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Not this again... (edit)

rae

(website)

Veteran

Edit: It has been an emotional week... I miss my dad even more after visiting him, and the Boston thing really slammed my nerves. Do you think this may be what is causing my need to Prepare and Not Miss Out? Is this preventing me from imagining something even better coming along?

So... I think I have to accept that for me, SYC includes "trade-ins." As long as I can fund a purchase by reselling old stuff, I can't seem to bother myself to care. I'll try to save you all the irritation of announcing anymore stone-cold shopping bans...

Anyway, the point of all this is that I couldn't shake the feeling that I made a mistake passing up the North Face waterproof gear trench way back when. A wicking, long, hooded, fully waterproof deal seems so dang hard to find. It was mostly the beige color that got nay votes here, so I ordered the black in XS and S. Just to make sure.

If I keep this, I'd sell a wool coat since this is can be worn for warmth and water protection both. I would NOT get rid of my shiny brown trench. That baby is a solid 3 (sometimes 4) season jacket that is light enough to take anywhere. This trench is more for maintaining my vibe for winter and extremes - serious rain, travel to serious rain, boating/whale watching/gearstuff.

1-6: XS
7-12: S

Questions:

Am I insane? Do I need a trenchervention? Am I wrong to think that a classically styled gear coat is that rare?
If I keep, I'm leaning toward size small. Would this size still look ok if I lost 5-10 lbs? I can layer a sweater and a thick fleece underneath as-is.

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35 replies

Latest reply was from rae

Anonymous

Rae, you don't feel like you have the trench of your dreams yet or you wouldn't be looking. If this is it, keep. It looks amazing on you and I can see it being a classic piece as well as futuristic or urban or whatever you want it to be.

rae

(website)

Veteran

I don't feel like the brown one is lacking... more like one coat can't cover all seasons. Does that make sense, or am I rationalizing?

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I don't think it is rationalising - I think this is different from your brown one.
Would you wear your wool coat anywhere you wouldn't wear this or the brown trench?

Jules

Veteran

You know, even before you added your edit, I was wondering if there was a particular need or rush to add this trench right now. It is a great coat that looks great on you, and I totally see the value of combining super practical gear and classic trench coat - especially for someone who is only going to own a few coats.

jenanded

Veteran

the xs fits a little better so long as you have enough layers underneath but s still looks great.
how much extreme whale watching do you need to do is the other question...

kkards

Veteran

i am so the wrong person to answer this, because i believe you can never have to many coats.
i love this trench, to have a coat that is functional and fashionable, there is no question, its a keep.
i prefer the XS, especially if you really think you will be losing 5-10 pounds, but is really a personal call.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

I think this coat looks fantastic on you in either size. Re keep or return: which coat is more practical for your wardrobe needs, this or the one you would sell in place of it? I love to make lists, you could make a list for this.
As for fit, I like my coats to be slightly roomy. Put on the heaviest sweater you might wear under it, and see how the shoulders fit. For me anyway, the key to a well fitting coat is in the shoulders, not the width of the coat. I once bought a beautiful coat that fit perfectly in the smaller size, only to get it home and realize - too late of course - that the shoulders were too tight. Since I normally don't stand still in my coats, that one spent most of its life in the closet

Rambling Ann

(website)

Veteran

Waterproof - I can't fathom buying a coat that isn't, and yet most of the trenches I see are suspect. North Face knows quality gear, trustworthy for years on that stuff, but it seems they've figured out how to transfer that expertise into a fashion niche waiting to be filled for women who actually do stuff in their clothes, like get wet. I say keep.

And keep the woolie if you can. You never know when you'll have a chance to travel in winter to someplace where you'll need it. My thrifted wool coat is the one thing I regret donating, even though I have a perfectly fine dress coat. Something about that wool cuts the wind. Can you hang onto it until fall at least?

Peri

Veteran

Your edit could definitely be the reason, needing a sense of control.

But who said there's anything wrong with planning and being prepared? If you do any of those activities you mentioned, the coat sounds very useful. It would only indicate a problem if you lived in Arizona and never went anyplace else.

Beth Ann

Veteran

I've done my share of sweating in coats that don't wick away moisture. Some of these coats you can't even wear in and out of stores while shopping without this problem! I've also been damp all day in coats that are waterproof --- even without whaling .... I mean whale watching.

A black trench is a classic and this one has good looks as well as good gear properties. It's also more classic cool than trendy, which means it will have good closet longevity, and SoCal is a natural environment for mid-weight coats.

If it won't make things tight for you, or cause you to miss out on something more important, I say go for it. I'm trying to make room for layering in my coats, so I'd go for the small, unless the roominess bothers you.

carolbee

Veteran

I have no expertise in advising re the whys and wherefores etc but that coat looks perfect on you.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I vote get the black coat. It's a goodie! I prefer the size S but it will NOT fit that way after a 10 pound weight loss. This should not be a concern.

Diana

Veteran

Well, I think it looks great and sounds like it hits all your important points re: breathability, waterproof, hood, etc.

As for whether or not you need it... well, that is a tough one. I do think you do your fair share of gear-requiring outdoor activities. I guess the question is: what jacket are you wearing for those things now and would this one be a) substantially different, or b) an upgrade? Also, is your brown coat waterproof? (I don't remember.) I think a real waterproof raincoat is always a good thing to have - I am actually trying to decide myself whether I should get a truly waterproof coat since my "rain trench" is not really doing the job.

