I feel your pain Suz.
You do look great in the brighter colors. Love them on you.
I too had many difficulties in my search. Price for me was not really as important as fit and that the coat would be warm.
The Quartz coat is a very nice parka and will no doubt keep you very warm.

I think for myself I got really lucky with my coat and have yet to post a picture of me wearing the coat/jacket.

I showed Mr Rubygirl your pictures and he asked me if you had tried Eddie Bauer yet? They have the Lodge parka, I do not know if there is lighter colours or not.
He wants me to start looking for a nice wool coat or a wool cardigan. I do have an Ice breaker crave hoodie in jet heather and love it and it got lots of wear last winter.

Hi, Rubygirl!

I tried the Lodge parka last year -- actually my daughter was ordering it for herself. But alas, it didn't work on either of us. I often have trouble with Eddie Bauer -- I am sized out most of the time, or it is sized wrong for me, or something. And that was the case here. I love some of their colour options but the fit doesn't work right.

Ah well. Something will turn up.

And show us yours!!