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shiny - new coat purchases for your critique

shiny

Veteran

My two coats from the Bloomie's online sale arrived. Very fast, I might add!

I got both these coats at major steal prices, using coupons and discounts. But, I'm not sure they are keepers. I would love honest critique. Despite the low cost, if they aren't perfect I will return and keep looking.

First coat: Ponte Knit trench. It's not a waterproof trench. Advantages: it's a very nice & cozy fabric that is perfect weight for fall or spring. It would pack well for trips.

However, my immediate reaction was that it is a size too large (it is a 4p - I followed the ordering guidelines on the site). I think it makes my breasts look terribly saggy - I am a B nearly C and I'm not filling it out - if I had Nicole's chest, I'm guessing this would look absolutely fab, but I don't!!!!

Several view so you can give an accurate critique - DH thought it fit fine - he really likes it and thought I was being too picky - so he made me do all sorts of poses:

(here he said "of course it looks funny if you stand like a scarecrow")
http://s386.photobucket.com/al.....ylf007.jpg

http://s386.photobucket.com/al.....ylf008.jpg

(Here he said "come on - strike a pose!")
http://s386.photobucket.com/al.....ylf009.jpg

(here he told me "act like you are hailing a cab")
http://s386.photobucket.com/al.....ylf010.jpg

Second coat for your review: Down puffer coat with removable fox fur collar, color is called bone, so not really cream.

Advantages: Super, super warm. YEAH for that!! And I got it for rock-bottom price. This is last years' offering, a coat I had my eye on all year long.

Disadvantages: again, is it too big? It is a small petite. It was the very last one available - there is no xs available, unless I go with this years' model, which is a lot more expensive. This years version has a brown fox fur color instead of white, and is hooded.

Again, several poses for your review:

http://s386.photobucket.com/al.....ylf011.jpg

http://s386.photobucket.com/al.....ylf012.jpg

http://s386.photobucket.com/al.....ylf013.jpg

http://s386.photobucket.com/al.....ylf014.jpg

http://s386.photobucket.com/al.....ylf015.jpg

I suppose the fit is okay - and it would enable me to wear bulkier items underneath. Is the length wrong? I suppose the length would work better with high heels, but as a practical matter, if it's that cold out, there will likely be ice on the ground, so I would NOT be wearing heels.

Your thoughts? CRS would be great.

General

22 replies

Latest reply was from shiny

Tanya

Veteran

Shiny, I really like both coats and think that they fit great, I do not think they are too big at all ! I'd give them both 9.5. And you look gorgeous in cream!

Becky

Veteran

Shiny, this discussion is of particular interest to me since I am also coat shopping.

1st coat: I love the styling and the crisp color. I do think it is too large; it looks too wide across the shoulder line. Can you exchange for a size down?

2nd coat: I don't *think* this one is too large, though it's harder to tell with the puffer coat. I think the length is just right for a petite, but since I'm still figuring the whole coat length thing out myself, weigh my opinion with caution!

shiny

Veteran

Thanks Tanya! I admit I'm still skeptical about the practicality of cream coats, but I'm giving it a go anyway.

Becky - I might be able to exchange #1 for a 2p - just checked the site and they do still have that size. Hopefully they'll apply the same discount they did for their weekend sale! If so, I am leaning towards exchanging. It just feels too big to me.

Here is the coat Becky, if you are interested - it is online exclusive and it's Bloomie's store brand, sutton studios:

http://www1.bloomingdales.com/.....24*-1*-1*8

The 2nd coat - you're right, it is hard to tell with a puffer! I have two other puffer-ish coats (black and red) that I think fit better, but alas they aren't down so they aren't as warm. If I get a chance I'll pull them out and have DH take a photo, so YLF can compare.

Becky, if you can wear a petite small (I seem to recall you are close to my size so a petite XS may be better for you too), they have one small left in eggpllant (again I paid less than this because there was a sale this weekend PLUS I used my bloomie's card for major discount):

http://www1.bloomingdales.com/.....24*-1*-1*6

This is the newer version - not on sale, but is offered in petite XS:

http://www1.bloomingdales.com/.....4*-1*-1*14

julijuli

Shiny - you do look great in cream. I understand your skepticism about the practicality of it - I'm still withholding judgement on my cream trench as well. The good news is your kids are older so you don't have to worry about spills etc.

