NAS round two -- trenchcoat showdown - YouLookFab Forum

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NAS round two -- trenchcoat showdown

Runs With Scissors

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A few quick updates, in case they help anyone.

The gray Caslon open knit blazer arrived. It fit me like the red one (i.e. very well). So it's a keeper, even though that means I will have three of them. I can wear them year round, and I never leave the house without a topper, so all in all I will have plenty of chances to use them.

The size 10.5 Born Adia boot in brown arrived. I ordered it after seeing several reviewers sized down. I didn't need to. Size 10.5 will go back. Size 11 is staying.

Finally, Round one of the Black Trenchcoat Showdown -- up first were the double-breasted Betsy Johnson corset-back trench, and the Via Spiga single-breasted with sewn-down pleats. I liked them both but the Via Spiga fits better -- the Betsy Johnson one was tight in the shoulders/upper arms in a way that typically means that the armholes are too big. Plus I didn't like the sheen of the fabric. The fuller hem and corset details were cute though, and so really it was down to fit and comfort.

Tomorrow the Lauren Ralph Lauren one arrives and it will compete against the Via Spiga. Exciting stuff, I know! Thanks to Diana for calling this one to my attention!

Derpy pics of me in the Via Spiga just over what I happened to be wearing today. The Nordstrom's site said this runs large, but I would say TTS. This is size S, and I am typically 4 or 6 for tops.

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Caslon Cotton Knit Open Front Blazer (Regular & Petite)

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Børn 'Adia' Block Heel Bootie (Women)

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Betsey Johnson Corset Back Trench Coat

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Via Spiga 'Scarpa' Hooded Single Breasted Trench Coat (Regular & Petite)

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Lauren Ralph Lauren Faux Leather Trim Trench Coat (Regular & Petite)

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23 replies

Latest reply was from Angie

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

The Via Spiga looks great. But you need to try the MK too - for completeness sake.

Michael by Michael Kors Hooded Trench Coat (Regular & Petite)

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Michael by Michael Kors Hooded Trench Coat (Regular & Petite)

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crazyone

Veteran

I think the Via Spiga looks great on you! But I have the MK trench for last year and quite like it, so that might be worth giving a whirl.

MTBGirl

Veteran

That does look good on you! I ordered the MK in Angie's find. The medium was too small in the arms/back so I'm waiting for the large.

Runs With Scissors

Veteran

Angie and crazyone -- YES. think you are right. I need to try the MK trench also. I think I passed it by originally because it has no waist shaping. I have a booty for sure, and it needs a little room. But, looking at the stock photos of the blue one -- that model might just have a booty, and it looks good on her. And look at the lady in the red one -- fantastic! I love the way the coat looks worn casually open over jeans. I love her whole outfit actually!

Donna -- thanks for the input on the sizing. I will err on the side of ordering both S and M to for comparison. Not sure how the removable liner might affect the fit, too. The other ones I tried don't have that. Given our relatively warm Winters here in SE Texas, I wonder if the MK one could be my Winter coat, especially with the liner in -- we'll see!

I love the blue one Angie linked, and it would definitely be a departure for me. But does one need to have a largely neutral wardrobe to make the most of a bright coat like that? I have a healthy amount of color in my closet. I'm leaning toward staying with black for its versatility. But input on this is most welcome.

My original vision was to get a trench that would work with my fit and flare skirts/dresses. To me the Via Spiga has a retro look I love, and its streamlined fit is quite flattering. But when I think about what I'd like to wear with pants/jeans, the MK one looks much cooler. Hm.

To complicate matters further, the Ralph Lauren one arrived today and it is quite nice too. (Pic below.) It fits (maybe not *quite* as well through the arms as the Via Spiga, but pretty well really) and I like the longer length and fullness. But, the Via Spiga is more flattering with its slimmer fit. I think. Opinions?

The Born Adia in the burgundy color arrived today. They are lovely but I should really send them back because I can't part with the brown ones. Wah, I don't want to, though!

I tried to take a picture to show their lovely color, but there was interference ...

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crazyone

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I also have a booty, and hips and thighs to go with it, but the MK trench works for me. It doesn't flare out, but the belt allows for waist definition.

Maybe it's the pants rather than the skirt that's throwing me off, but I like the fact that the RL one looks a little longer? My one qualm with the Via Spiga was that it was a little short on you.

Runs With Scissors

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You know, I think you are right about the length ... also the extra fullness in the RL would be great with fuller skirts and my closet is full of 'em ...

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

So far, so good! It will be good to see the comparison with RL and MK coats.
As to your question: "does one need to have a largely neutral wardrobe to make the most of a bright coat like that?" My experience is no, not really. I had a green trench coat (by Gallery) several years ago, and it was my go-to coat for a few years. It was a gorgeous shade of green that I loved wearing, and I think it really served as a neutral for me! I think the key in wearing a colored coat is that it must be a color you love. Then it can go with practically any other colors you love to wear. You will bend that color to your will.

Oh, and that green coat of mine was a compliment magnet!

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Runs With Scissors

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Oh Firecracker, your green coat is beautiful! Green is my favorite color. The sapphire blue is a color I don't actually have much of, but I can't say why. It occurs to me that I do wear that color every workday, as it's the color of the lanyard my work badge is on. I've never wondered if *that* matched or not, lol.

PS - another quick pic of the RL with the skirt from yesterday (which is a very typical skirt length/shape for me). Yep, crazyone is right. The longer length looks better with the skirt.

