Suggestions for hardworking fashiony travel coat or jacket

This week starts my busy season -- five straight weeks of serious business travel for focus groups. I'll be crossing the country from NY to LA, Houston to DC, Minneapolis to NJ. I may need to pick up a good jacket or coat that can get me through because I am so unhappy with my current trench coat: it wrinkles like crazy and I'm kind of over its fit: simple, straight, unbelted. And those wrinkles! What's the best coat or jacket to take me through multiple weather scenarios, that's easy to travel with, that packs well, and that finishes an outfit well? I like the idea of belted but don't necessarily need to go there. I have a pea coat but I don't like the idea of lugging a wool coat around.
My work outfits for focus groups are basically business casual: think straight leg or bootcut pants with booties, oxfords or heels; blouse or sweater; sometimes a blazer. Sometimes I even wear jeans. I conduct groups with teens, adults, and professionals so I dress to suit the audience.
All help is welcome! Thanks!!!

12 years ago

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I know that you are unhappy with your trench, but I am pretty happy with my Burberry. It travels everywhere with me - I have even squished it into a little ball in the bottom of my bag once (iT PAINED ME SO MUCH TO DO BUT I HAD TO) and it bounced back with a few shakes.

I've worn it with dresses and jeans - and even pj's once - and always had nice comments about it - I did get a little water stain on it though, but that easily wiped off with (haha) water.

There's enough room under mine to layer a blazer.

I guess the only weather I haven't worn it for is a raging rainstorm - even in light showers, it's perfectly fine; I usually carry an umbrella for the really big rains.

I like to flip up the collar to look really bad ass. My med students just make fun of me and are like, "UHOH. SHE'S MAD."

We have fun adventures

Glory

I haven't a clue but will be watching with interest. Although I would love a Burberry myself it won't be in the cards.
The weather might pose some issues for a single coat unless you go for a trench with a liner (like a London Fog)?

Carla

For travel nothing beats my DKNY black trench, mid thigh length. 57% cotton, 43% poly.

5 years and it has been on two month long trips (Ireland in April) and England/ Scotland (September). It's been on planes, trains, and buses for numerous other trips for work and play. Also, balled into the bottom of my tote, and stuffed into a pocket of my suitcase.

It can be worn straight without the belt, with the tie belt, and with a 5 inch wide cinch buckled belt for different looks. Worn layered over a wool jacket for extra warmth, protected a leather jacket from the rain. Jazzed up with gloves, scarf, bag.

Get home, throw it in the wash, hang to dry, and it's ready to go, looking like new.

Thistle

What about this with the zip out liner? Will take you through colder cliamtes as well as warmer.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/mi.....petite-nor

viva

Any thoughts on a light quilted jacket like this?

http://tinyurl.com/llcvgal

Still thinking about a trench with a liner -- thanks for those suggestions. And thanks also for mentioning the poly content of your trench, Runcaria. I wonder if my Coach trench could possibly be all cotton?
Anyway, just wondering about possibly the quilted jacket (above), which is another direction altogether. Really good price, though; $150 and 40% off right now.

JAileen

A trench would be very practical, especially the worse the weather. The quilted jacket looks great and everyone is carrying them now, but I wonder how practical it would be for really bad weather. I tried to get a trench earlier this year for a trip and failed miserably. You can look up that thread if you need a laugh.

Another popular if preppy option might be a Barbour waxed cotton jacket. They're expensive, but evidently last forever. However, I have a problem with something that can't be cleaned. Nordstrom carries the line, as well as Orvis.

Parsley

I don't think you could go wrong with a Burberry trench.
I like the jacket you linked to, but it looks pretty casual for work to me, and I think the short length would decrease the versatility. It would be too short to wear over blazers or longer sweaters.

Gaylene

There are trenches and there are trenches, so I wouldn't tag them all as wrinkle-prone or difficult to pack. My travel trench is a very packable, classic one that is made of water-resistant, breathable fabric. It never wrinkles even when I squish it into a large ziplock bag so it fits easily into the outer pocket of my carry on.

I personally wouldn't look for a trench with a zip-in liner because that really limits your options. Instead, I'd look for a trench that could easily go over a cashmere or wool sweater, or even a light jacket. I have a moto-style, quilted jacket that layers beautifully under my trench, but also looks really good on it's own if I just want to wear a casual, light jacket. When I layer my down jacket under my trench and add a scarf, gloves, and hat, I'm comfortable in 32F weather.

Viva I forgot that I have a quilted knee length coat - similar but longer than the one you posted. I haven't work travelled in a long while but it is the one I always used because it was non destructable. It was great in all weather except very warm weather. I could manage in cold weather with a scarf as long as it wasn't northern outside.. It looks great with dresses, pants and jeans. Mine is black with a burberry style lining and leather trim on the outside, snap buttons.

rachylou

My coat of choice has always been a London Fog trench with removable lining. Burlington Coat Factory, lol. I have always liked the fit, versatility, and practicality.

kkards

my fav traveling winter coat is my long down coat from the north face, mine is 7 or 8 years old, but this is really similar.
it travels really well, it can double as a blanket on the plane, it doesn't wrinkle even when dumped into the tsa bins. it washes like a dream, so i don't care if it ends up on the floor of an airplane, becuase the overhead bin is full. it zips and snaps so it works in the super cold or windy days, or you can wear it open on the warmer days. of the places you mentioned, the only place i think it would not work is houston.

http://www.dickssportinggoods......0.13243218

Thank you for all these suggestions! You've all got me thinking more practically, which is good because my brain is so fried right now I am not sure I can do this alone. I'll be back!

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