I love the raincoat, actually. I think it looks great on you. And for it to be truly waterproof, it's hard to avoid some crinkle.

I can't get past that you are going on a month long retreat in Banff. I must find a life that includes a month long retreat in Banff!! I honeymooned there and I long for its beauty. Sigh.

I think the coat is a perfect travel coat that will keep you dry and stylish. Can't wait to see your travel capsule!

Looks wise the raincoat looks pretty darn good! The outfit would not feel out of place in a catalogue for Toast, provided you were wandering off in some remote and slightly eerie landscape.

Hi Suz, you look wonderful and polished in this outfit.

I too have a very similar, earlier version of this NF raincoat (mine is black). And mine is not lined. I must admit it has been serving me despite its drawbacks: crinkly, and on me the XS is very fit, maybe a bit too fit for a bulkier sweater underneath, which I always need when wearing it since it's not lined and not very warm. The other drawback is that the belt is very short. Yours look a bit longer. I like to tie my belt, like you, rather than fasten in into the snap buttons; however a shortish belt means that unless I tie it really tight it will come undone.

Despite these drawbacks, as I said, the coat has been useful mainly because of its cut and because it's a nice "feminine" alternative to gear on yucky days.

I love the color on yours, very classic, and it will go with a lot of color schemes too. I can see black, taupe, green, red, pink... AND it suits you perfectly. You look lovely in it.

Stripes make outfit more springy- very fine.
I love the fit of the coat- if it layers also, it's very flattering for gear , so seems a keep for a travel capsule and your seasonal wear.

Your trendy casual outfit looks fantastic - I know it's hard to look springy when there's no spring in the weather! I really like the raincoat on you, but I know what you mean about the crinkly fabric. The crinkly fabric on one of my raincoats annoys me because it always looks wrinkled. But mine is definitely a "gear" coat so I don't mind it too much, if it was a dressier looking coat I probably would mind it more.
The coat does look beautiful on you - if you didn't have your upcoming retreat, would you still keep it, or would you keep looking?

Karie, that's a great question. I might keep looking for an "even better" one (i.e. not crinkly at all, but still waterproof.) I do intend it to be gear (it has to work as gear) but I also want it for travel of various kinds -- some that would take me into the city. So far this is the best combination type coat I've found. I did try on a few others as well. I tried a Lole jacket that had beautiful fabric and a high quality zipper, but it had a fussy belt and looked more like yoga clothes than a real coat. And I tried another one that had better fabric but the fit and style were not as good on me and it was much more obviously "gear"-like.

Hmmm. Worth thinking about. It's not an absolute necessity for me to have this now, perhaps -- I could possibly buy something at my destination.

I love your outfit!

As for the raincoat, I think it looks terrific. Color and fit are so perfect for you. I think a little "crinkle" is natural in a water-resistant fabric, but only you can tell if it bothers you or not. My Burberry trench makes a subtle swishy noise in motion, but that doesn't bother me.

This one is actually waterPROOF, so it's a true gear coat. And those ones tend to be the most "crinkly." My water resistant trenches (Theory and London Fog) don't have that quality. But this coat is basically a piece of nylon, so of course it's going to crinkle a bit.

I wish I had a raincoat like that! Love your outfit too! Great bag

You look great, and so does the coat! Great find in your colors.

Suz- like the shape, style and color of the coat on you. The fit looks perfect. For a coat to look that good and yet function as gear is a rarity. For travel, it could do everything from business to site-seeing to dinner effortlessly. If the fabric works and the zipper issue is manageable, you have a lot of flattery going on in with it.

Have a great time in Banff.

I think the coat looks great. I don't have a North Face raincoat, but I have had some of their other gear and it's truly bomb-proof as gear, lasts for decades. I think if you also keep all your tags and receipts and something goes wrong with it in the future the Northface will sometimes replace things.

Your outfit is perfection - as usual! And that 'gear' coat looks very chic on you with the popped collar and belt.

Rabbit, that's brilliant information. I am going to hang onto everything then. I love the versatility of this style so even though it's crinkly I think I will keep.

That Parker/raincoat is definitely a keeper! I love the collar all the way up- tres chic! Perhaps the 'crinkle' will add an extra dimension when styling?

I love your raincoat! My raincoat is a bit crinkly but it doesn't bother
Me. Your outfit is cute too! Only you can determine if you like the coat but the fit and the color are fantastic for you!. Enjoy your time on holiday!

A little late to the party but wanted to say I think you look smashing in that raincoat and the fab interpretation of the ensemble. You had me at "hood inside the collar" I love coats with hoods as I avoid umbrellas at all cost. The color looks terrific and I really like it the look with the coat's neck up and tall too.

Here's where it talks a bit about the lifetime warranty: http://www.thenorthface.com/en.....guarantee/

Chiming in on the NF lifetime warranty claim.

My 11 year old recently broke the zipper fob on his NF winter jacket which was purchased at NAS two seasons back. Nordstrom could have done the repair if the jacket was in season, since it was a winter jacket they did not have the proper zipper in stock so they referred us to our local NF store. We took it to the store which sent it away to the factory repair shop. Voila! four weeks later his jacket was shipped directly to our home with a brand new zipper - no charge. Hopefully, he will not outgrow it before next fall!

Love your outfit! The raincoat seems to check most of the boxes and the ones it doesn't check might let up (the softening). You could always replace the zipper to make it a two way if in the end it bothers you a lot but the crinkle fabric turns out not to bother you. Glad you heard from a couple who own the coat. Waterproof is vital in some instances and this certainly doesn't look to be all gear.

I love your version of Angie's ensemble & the raincoat looks good for the needs you mentioned. Have a great trip.

The outfit looks like the perfect FFBO for transitional weather. I like how you polished it up by wearing ponte instead of denim bottoms. I'm another yes vote for the coat, it looks much more chic than the usual North Face jacket. The lace of a 2-way zipper is baffling though, I thought they practically trademarked that feature, along with Velcro wrist closures.

ETA -- and if you keep it you are supporting a good company. TNF has sponsored my brother's climbing career for over 20 years and given him a real job (head of the athlete sponsorship program).

Love the coat and your outfit is so fab! Of course I am going to love the dark colours for Spring!!

Suz I love your raincoat. Looks great on you. I have a Burberry trench and a sturdy gear raincoat (I can't remember the brand). It is hard to get something stylish in gear. My gortex coat crinkles but I don't think it makes a sound. It is the type of fabric. It certainly is not as stylish as yours.

Still think you should check out the Stella Grace...
http://www.thenorthface.com/ca.....women-8217

Thanks, Elizabeth....

I think it is heavier weight, correct?

I need more of a shell vs. a coat. For in-town, I have two great (and more fashionable) trenches. This is just for the gear/ travel capsule. Not for wearing much in my regular life, if you know what I am saying. So light has real advantages for me. I do like the Stella Grace....but don't have access to one before I go. However, I could return this coat and simply buy one in Banff as needed (or if needed). There are hundreds of gear stores there.

Gotcha. I think it might be heavier, I can't remember. The store that I had looked at them in here closed, so it's been a while since I compared. What liked about it vs the Grace was that you didn't see the "geary" light inside of the hood, which seemed to casualize it so much. Because the style of it is so much more stylish than most gear coats! Sounds like it will be perfect for you then.

New here, chiming in

I love the raincoat! I think it looks sharp! You'd fit right in here in Vancouver