Hi Astrid
I've just read your description of what kind of coat you need and I realise some of my finds may be ruled out automatically, but I'll post them in any case.
I also think that in order to get as warm as you want to be in Berlin winters some compromise might be worth considering - I think that down coats are the best choice for cold climates (what does Una say?), the whole principle being in the feathers making the better insulation as the wind gets worse. I don't think you can get that level of warmth from any otehr type of fillings, at least not in the longer sttyle of coats. The stitching is inevitable as that keeps feathers and down in the pockets in place. I agree the stitching in most cases is ridiculous, but there are still options out there. My requirements are similar to yours, smaller top and bigger bottom and I think it's very difficult to find that in the straighter cuts, which is what the long coats mostly are (e.g. Eddie Bauer one you linked - I can see it being tight over my hips and roomy at top). Therefore, some knee-length is a good option to consider too.
When I was buying my white puffer last year in July and expressed concern it might not be warm enough, Anna said her short down jacket was warmer than the longer poly filled one, which resolved the last doubts for me.
Btw, what about the department at Galeria Kaufhof at Alexander Platz which was full of down coats (ok, this was 3 years ago I'm recalling)? But, I still remember how upset I was that there was no time to browse it all, as it looked like there was every sort of coat imaginable there.
Anyway, today after the language classes I went for a little walk searching a gift for my Secret Santa's draw, and here are the findings from the new to me places. Also adding the tee shirt by LOGG similar to mine, which I mentioned on your other thread a few days ago.
#1 Vero Moda - a lot of stitching, but actually may work because the bottom part is wider. ETA: I just remembered, my sister has something similar from Zara (a few seasons old), and the jacket with that belt actually looks very pretty. She's got pear tendencies too. The belt seems to polish and offset those stitchings. Now that I think about this coat for you, it might really be worth a try.
#2 Cecil - short and to straight, but this is mostly to remind myself and you to perhaps check there as well.
#3 K&L - the stitching on this one does not look bad at all I think. The store seems to have very safe and perhaps too classic styles in general, but leave no retail stone unturned...
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