It is almost a point of pride (it seems) among some of us who live in these climates to get through winters in one outer wear garment.
When I was growing up, the issues were financial. Nobody could afford multiple winter coats (especially for children who grow so quickly) so you made do with one and that was it!
When I joined YLF (at the age of over 50) I was still living in a mentality like that. Well, okay, I had a short "gear" type jacket bought on super sale from the boys' department at MEC 15 years back...plus my one winter "coat" - whatever that might be. I even felt a little bit guilty that I had these two. After all, I "should" be able to get by on just one!
Well, I joined YLF following a big weight change. I needed a whole new wardrobe -- there was no getting around it. And in my first year here I promptly laid out the money for TWO winter coats (one wool and one knee length puffer).
It almost killed me to spend so much. One wasn't even on sale, and this represented a big chunk of my budget and meant I had to buy most of my other clothes -- including my winter boots -- on super sale or by thrift/ consignment. So it wasn't an easy decision -- it did mean doing without in other areas.
But now we are on winter 3, and those coats still look sensational and perform really well for me. Meanwhile I've been able to work slowly towards improving the quality of the rest of my wardrobe. And believe it or not, I am also slowly adding to the coat wardrobe. Two is not enough! I bought a short pea coat last year for wearing with pants and in less frigid temperatures. I would like at least one more coat -- possibly two. A brightly coloured pea coat and perhaps another puffer in a lighter colour.
Now, I'm firmly in the camp that feels that most Canadians need and deserve a veritable wardrobe of coats. Especially those of us who live in metropolitan areas and walk a lot. When my daughter was little (in a snuggly or stroller) that certainly described me. I was walking all. the. time. (Often hoping she'd fall asleep in the stroller ....)
A puffer is great with baby in tow because -- it is washable. It is lightweight. It is warm. It covers and niftily disguises a multitude of "sins." It is versatile. And this one is stylish enough to give you confidence when you go into a store, a government office, a preschool, a library -- all the kinds of places you might go.
In fact, along with Adelfa, I'd hazard a guess that as a MOTG you are seen more often in your coat than most working parents are seen in theirs -- and this matters.
You will not regret this. And please show this to Mr. Peacechick. And promise him that we won't urge you to spend irresponsibly or stupidly.