got blue boots????? Did I miss that thread? Are they the ones you are wearing in these pics? I noticed them immediately! I've been on (what feels like a life-long search ha!) for blue booties!
I'm glad that Angie chimed in here because I was thinking that all 3 of these coats deserve a place in your wardrobe. The burgandy coat is pretty on you - and every once in awhile it just feels good to look pretty, don't you think? ANyway - I love all of these coats - and because you live in a climate that calls for winter coats, I say keep and enjoy! (Along with that beautiful J Crew turquoise peacoat that I got to help you pick out last fall!!!)

Anonymous

I like the new plaid coat but, FWIW, the burgundy coat is actually my favorite of the three here. Love the color, the fuller skirt, and the trench styling. And I feel your long-coat-fitting pain!

unfrumped

Veteran

I really like that coat! Great subtle plaid and a great mix of straight-fitted, IFKWIM. I'm tempted to order!
Problem is, I probably should try to find "my" type of cocoon coat to go over big sweaters.
Is the Kensie quite fitted in the armholes? That's the problem with some classic styles now for the roomy-armhole sweaters.