K/R: Jil Sander coats for Austin and (hopefully) Portland - YouLookFab Forum

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K/R: Jil Sander coats for Austin and (hopefully) Portland

ironkurtin

Veteran

Background: I live in Austin, Texas, which is mostly hot but gets some cool and some rain. (Cross fingers.) The hope is that the family relocates next summer to Portland, Oregon, which is mostly cool and damp. So I really don't want to buy something that absolutely won't work in Portland.

Details: Both of these are returnable. Neither of them are even slightly waterproof, but I bet REI has something to fix that, so it's not necessarily a dealbreaker.

Orange coat: Jil Sander Navy, rayon knit. Princess seams. Has a classic-vintage vibe to me. I can wear a light sweater under because the fabric is a very stretchy knit, but nothing too bulky. The color is a juicy orange.

Purple coat: Jil Sander, polyester. More of a windbreaker trench, very airy and a bit oversized in the body. I can probably wear bulkier items under if I needed, but it's a light layer so I might not mix thicknesses that way (if you know what I mean). The color is a luscious red-purple.

Caveat 1: I own many coats, but none of them are colors (unless you count black and gray and denim). My entire wardrobe is, well, black, gray, white, nd denim-colored. So these would be a super fun way to splash out as a contrast.

Caveat 2: It's not a super huge death-dealing dealbreaker, but neither of these coats are cheap. I mean, for Jil Sander, yes, they are a bargain. But we're looking at a collective $300+ for coats, so I need to make sure I'm getting something something I will use.

What's your vote, K or R? Please say why.

Especially looking for feedback from PNWers!

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40 replies

Latest reply was from Sal

Anonymous

The orange one! That is so freaking zesty and fab and I like the silhouette on you. PNW! My dream destination too!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I am so in love with the colours that I can't think straight!

In all seriousness...I live in a different climate, but I would think #2 would be useful in spring, at minimum. A wind breaker type coat is usually rain resistant if not waterproof. Which is sometimes all you need.

I really like the classic fit of #1 on you. But it wouldn't be as easy to layer.

Angie has said in the past that if you live in the Pacific Northwest you can never have too many toppers and coats. I guess that is an answer.

But how certain is your move? Will you wear them in Austin?

My guess is that these would be transitional season coats in Portland, not winter wear. But spring and fall are long (ish) in those parts.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

ETA: in the photos I love both colours. But -- do you have a preference? And...what about flattery? I know that I would look great in the purple but like death in the orange. Not too many complexions look super fab in both those colours, I suspect. Which one suits you better?

Anonymous

I should note that irrationally, I'd keep both. Although, the orange one really sang to me. I have a horrible coat, jacket, sweater habit and living in GA, no less. I have a nasty tendency to buy what appeals to me, rather than what is practical, but I do agree with Suz that you really couldn't go wrong with either (both!).

ironkurtin

Veteran

Suz, I actually think both colors are weirdly flattering. I think you can see some of my face in these pics to tell? The orange is more so when my hair (I have hair now) is down.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Yeah, they look good in the photos, but you know...photos are just...photos. And I know that for my own WIW or K/R pics the representation isn't really true enough to judge colour flattery most of the time. If something is downright soul sucking it usually shows (but then I don't usually post it here, LOL). But apart from that, some colours look okay to the camera but a lot less okay IRL (to me). Or at least, I can see the differences more IRL.

Aquamarine

Veteran

I can't speak to the PNW suitability, but I love the shape of the orange one on you but prefer the purple one for its color. Wish you could merge them into one coat!

rabbit

Veteran

I think both are Portland suitable as long as they are okay with being dripped on. I actually rarely wear a raincoat here unless it's pouring, most people just deal with scattered drips/damp on whatever they are wearing or wear gear if they are walking or biking far. I avoid wearing leather on drippy days, but that's about it.

It's also rarely super cold here (maybe for a week or two), so for example I think the first coat would be fine a lot of the time if the weather was crisp, but not icy, although having a little more room underneath gives you more flexibility.

I like both colors with a slight preference for the orange, both from what I can see of how it works with your skin tone, and how it will work with your core neutrals. (Orange also tends to be great on overcast days in my experience).

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I would wear the second one in Seattle for three seasons (Spring through Fall), layered over sweaters when needed. It's the kind of coat I reach for a lot here.
The first one I hesitate on, because knits usually aren't warm enough for me; breezes penetrate them. If that's not an issue for you, I imagine you'd get a lot of good out of it, too.
I like the looks of both of them on you. Slight preference for the sleek style of #1 as well as the orange color on you (from what I can tell online).

catgirl

Veteran

As long as you are planning to get a real raincoat for rain, these are both great. I wouldn't try to make them into rainwear though. Love the orange one.

Tina

Veteran

A seriously tough call. I think the orange flatters your complexion just a wee bit more according to the photos. I'm also smitten with that style and it looks like it would be a nice topper/jacket because of the fitted style. It looks very flattering on you.
The purple is such a different style it's hard to compare, although I love this style as well. The color is beautiful and may read just slightly more 'spring' because of the vibrant hue. It also suits you well.
I'm not a PNWerner so I can't speak to that.

Your hair!! It's finally past the sheer agony stage. I can so relate, I started from above the ear short in 2012, it took about 18 months for it to get past the 'I'm growing it out' stage.

ironkurtin

Veteran

I should clarify this isn't an either-or. I can keep both coats, or one, or neither. They're very different (as you've all spotted).

