Trendy Casual Classic & K/R raincoat - YouLookFab Forum

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About: Ensemble: A Trendy Casual Classic

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Trendy Casual Classic & K/R raincoat

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Hello, Lovelies!

I have been a bit scarce here due to very heavy work commitments and travel in the past few weeks. But now it's catch up time! And none too soon, because I have a packing capsule coming up for my month long retreat in Banff. I leave on Thursday. WHOOT!!

First, here's my interpretation of Angie's trendy casual classic, with:

Zara pointed toe ink blue booties
GAP Really skinny ponte pants (3 years and still going strong!)
MK belt
Land's End Mariner sweater
Lucky Brand Leather Sleeved denim jacket.

A bit dark for spring maybe, but it's still pretty cool here.

Next up, a K/R raincoat. I'm headed for Banff and needed a waterproof breathable coat that would work both on Calgary jaunts (and for future rainy days at home) and in the mountains. This is the North Face Grace. It is hardly a thing of high fashion and beauty, but it's not too bad.

Pro: Fits well, comfortable, navy blue, hood inside collar, versatile, good pockets, logo is not obvious. (I can wear it over a blazer no problem, so layering is fine as well).

Con: For some reason it's not a two -way zipper. Material feels a bit "crinkly." Belt is not the greatest.

I think on balance it's a keep, but maybe I will check reviews just in case. And if anyone has this coat, I'd love to hear your experience.

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58 replies

Latest reply was from jackiec

Jewell

Veteran

Great interpretation of the trendy casual classic ensemble!

The rain coat looks a bit crinkly to me, but I like everything else about it. I'm no expert on rain coats and don't have one myself, so I'm sure there are much better judges here than me. For all I know, they're supposed to be crinkly. Any YAY for a month long retreat- woot woot!

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Suz, glad to 'see' you. I like the jacket from the photos. I think the color and the fit are lovely. Only you can say whether the fabric will bug you. Congrats on the upcoming retreat!

Joy

Veteran

Your trendy casual classic interpretation is sharp!
I really like the rain coat shape, color and fit on you. Be sure that you are ok with the crinkle though. I had to have a similar coat a couple of years ago for Alaska and settled for crinkle due to lack of time to look, but am very sorry. I hate that coat for the noise it makes. It is EB and was supposed to breathe but does not. A good rain coat is harder to find than I thought it would be. I just bought a cream one at REI made by Columbia that is not as noisy. REI had a good non-crinkly black one (their brand) but I wanted something other than black this time. Good luck and yay for Banff!

kellygirl

Veteran

Love your take on the blog post. You look terrific! So polished and modern. I like the coat a lot. It looks sporty and cool. I find a zipper much better with rainy cold weather--I find trenches too fiddly when it's cold and rainy. Seems like a great coat for your climate especially.

Anonymous

Fabulous trendy casual outfit! I like the look of the raincoat a lot, but only you know how you feel about the fabric. I think as Joy said it might get annoying with crinkle sounds.

carter

Veteran

Love the trendy classic look. The raincoat looks great in the pictures. The collar is fabulous, and the fit looks perfect.

Now, can we talk about the bag...details, please. Is it black or navy and white or cream?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You nailed the ensemble YOUR way too, Gorgeous Suz. Not that I expected anything else of course.

From the photos, my thumbs are up on the raincoat. Super colour and fit. Only you can accurately assess the fabric. xo

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Carter, this bag is Danier (what else?) and was one of their less expensive offerings last year -- I think it cost us $39 or sale, or something like that. It's black and white, but works just as well with navy. I don't know if they offer anything similar this year. This was an in store impulse gift from Mr. Suz when he was buying himself a leather jacket. (Lucky me!) I use it a lot in the transitional seasons because it's dark and light at the same time.

Thanks for the thoughts on the coat. It doesn't really "sound" crinkly, but it has a bit of that crinkly feel, you know? (You do know. I know you know.) But as far as I can tell, they pretty much ALL do. I tried on a few by other companies and it was the same.

I do like the collar on this one a lot. There's a hood in there, of course. But I like that it doesn't have to show.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Ooh - thanks, Angie! Crossposted.

Yes, I thought the fit was pretty darned good for a gear jacket, which is why I decided to take it in the end. The fabric might "settle" a bit once I wear it, too, I suppose.

merwoman

Veteran

Love your outfit in pic 1 - effortless chic! And we all know that effortless takes effort!