I love #1 and I don't think it looks too big. It looks very sophisticated on you - nice. But, it's always a little hard to tell with pictures.

On #2, I think it looks really good, but the only thing I'm not sure about is that from the back photo it looks like it might be a tiny bit too large, but again that could just be the photo.

Great options for you!

Amanda

First of all, you look great in cream! I really like the trench. It does look like the shoulders might be too big but overall it looks like it fits well. I don't really know how to judge the fit of a puffer jacket. It does seem like it should be a bit big so that you can wear heavier clothes underneath it (it will be winter after all). I do think that it looks good on you and that the length works. I really like the faux fur collar.

Becky

Veteran

Thanks for the links, Shiny. I actually tried a puffer coat in the past, but we don't have enough *really* cold winter days here to make it worth having one in my closet. Our cold is a dry cold, too, which makes a difference. I may try the trench, though, if the one I have on order doesn't work out.

Patience

Veteran

Shiny, I really like the first coat, but I think you should try a smaller size if possible before you make a final decision. (9)
I like the puffer coat but I feel like it just engulfs you. I don't know if this is a size issue or just the style of the coat. Let me add that I am definitely not a puffer coat expert by any means.

Anonymous

Hi Shiny. You look great in cream. Both of the coats are good choices to be in the color cream because they are of fabric that can be cleaned easier than say wool.

I think the first one looks big in the shoulders and there is extra fabric at the waist bunching up under the belt. I hope you can get it in a smaller size because it is so beautiful and functional.

The second one swallows you up. The coat you showed for this year has stitching at the waist to give it definition which might look better. Also just getting a smaller size in the version you have may make the difference. The fur looks gorgeous around your face but it is real fox fur and I would prefer faux fur.

Munequita

The first coat is a tiny bit big. I can see it in the fit of the shoulders especially, so I think 2P will work better for you. It is a great color for you otherwise!

The second coat is definitely too much coat for petite you, and there is no waist definition which is something that makes these puffer coats look better. I would try something else.

Antje

Veteran

Hmm, this is a tricky one. I love the style of the first coat, but it does look just a tad big. However, I also have to say that I might not have considered it too big if you hadn't specifically asked about it. E.g., I get your concern about the chest area (not that it makes your breasts look saggy, but that it does look a tad big in that area), but I really don't think I would have even noticed this if you hadn't mentioned it. I guess what I'm saying is that it's "pretty good" but if you want "perfect" then I think it ain't.
Now the next one is not really any easier. I personally am not a puffer fan; I think they look bulky on everyone, period. However, I can be opinionated and smug about it because I live in a climate where it just doesn't get that cold, and so I don't have a need for that kind of warmth and coverage. I totally get how they can be a super item to have in Boston and other cold winter climates. So, considering that, I actually think the puffer fits you very well, or as well as it could ever fit a petite person.
Somehow I'm not sure this was very helpful feedback, sorry

shana

Veteran

You look great in cream! I agree with the others - the first coat seems a big big. Especially since you said it would be for spring & fall, it's not as if you would be wearing bulky items underneath it so a more streamlined look would be better. I find that puffer coats are tricky - especially when you are petite! I have one that probably looks awful on me but hey it keeps me warm! I like the color on you and I think without a waist tie, it might be hard to get much better waist definition, even if you were to go down a size. The real issue that I see is the proportions of the collar - it just seems to big to frame your face properly. How does it look with the collar removed?

marianne

I like the first coat a lot, but the fit looks a little funny to me - it might be too big in the shoulders? It's worth investigating the smaller size option.

I think the puffer coat is absolutely great! I personally like hoods on puffers for the sake of warmth, so I would consider the hooded version, but I'm just throwing it out as a thought. It doesn't look bulky to me at all.

