No luck with Halogen boiled wool coat

I was really excited about the Halogen boiled wool coat and ended up ordering the M in gray and the L in purple because I wasn't sure what size would work and also was thinking that, if it was lighter, I could justify the purple, but if it was heavy enough to replace my worn-out main winter coat, it should probably be more neutral. I've been out of town for a while and only was able to try them on today. Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure I'm going to return both.

The M isn't even worth showing, and the style is basic enough that the gray just seemed blah anyway. The L isn't awful, and the color is stunning, but it's not doing much for me. The way it closes with only one snap at the point where the collar folds over feels really flimsy, and it just looks like it's pulling on me. Maybe it's supposed to look like that, but why have a coat where the first impression is that the fabric's straining? Also, it's too long in the torso, which isn't hugely surprising. And it seems to look best when the collar's folded over a little more, like in pic 1, and I think I'd last about 5 minutes like that before getting chilly and pulling the collar up to cover more.

Well, it was worth a try, right? Although, if these were at the Nordstrom near me, I probably could've rejected them right away with a lot less hassle.

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Nordstrom

Halogen Boiled Wool Shawl Collar Coat

$198.00 $98.98

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10 years ago

Windchime

Veteran

You're right that the color is stunning on you. I think it's good that you tried it; it's a beautiful coat but not the right one for you. I would have the same problem with the neckline-- it's way too cold here in winter for my coat's neckline to gape open. At the very least, I 'd need to wear a scarf.

On to the next coat candidate!

DonnaF

That snap is pulling on the model, too. I think that huge collar is pretty hard for most women to wear. Next!

Deborah

I think it's great you tried it, and you know the colour is just divine on you. Onwards and upwards, there will be something better out there for you.

Anonymous

Thanks, everyone! Definitely on to the next thing!

And, Donna, I hadn't even noticed it was pulling on the model, but you're right! More evidence that it's the coat, not me.

Peri

I'm sorry it didn't work for you. I'm keeping mine...for now...but you will find something that suits you perfectly!

Kristin L

That color looks great on you. But you're right, the coat doesn't get you. On to the next one.

Thanks, K! Peri, glad it worked for you! If it looked the same on me as on you, I'd totally have kept it.

Thistle

Love the color, but the fit is off. I would return it.

Might try Lands End. I have seen that color there, and I can attest to them making warm, high quality coats. I own a couple. And they are one of the few places with coats warm enough for my climate.

It's still pretty early in the coat season, so you might want to keep checking back. They tend to really start stocking in late August and into September.

Thistle, Lands End is a good idea! I actually have a puffer from there in a similar shade and really like it. Or like it as much as I'm capable of liking something meant for very cold weather. And it's nice that they have lots of petite options too.

I think I'll definitely hold off a little on doing an intense search, both for more selection and because I don't really want to think about winter yet.

Janet

(website)

Such a gorgeous color on you! I do think the style is problematic for anyone -- it's just not a very secure closure design. Such a shame, but now you know. Now to find you another, better coat in that beautiful color.

Gigi

I wouldn't be able to handle the large open neckline either. I'd be frozen in about five seconds!

I know what you mean about having to go through such a hassle when the local store doesn't carry what you want. Even if they don't have your size, you can get an idea of the weight of the fabric and the color, which is sometimes enough info to immediately scratch the item off your list—or to happily order it. At least it was clear that none of these worked—I prefer that to receiving something that I'm on the fence about.

All you can do is keep trying!

catgirl

A lot of EF outerwear items are designed like this - architecturally lovely but not functional for true weather. The color is beautiful on you though!

Awww: that's a shame Aubergine. (And I'm with you on the online order/return hassle.)

unfrumped

You are right to move on. Great to target that color, though.
I think that collar is hard to pull off--on me it would take up all my shoulder real estate pronto. And while I wear winter scarves, the stance is low, as you note, for warmth. And it kind of overlaps off-center, also hard to pull off IRL.
You'll find something better!

Vicki

I love a good boiled-wool coat and this color is beautiful on you. I'm so sorry these didn't work for you, and, I empathize as I had to return two items yesterday, too. On to what works!

Such a shame because you look great in that luscious colour. Oh well, next!

It is a gorgeous coat, but I agree that it looks funny when closed. You made the right decision to return it.

Laurinda

Beautiful color, but on both you and the model it looks like the coat is wearing the person! Next.

Thanks for the sympathy and the confirmation of my instincts, everyone!

It's nice to hear that I'm not the only one who doesn't get coats with necklines that leave your chest exposed. This actually turned out to be a mid-weight coat, more like something I'd wear in late fall and early spring (which I also kind of need) than a true winter coat, so I guess the low neckline is a little less silly. But still.

In terms of colors, part of me totally wants a true winter coat in this kind of purple. But the other part feels like black or charcoal like the coat it would be replacing might make more sense, since my other two winter coats are an eggplant puffer and a cranberry wool coat. We'll see whether the sensible side or the "ooooh, purple" side eventually wins. For a transitional coat, I'd be less concerned about being sensible, so I definitely want to bring on the purple. Or maybe teal or some other fun color. At any rate, will probably wait to look more seriously until it feels less like the middle of summer.

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