On the subject of fall/winter coats....

Here's an album with a sampling of various fall/winter coats I have collected over the years. I have more than this - but these were handy to put into an album because I didn't have to take a special photo shoot - already had the photos:

http://s386.photobucket.com/al.....r%20coats/

password is ylf2008

I kinda go crazy with coats, and *may* own too many.... Partly because it's so cold in Boston - I'm always on the lookout for a super-warm coat to get me through the coldest days of winter.

Let me know your thoughts:

1) For each - Keep/toss?

2) If I was to add just ONE (or maybe two) new coat this year, what do you think I should be seeking?

About the coats in the album:

1) The camel coat:

This is one I have long been thinking about upgrading. I don't wear this one that often, but camel coats just seem so classic. The quality of this one isn't that great - it's fun - but it could be warmer. Last year, I kept my eye on cashmere camel coats in petites. They are sooo pricey.

2) Elie Tahari puffer:

I know this isn't the greatest photo to judge, but it's absolutely adorable, and fits well (trust me). Just the right length and scale for me, even if it wasn't a petite. I can even wear a jacket underneath it, which is a plus. And I LOVE the big collar - I don't need a scarf.

Unfortunately, it is not as warm as I thought it would be. It works well for temps around 40 degrees. Hit freezing mark...and I freeze in it! It is not down-filled - some acrylic or something. And, it's black.

3) BR plaid coat:

Again, this is mostly a fall-weight coat. It is fun. But I wore it in Toronto (for example) and froze my butt off in it. (Yes this was taken in 2005 when I was still a nasty smoker - cigs are NEVER stylish!)

4) Jcrew 3/4 length coat:

Two views. Hopefully you can get an idea. This is regular, not petite. I had tons of fun with this coat last fall, and wore it a lot. And this is one of the reasons I just invested in 3/4 length leather gloves - if I'd had them, I could've extended the wear on this coat a little longer. However, it's still not a winter-weight coat.

5) Tapestry coat:

This one is very light weight - definetly fall only. Even then, it needs a warm sweater underneath. I think it's a keeper even if I don't wear it all that often - it's more of a statement piece. What do you think?

5) BR black long wool coat:

I don't remember when I bought this. Years ago. It was before BR offered petites, so it is regular, not petite. It is super-duper warm coat, made out of very heavy wool. The cost-per-wear on this coat is down to pennies. It has long been my "go-to" coat in the deepest darkest most frigid Boston winter days, when a practical Eddie Bauer puffer coat won't do.

Drawbacks: it's so heavy. Cashmere would be lighter. It's black, and Angie says black is boring. Fit - it's a regular, maybe the fit could be better?

17 years ago

Tanya

Veteran

Hi Shiny, you have a great collection of coats! I like them all, they seem to fit you well, and colors&cuts are fun! I might shorten the last black coat a bit, it seems a tad too long, but otherwise you are in great shape.

If you were to add two, this is what I would do ( I know that you dislike trenches):

1) A super warm knee length down parka, in a stylish fitted shape and nice color of course. It looks to me that you warmest one is the black wool one, but it's a bit heavy as you say. I got a mid-thigh length down parka last season, and I was still cold when the temperatures really dropped - so I will be looking for something like this too.

2) A fitted wool 3/4 coat that's a bit of a statement: a bold color, or cream, or some standout pattern. I like Soia&Kyo ( or Mackage) coats for this. You know, something that transforms a nice outfit of dark jeans and white shirt into a killer outfit - kind of a coat equivalent of your fabulous b&w Paris jacket.

Ooh, and I think Nicole&you have inspired me to do a similar exercise with my coats this weekend.

Nicole

Hi Shiny...with the exception of the last long wool black coat--I think all the coats fit you very well. The last one looks a little overwhelming on you.

I do notice that the Tahari puffer is your only nylon parka in the bunch...and since it's not that warm, I'd suggest a warm nylon parka. I couldn't imagine living in New England without one.

I actually really like your camel coat and wouldn't have thought it was inexpensive if you hadn't said so.

The rest of your coats are fun and stylish--but none of them look like they will keep you warm when the temps drop below 40. Winter is such a long season for us, I think it makes sense for us to own so many coats.

Personally, I'm so sick of looking at and trying on coats. I saw the black and white sweater coat when I was in Macy's today. It's horrible....and I already ordered it. The fabric is very thin, it has a gawdawful empire seam right across my boobs and it makes me look 16 months pregnant with triplets! That is definitely going back. I'll probably return the red trench too, since I feel it's too big....so that just leave the white CK pintucked shirt...ten bucks says that has to go back too!

shiny

Nicole, I do have a few more parkas - just didn't have any handy photos of them (usually I'm the one behind the camera when we go anywhere).

1) A brown abercrombie & fitch parka - hits about crotch point - sleeves are wayyyy too long and I could have them shortened but frankly it's nice to have my hands covered. It's very form-fitting - and has a huge hood lined with fake fur but let me tell you... it keeps me WARM!!! Except for my legs.

But yeah, I felt like a fool shopping in that store at age 43!! That's a store for teenagers, not middle-aged women. I snuck in during early hours when few customers were around, on the idea that a junior cut might fit me better.

2) A true red 3/4 length Ann Taylor puffer (petite) that is very cute and a little warmer than the Tahari but not much warmer.

3) An ugly green Eddie Bauer 3/4 length parka from years and years ago... it's hideous but infinetly practical for snow shoveling. Or if civilization as we know it collapses, and we have no power to heat the house.

4) A black Ralph Lauren hooded parka which isn't so bad and is warm... it was my "upgrade" on the Eddie Bauer one.

What I really REALLY want is a LONG, stadium length parka that is filled with down but doesn't make me look like the michelin man. Unfortunately, you never see this in petites - and if it isn't petite, forget it. It'll be too long.

I did see a North Face parka that came *this* close to my HOLY GRAIL.... but I just couldn't get past the logo on the front AND the back... I hate logos... and a white logo on a black parka.... well.... let's just say, we saw this parka everywhere this past winter.... and my DH agreed that the logo on the back looked like bird poop from a distance.....

So it sounds like you've got the parkas down then.

I'll keep my eyes peeled for petite full length puffer jackets for you.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Great! I’m with the gals. They all look good apart from the length of the last black style. Will you consider having it shortened?

I'll consider it but even if it's too long, well... it's warm that way! And works with longer dresses and skirts....

We'll see...

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