Anonymous

I'd try the first coat in a smaller size. If you don't feel fab wearing it, then it should go back because you'll always be reaching for something else instead.

The puffer coat looks so warm and cozy. It looks like it fits fine for a puffer and you'll be glad to have it on those frigid days. You look adorable in it.

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

The first is my favorite; I like the fitted look on you, and the color is fabulous. I don't see where it looks too big on you, either.

The second is hard because puffers are hard, but even though it is oversized on purpose, it feels like the collar just swallows you up!

Cream is a great color for you. I had a white puffer last season, and it stayed remarkably clean. Only the cuffs at my wrists got a little dingy over the season, and one trip to the dry cleaner fixed that. (The tag said it was okay to wash it and then put it in the dryer with a tennis ball to boost up the puffiness again, but I thought it came out too lumpy. The dry cleaner was a better investment.)

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Shiny, did you get to try that BR wool belted coat yesterday? If it was fab, maybe you could get that one in cream instead of option #1 that you posted here?

shiny

Veteran

Yeah, I really think the fit of the trench is off. Or maybe it's the buttons are too far apart? I'm not sure what it is, but trust me, it does look like I should have more of a bust to fill it out on top. And then when I do that scarecrow pose - well, it's bugging me how it fits under the arms!

I will probably call and ask to exchange for a 2p... wonder if customer service is open yet?

As for the puffer, I'm on the fence. Need to think that one through. I do kinda like the fur collar, vs the hood, esp since the hood has brown fur. Although a hood would indeed be practical. And either way, I suspect going down a size will give me a better length. The length is bugging me more than the bulkiness - it looks a tad long for some reason.

I definetly DO want a "stylish" puffer - as stylish as puffers can be. One that has down in it. It gets really cold here. I do have what I consider a stylish puffer and it does not overwhelm me at all - unfortunately, it has acrylic filling, not down, so it just doesn't cut it on really cold days. ;-(

shiny

Veteran

Laura - I did not get to try it. Never got out to the store (work is unbelievable right now) but also this trench is online-only. Sigh.

No matter what happens, it was worth the experiment. Bloomie's offers quite a lot of "online only" petite items in their store brand, Sutton Studios. I've always wanted to give it a whirl and see how that brand fits in petites. So now at least I know: 2p (despite what the online charts say).

shiny

Veteran

I just called and ordered the 2p trench as an exchange. Still need to make my mind up about the puffer, but I'll do that over the weekend!

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Even though it costs more, maybe it's worth it to order this year's puffer style in cream, just for kicks? I'd be curious to see if the fit is any different with that stitching detail around the waist.

My black puffer has a fake fur-trimmed hood, and I really like and use that feature, especially if I'm trying to avoid hat head. Just a thought.

shiny

Veteran

The difference in cost is quite substantial: I got this puffer for only $60 (after all the discounts, and not counting shipping). The other one is $230-250 or something like that...

Sigh. This is the problem with petites. Bloomies *does* offer petite stuff, but the vast majority is online, not in the store. So I end up paying shipping...

Kyle

Veteran

Shiny: I am late, but here's my read on the coats.

1. The fit of the trench bothers me under the arms and above the bustline. The cut seems off for you.

2. I am a little torn on the puffer. My very first gut reaction is that the coat overpowers you and swallows you up. Then as I studied it I started to hone in on the length and agree it is a tad too long. As I got used to petite you in the coat, it grew on me. I love the coat itself -- the style is fab, and I think you look pretty in just about everything. Also, I HATE being cold. So I am willing to make at least some sacrifice in style if it means the difference between being toasty and freezing.

shiny

Veteran

Aw, thanks Kyle! Yes, it is toasty as can be. Like wearing a slumber bag, hee hee!

I am still hoping to get DH to take a few shots of my other puffers, so you can all judge the difference.

I'm still torn since the price was so cheap - I *may* hold on to this coat anyway. At very least, it is as warm as my ugly-but-extremely practical, down Eddie Bauer coat. I could toss that and keep this one instead .... though I'm just not seeing myself shoveling snow with a fox collar... but heck... I hate snow shoveling anyway.