Raincoats are hard to find. I like how you've styled this one in pic 4 the best. It seems that it has a whitish lining - this brightens up your face, Fit looks good and it has a hood in case you get caught without a brolly. If it's reasonably priced, I'd keep it.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Exactly. It's a great contender. xo

Dee

Veteran

I really like the coat. The fit is perfect on you. With all our crazy Calgary weather lately, I'm sure you'll get good use out of in your trip. Have fun in Banff (a whole month? I'm super jealous)!

Sharon

Veteran

I think the coat looks fantastic - really smart and stylish and not like gear at all. And of course the ensemble looks great on you and it strikes me as being very in tune with your usual style.

rachylou

Veteran

Suz, you've got trendy casual tied up with a pretty bow (so to speak).

The raincoat is always tricky. It looks good, seems functional. I do personally like a two-way zipper; makes a huge difference to me. Clothing 'noise' is also a bit of an issue for me. Sometimes fashion is enough for me to overlook - but probably not in a downpour.

Lyn D.

Veteran

I really like the rain-coat Suz- functional and great colour and shape!
As someone mentioned on my trendy-classic take post, it is so nice during Autumn/Spring to be able to wear similar outfits

Kiwichik

Veteran

Love the classic ensemble and I think the coat is a keeper - looks good on you (or perhaps more accurate to say you make it look good).

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Great casual ensemble! I really quite like the raincoat. The fit is spot on.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

This was definitely a case where trying on in real life helped. I tried the "what's my size" thing on their website and they'd have put me in the small. This one is the xs and it's plenty roomy for layering and movement.

I'm glad the coat meets YLF approval. For a gear coat I think it's pretty good looking.

Makrame

Veteran

This is a really fashionable raincoat! Hope the crinkle is not too bad.

Great take on the trendy casual!

Lantana

Veteran

Oooh, yummy yum yum.
I have a mariner sweater but I will need a much cooler day to wear it with the jacket. It is still in the upper seventies here.
Suz,I envy your lovely neck and being able to wear collars as in #3

Lisa

Veteran

I can't speak for this specific coat, but I've been pretty pleased with Northface coats in the past. And fun twist on the classic outfit. This outfit looks like it is seasonless and can work for both fall and spring.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Suz, haven't read the replies, but did you check out the Stella Grace jacket? It's much more like a trench, yet still goretex. I almost bought it last year, but they didn't have my size in the store, so I waited, and the season passed... But it strikes me as the perfect trench. I don't get non waterproof rain coats, not living in halifax! The Grace always struck me as a more gearish fabric ( which I didn't need, I have my mec goretex).

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Trust our Suz to turn this casual ensemble into the outfit worthy of the Urban Prince!
I also think the raincoat is darn good on you but as Angie said only you can assess the fabric - but it looks great and not-too-gearish!

Aubergine

Veteran

Have fun on the retreat! The jacket looks entirely non-gearish. Definitely worth a keep. And your version of the outfit formula really feels like a classic Suz outfit.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Love the ensemble AND the raincoat. The blue has depth, and much more life than black. It's sleek enough and practical enough. I must admit, however, that I'm a fabric snob (except for polyester, which I allow, being raised in the 70's). I might not like that "crinkle factor" either.

I was in Banff at age 12. I still sigh when I think about Lake Louise.

Mia

Veteran

Suz

I have this coat, I am on the "wet coast" so mine gets a lot of use and I pack for travel sometimes as well because so light and good to layer under. Not the most stylish coat in my closet but I highly recommend it. The hood is a good feature. I like the crispness and it does soften over time. Love the navy on you!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Your outfit with and without the new trench looks fantastic. I actually really like the sporty stylish vibe of the trench on you. And I think you will get lots of use out of it. Great black and white bag from Mr. Suz too!

Helena

Veteran

Terrific - as always

I've got to start looking at Danier more often!!

And love the coat - looks great to me.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, all - and especially Mia, for weighing in! I am really glad to hear that it holds up to its promise of being waterproof. I have two nicer trenches for regular wear and showers (they are water repellant but not water proof), but this is more for travel and possible downpours. It is exceptionally light so will pack really well. And if the fabric relaxes a bit, that is a bonus.

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