Peri

Veteran

PS...why are you considering a 5-10 pound weight loss? That's the part that doesn't sound quite healthy. You look great and healthy as you are right now.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Get it.

I love it on you.

And now I want one, too!! How crazy is that? I already have two black trenches and I look nowhere near as good as you do in black!!

Seriously - a waterproof trench that looks this good is a godsend.

Hugs, too.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

First of all, why would you want to lose 10 pounds? That is way too much for someone your size! You look amazing, you have a great figure. All of your clothes fit. I'm not sure where this is coming from Rae.

Second, I vote keep the coat. I think trenches are indispensable in CA. Regarding size, it is hard to tell because the coat is black. I prefer the sleeve length of the size XS but like the idea of the S allowing for more room with chunky layers. I think Karie makes some excellent points. Try the S on with some bigger layers.

If you later want to sell the coat, I think it would be easier to sell the size S. From my eBay listings, my Ms sell quickest, then S's, and finally XS's.

rachylou

Veteran

No, this coat is a really good idea. It's slick and it's not just for show.

They look the same to me, frankly, the two sizes.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Thanks very much for the thoughtful replies! I am not so much looking to lose weight as I think I will now that I am more committed to working out and being strong. My active weight is something like 5-10 lbs less. I lose mostly from the legs and waist... The small might still be ok after that because the shoulders would be the same. I can layer a thick fleece under the S without issue. The fleece still fits under the xs, but then the bust button is tight. As for what can be worn more, I think the trench wins. The gray wool coat is more in your face and doesn't provide the rain protection. I am thinking the trench can be dressed up or down and also used as fashion or gear.

rebekahphoto

Veteran

Rae I think the S looks great on you! I vote yes keep. I have been thinking about his very coat since you posted it! in the last 2 months I have purchased and returned 7 different trenches/coasts looking for the perfect one. It is a challenge

I feel it is fine to have a couple different trenches. I also think you are correct thinking that it is hard to find a waterproof trench that is classic! You would think the manufactures would figure it out. I feel they are getting better, but many of the tech styles still look a little gear. That north face is the best Ive seen.

ironkurtin

Veteran

I think you're overthinking. Everyone needs a black trench.

Carla

Veteran

Rae, this is a most excellent trench. If you don't already have a black trench, keep this one ( either size).

I have two trenches, and I wear the black one all the time. It is also my happy coat, since it is my go to coat for travel/ vacations so there are positive associations.

DH has a thing about jackets, and I tease him that he has one for every 5 deg. Celsius change in the weather! I bet most people have a signature garment, and collect (numerous) versions of that garment. I, personally, confess to a stripped Mariner T fixation.
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BTW, I'm dedicating all my workouts this month to the survivors of the Boston bombings and it is bringing a certain fierceness and intensity to my training, as well as helping me exorcise my feelings around what happened.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

OMGoodness, I think this is the trench I considered several months ago, decided no more black, then decided to look again, and my size was gone. I didn't think of trying to order it. Did it come in cream as well? The one I was looking at did. Anyway, I love it. And I want it. . If you wouldn't mind posting a link, could you? And now I can't remember what size I needed...

Back to you. Go for it, looks great, super practical, stylish. I'd pick the size you can fit a jacket under.

Mander

(website)

Veteran

I love it, myself. It is oddly difficult to find a light coat/jacket that is gear-worthy, in the sense that it can actually withstand the weather conditions I might want to wear it in, without having that overtly sporty look.

If it were me I'd keep the slightly larger size for comfort's sake -- it it is already snug while wearing a fleece underneath, then IMHO it is too small, and in my experience it is never a good idea to buy something thinking that you will lose a bit of weight in order to fit into it. Especially not something that is an investment, or that you want to be versatile.

Freckles

Veteran

Rae this coat looks stunning on you and I think could be worn for a variety of functions. I prefer the XS a bit but it seems the small wins hands down due to the button problem on the XS.

Sorry about your family problems, hope things right themselves soon.

catgirl

Veteran

This is a fantastic jacket on you, Rae.

As an aside, I tend to buy (even more) coats and boots when I am feeling the need for protection, not just physically but emotionally. Just a thought that occurred to me, that you may disregard if you choose.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Rebekah, amen! I would have thought it'd be a given for a garment traditionally meant for rain. Hm, maybe I should start manufacturing waterproof trench coats, lol.

Carla, I have a jacket collection, too, hehe. Jackets and boots just get me every time... and I think a trench is sort of like a long jacket because of the lighter weight. Hmmm...

Elizabeth, I think that is the same one! It is the North Face Allena. You can also find my initial review here.

Una, I think you are spot-on. You touch on my edit about wanting to Be Prepared. Like I'm fine tuning my suit of armor.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Oops, double post.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Una is very perceptive! And you look great in trenches, esp. this one, so I don't fault you for wanting a trench collection.

Get the black trench in size S. You'll get plenty of use out of it. And the black looks much better on you than the beige. (Same with me due to our complexions). My black KS trench is my favorite most-used coat, and I have a whole arsenal of coats/jackets.

rosee

Veteran

Hope things get better soon.

RE: the trench - it looks great and I do believe you will get better use from the S as opposed to the XS, especially if layering is needed. As mentioned, check the shoulder fit with a heavier garment underneath. You don't want it too tight or you will not wear it. I have some too small trenches just sitting in my hall closet, waiting to be sold.

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