Striped coat: Statement or tiresome? - YouLookFab Forum

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Striped coat: Statement or tiresome?

unfrumped

Veteran

I tried this on and loved the range of "colors" in the stripes. At first I thought it was too much for my frame but in some photos ( will try to post later) it seemed fine and had a nice play of light.

Usually I would go for very plain or neutral outerwear, but am drawn to this. What's your experience with more striking or novelty items-- fab-fun, or do you get bored or tired of the effect? Or it is what it is- a fun coat but not a longevity item.

Ombre Plaid Coat

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Latest reply was from unfrumped

Beth Ann

Veteran

I saw this in the store, UF, and my eye was drawn to it immediately -- even though I have an unofficial ban on any more grey in my closet! I think everyone has room for one statement coat in their wardrobe -- unless they're in Hawaii! One way to do it is with bold color, and uber-modern silhouette. This one has a marvelous long fiber and a bold, but sort of blurred stripe. I love it, and I could see it with the clothes in your wardrobe.

Question -- Did you see it in the store? I vaguely remember (and my memory could be affected by too much Sugarplum Ring) that the fabric seemed a bit scratchy.

unfrumped

Veteran

Hi Beth Ann. I liked the fabric and thought big light but warm. It is unlined but the inner finish is smooth. The collar style is good for me, but my main concern was whether the it was just too bold for my frame. The size in store was roomy enough to go over a jacket and I think the correct size to be able to wear over my roomier sweaters, , though would have liked to try a size
down to see if was more fitted in a good way, or loses the layering comfort.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I like the looks of it! I think it would be a fun change from more sedate coats. It reminds me a bit of my ombre plaid coat in black, gray, and taupe on ivory. I loved it and wore it every chance I got that first season. The next year or two I wore it less, and this year, I'm back to wearing it fairly often again. To me, it has definitely been worth the amount I paid for it, which was a modest price for a nicely made coat.

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Jules

Veteran

In my experience, I get tired of statement coats and boots (basically, outerwear things that get worn frequently and by necessity) within a couple of years if I wear them say 50% of the time. I have not been happy at all wearing any strong statement piece daily. I'm not really interested in having more than 2 coats per quarterly season so my idea of a statement would be a bright colour (with the other, essential, coat being more neutral). This particular coat looks beautiful and I see the temptation but for me it would probably have to be a third coat to rotate in. At that point would I be wearing it often enough to justify if I only liked it for 2 years? For me, probably not. Your math may be entirely different of course, based on your budget, closet space, statement tolerance level... I choose my statements in the form of hats, scarves etc because statement coat math does not add up for me

kkards

Veteran

i like the idea of a statement coat. i think because the colors are neutral that this would work well with your wardrobe. but i do think that this might not be the coat you are reaching for 4 years from now. or it might be the backup coat in 4 years…..which is how i would view it.

unfrumped

Veteran

Thanks for the thoughtful analyses. At present it has not come home with me despite the big sale discount. In general , a " happy color" solid ( including uncommon neutrals) would be more my speed ( still having lots of fun with my raspberry trench coat). The sale creates both the goggle effect but also would be how I'd likely dabble in novelty items .

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Totally depends on your style and preferences. I like it and would happily work it into rotation. But I'm the type who thinks her bright red coat is a "neutral" and an "essential." Seriously! Without a red coat in my closet I feel lost. Apparently, opposite to Jules, I have a very high tolerance for statement outerwear!

I once had an inexpensive faux shearling plaid winter jacket. Lightweight, easy to wear in the car (at a time in my life when I was commuting by car). And fun without being crazy. (Like this ocat, it was in neutrals.)

Oh, I loved that jacket. I wore it to death the first year, and wore it a lot the second year. Then I was done with it. But at the price point, it still earned its closet real estate.

Thistle

Veteran

What Suz said!

I have never tried a bold statement coat because I know I would wear it a year and be done with it. But, my main winter puffer is bright red. I don't consider that bold, but a needed dose of color in our loooong winters. And, if I fall in the snow, I will be easy to spot!

gryffin

Veteran

Personally love it. Was not sure how the neckline would look on so did not order it. I do think it ups the ante on outerwear. You know yourself, if you love it and looked great on, I would say go for it. Can't be the mothership for coat quality and price point in the past couple of years!

Meredith

Veteran

I think you've already read plenty of good thoughts both for and against the coat. I will simply add that I have an AT jacket with long fibers and it has not held up well over the years. The fibers have lost their soft loft and are kind of matted. My husband has taken to calling it my Yeti coat

Meredith

Veteran

For some reason I cant add the last sentence to my comment, so commenting again to say that I am hard on my clothes and my experience with the fabric may not be typical, but it's something to be aware of if you want the coat to last a few seasons.

unfrumped

Veteran

Meredith, love the Yeti reference! It is clearly a novelty fabric-- something to think about. And I do love " luxury" coat fabrics if I could find style, color. So is worth saving up for.
Lifestyle may end up being relevant, as usual. I'm not typically out and about all week, wearing such a coat as part of the style statement-/ you know, coat as accessory kind of thing.

Helena

Veteran

I love it and given the neutral color you could easily mix it up with bright vs. Neutral scarves, hats and gloves.

unfrumped

Veteran

Haha! I put a smaller size in my cart last night to noodle on, and it is gone today! Sold out in that size.