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Firecracker (Sharan)

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I like both on you, but I prefer the Ralph Lauren. It may be a personal preference for the more traditional trench style. But I do also like the length.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

The RL is beautiful too. And your doggies are SOOO cute. Get the MK and assess which length works better for your outfits.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Wow, choices!!

I am awaiting the others for a final verdict.

Love your dogs. And yes, the colour of those booties is luscious!

crazyone

Veteran

funny story about the Lanyard color: I have the trench coat in sapphire blue and accidentally reached for it once instead of my lab coat (in the same color as your lanyard, natch) because the colors and lengths were so similar. Soon realized what I had done but still funny that you brought up the color similarity.

(RunsWithScissors and I work for the same company though in different locations)

Runs With Scissors

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I modeled both for my husband tonight. He strongly prefers the Via Spiga (though he does not dislike the Ralph Lauren). He likes the shorter length, and that it is more feminine and less traditional. He has a good eye for what works on me. (In fact, very early in our relationship -- 25 years ago now!!! -- he bought me clothes while that I loved *and* that fit.) I think I still prefer the RL (Firecracker, I agree the length matters), but who doesn't like to make their SO smile?

I've blocked out two hours tomorrow to do my NAS returns at my nearest Nordstrom, According to the website, they have the Michael Kors trench in stock (in black and red). So I am hoping I can try it on and bring it home if it's a contender. I wish they had the sapphire, but if I decide that's the way to go, I can at least order with the confidence I'm getting the right size.

crazyone, that's hilarious about the lab coat/trenchcoat mixup. Alas in software we don't get issued any cool garb. Or at least not anymore. The software engineer who started the year before me was issued full PPE -- hard hat, steel-toed boots, and blue coveralls with her name embroidered on them. I am jealous! My year, they wised up and had the non-field engineers stand aside while the goodies were being handed out.

I appreciate all the helpful input from everyone! And Suz and Angie, aren't dogs awesome? I can't imagine life without them now.

Runs With Scissors

Veteran

OK last update in the never ending trench saga I PROMISE.

But, there is a winner! And a twist! If you are like me and look at pics first you probably already know what it is.

As planned, I hit Nordies with my returns today, and then made my way to the coats. (And oy, how disorganized that place was ... this is why I prefer to shop online!) But I was eventually able to find the MK trench in size M in black and red, and in size S in the tan. I wasn't really considering tan, and it still looks terrible on me. So it's fortunate that the medium was a better fit.

I tried black, and it was okay, but I was not wowed. Then for the heck of it, I tried the red. And somehow it moved me in ways the black one just didn't. I am not generally a "red person" so that was a surprise! Maybe it is just the right shade of red for me?

I bought the red one and then exchanged these texts with my husband.

ME: Found that trench at Nordstroms. Tried in black but surprisingly liked red more. Bought red.
HUSBAND: hm [ He's not a "red person" either. ]
ME: < sends pic >
HUSBAND: that'll work

So, I think we have a winner! Red will not go with everysinglething in my closet, true. But sparks joy, and works with most, really. I may keep one of the black ones too, because I am lacking in the coat department yet run cold. (As a native Floridian, I was raised to ignore Winter because it will go away.)

Photos:
1. Worn open -- try-on at home this evening. Maybe I don't look as cute as the model (and my dress clashes) but I don't care!
2. The photo I sent to my husband
3. The black version.

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crazyone

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I think the red looks great on you! And goes better with your dress than the black. I'm disappointed you're not trying the sapphire blue--maybe that would make up for the lack of coveralls FWIW I haven't received coveralls either, just a lab coat.

Jeanie

Veteran

I love the RL if you keep a black one. It looks well made and very elegant on you. It has good length and the details at the top look very nice. Red is a fun color for a trench. How is the fabric on the MK? On the black it looks good but on the red it looks a little crinkled...maybe just the pic? The length in the arms looks quite long which was surprising as it looks like you are tall??

rachylou

Veteran

I really like the red on you. The black seems so morose in comparison. I feel you are the more light hearted in demeanor...

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

HAH. So the red MK trench won after all that. I LOVE IT. Red is a neutral in my world. You will not be sorry.

Runs With Scissors

Veteran

crazyone -- I thought about ordering the blue for comparison with the red ... but I am afraid I would just end up agonizing over which to keep. The red trench as spoken, and I will trust the winds of fate on this one!

Jeanie -- both the red and black MK trenches were a little wrinkled from being shoved hapazardly onto racks. I guess technically the sleeves are a little long, but I actually like the length -- keeps my arms warmer and doesn't get in my way at all. I am 5'7", so on the tall end of average rather than actually tall.

rachylou -- I had actually decided earlier this week that "lighthearted" is one of my style descriptors! So your comment is good confirmation that I"m on the right track.

Angie -- Of course you're right - an iconic color like red can act as a neutral. I think the downside of shopping online is that you tend to get exactly what you look for, and miss the opportunity to have a serendipitous discovery. This has been a great one for me!

I have trenchcoat overload and can't decide on the fate of the two black coats until I've given my brain a rest! I'll look at them again in a few days, and consider whether either truly adds anything over what the red one already offers.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Red! Red is your green! I love it on you. Gorgeous fit and color--a winner all around. You can hold on to the black ones for a little while, to decide whether to keep one of them. You might want a different style of coat in black, though a trench with a removable warm lining is so versatile, and probably as heavy a coat as you'll need for most occasions.

JAileen

Veteran

The red coat looks great on you. The added benefit is if it's rainy, you're more visible.

Amy

(website)

Veteran

Love the red coat on you! It's fun to add a wildcard to your wardrobe, isn't it?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

We ALL need a wild card or two, and I'm glad hubs is on board. ENJOY.