Diana

Veteran

I like the shape and color of the orange, but I gotta say: rayon knit sounds like an extraordinarily useless fabric for a coat. Not warm, not structured, not wind or water resistant. But it might make a nice indoors jacket... Think like Janet's long black jacket.

The orchid one is a nice color but shape-wise it just looks like a raincoat, and if that's what you're going for I'd get one that's actually waterproof.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Agreeing with Firecracker that knit jackets are limited wear. I don't own a single one.
Also you will stand out in those, color wise.

ironkurtin

Veteran

Diana and AG and Firecracker, I know what you mean about rayon, but this is a really robust thick knit. I was surprised too! It isn't thin like a sweater, it's like those vintage polyester double knit ones you can find sometimes in vintage stores. It's pretty darn warm, definitely wind proof, and as you can see it's got a reasonable amount of stiffness and structure. So I hear what you're saying but I'm not sure it applies to this coat as a nay. In NYC this would be a fall-to-early-winter and early spring coat. If that makes sense.

catgirl

Veteran

Oh, is this knit? Then mostly decorative. You are better off with a good wool coat (could do an orange peacoat!) and a real rain trench.

ETA: just saw your post above. The only way to know is to test it out.

ironkurtin

Veteran

Aaaaaaarrrggghh...

Aida

Veteran

Hmm even with the knit being robust I'd be inclined to think of the orange coat as more of a long jacket and for primarily indoors. My long coats are all heavy wool and lined, though I think where I live is a wee bit cooler than Portland (I'm a 3-4 hour drive north). It could be worn in early fall and mid-late spring as outerwear, though. The purple looks like a good functional coat, but not a type of coat I personally reach for. If it's wet, I just wear a hat and trench. If trenches aren't your thing, then it looks like it'd work quite nicely as a rain coat (esp. with the length).

catgirl

Veteran

Girl, you wanted advice!

Honestly I keep lots of impractical outerwear for fun - I have a full year of weather that requires some outdoor topper and always find enough days to wear even the self-indulgent stuff. But you will need more than these for the weather situation.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Plus there is the whole buying for a climate you don't know yet.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

The orange color looks really great on you, from what I can see. The fit is nice, provided you won't be wearing anything with any bulk under it. It looks quite fitted, so if you have any ideas of layering under it, I think it could be problematic. I'd almost like to see a size up, just out of curiosity. I can see this as an indoor/outfit topper piece rather than outerwear, so I can see where the others are coming from in their assessment.

I'm having a bit of trouble assessing the fuschia one on you, style- and fit-wise, because of the way you're standing and holding your arms. It looks like it has a bit of a swing coat vibe, which could be a nice change of pace. I think the orange color is nicer on you (which is unusual, because I think orange is the harder color for most of us to wear!), but this is certainly not bad at all.

How do they feel? Do the colors make you happy? The colors really are a departure from your usual neutrals, but that just means they could be a really nice punch in your wardrobe.

columbine(erin)

Veteran

I'd keep both since you can. But you'll need a warmer coat as well if you really do move.

ironkurtin

Veteran

I'll post my winter coat rundown, I definitely have wool and heavier coats from NYC. I also have a long trench and a shorter gear raincoat. So I'm covered as far as utter practicality goes.

Honestly, I love these colors and the way both fit. Maybe I'm trying too hard to make them "useful" instead of accepting them as "fun."

Anonymous

Really like the looks of them both! I have no opinions about weather usefulness, but I think the orange feels more like "you" somehow. Something about the more structured cut with the slightly unusual pocket detail on top, plus the bolder color. (I know you mostly don't wear color, but there's something about the orange that seems like it would be more of a statement with an all-neutral outfit.)

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I think if you love them and you're excited to wear them, you should keep them! It sounds like you will have opportunity to wear them, and we all know that I'm a big advocate of having a variety of toppers and outerwear. In all honesty, I feel like we tend to make things we love (that have at least enough practicality) work for our lives, as long as they're not wildly off the mark (parkas in Florida, for example). I'm sure a lot of people would be horrified that I wear my leather jackets in rainy weather, but I do, and with no bad results.

Tina

Veteran

I agree with Janet, if you love them you will wear them when you can and they'll make you happy when you do.
I am not anywhere near where you are now or even if you move to Portland, I'm in northern Alberta. I know I would get wear out of both, not in late fall or in winter but the rest of the time. I know what weight you're talking about with the orange coat and I agree, it would work for at least some cooler weather. Another possibility is to wear it as a topper, even in winter, with another layer over it. Keep them both if you're excited about them.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Yup. If you love them, you'll wear them. Simple as that! And there's ALL kinds of weather except super hot in the PNW. So there will always be some days for putting them on, and won't you feel happy when you can?

jackiec

Veteran

Love the orange. Colour & fit. Personally I'd wrap a scarf around my neck a few times and be good to go. And I live in the rain.

rabbit

Veteran

Well I've lived in PDX for about 15 years on and off and never had a true wool coat or a long coat that wasn't a trench. I had gear puffers and raincoats, some velvet and corduroy jackets, some fauxwool pea coats that weren't designed for performance but for fashion, and that did me, so I'm really not feeling that every coat has to be very weatherproof outdoors, especially if you already have or will get gear. It's very different than experiences I had living on the east coast or the midwest. Also we don't get sea wind in PDX, in fact it's rare to get a lot of very windy days (outside of wind storms).

That said, sometimes when I've tried to buy way ahead for something (the season, a trip, etc.) it doesn't really work out when I actually am ready to go or in the new place, so I'd think about how much use you would get before moving.

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