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Trying on coats

amiable

Veteran

It's the first day chilly enough to consider bringing out coats, so I figured I'd try on my collection.

Here it is.

And here's my question to you: Which ones are no longer current, unflattering, or for any reason should go?

I currently have five coats. I'm not entirely opposed to keeping them all, but I'd prefer to get rid of a few, I think - and minimize the space they take up.

#1 White leather, with a removable collar
#2 Cobalt puffer (not as warm)
#3 White long coat
#4 Charcoal with a brown collar (also not as warm)
#5 White puffer
#6 Brown/Olive quilted coat (it changes colors in different lights)

Thanks in advance for your help with these!

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16 replies

Latest reply was from amiable

catgirl

Veteran

Wow, three white coats that are still white! I like them all but I NEVER get rid of coats. Maybe switch one of the white coats for a new color?

amiable

Veteran

I agree - three white coats is over-the-top. I'm trying not to acquire new coats (unless one happens to find me....) - just hoping to minimize what I have here a bit

I'm thinking that I'll keep at least one of the white ones, and the cobalt. I'm not sure if either dark one is current or flattering enough to merit staying? (Nor am I sure which white one is the best of the lot)

bj1111

Veteran

I love the blue as long as it is functional

The long white one looks a bit big especially in the armholes and hips. Same with the brown coat.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I like #1, #2 and #6 the most from what I can see in these images.

Anonymous

I'd donate 3 and 4 which look the least flattering. I'd keep a warm coat for playing with the kids in the snow. #1 looks like it could be your dressy coat with the collar.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I am not sure about #3, it looks too big for you.
I cannot see #4 and #6 properly in the picture so cannot comment on them.
I would keep all puffers and a white leather coat.

Thistle

Veteran

Wow, how do you keep white coats white?!? And with kids!

Of the coats here, I would cull 3. It doesn't feel current or flattering to my eye.

I always have a hard time letting go of coats. They are expensive and the cold season is soooo loooong.

amiable

Veteran

Thistle - I hand-wash my white coats almost every wear.

Nebraskim

Veteran

I agree with Joy. I think coats 3 and 4 are the least flattering and 3 seems dated. All the remainders are the same high hip length. Maybe find a sleeker tailored mid-thigh to top of knee length? I got a neoprene Michael Kors coat last year on an early sale. It is black, slightly fitted, has a diagonal zipper and is a couple inches over my knee. Except for the very coldest of days, it worked for me last year. It feels fresh and grown up. Lots of great coats right now to pick from at all price points.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

No answer but some questions:

Do they all work for the same temperature range -- and if not, do you have need of coats that work in the variety of ranges?

Do they all work for all your activities? Or do you need different styles for different parts of your life?

I don't think you can answer the culling question until those are answered.

Impressed that you have three white coats!

amiable

Veteran

Good questions Suz - thanks!

The warmest two are the brown quilted one and the white puffer. I should keep one of those.

The coolest two are the cobalt puffer and the charcoal one with a brown collar. I think I'll keep the cobalt, and ditch the charcoal.

I would like one that would be dressy enough for business casual, and one that would wash easily enough to be for building snowmen and general play. There is a white leather one (#!), and the long white is dry-clean only (I handwash it in a sink sucessfully though). All the others are machine washable.

I suspect the color of the olive/brown quilted one isn't very flattering on me. (I'm not sure of it - but usually olive toned things wash me out badly)

With that analysis, I should keep the white puffer, the cobalt puffer, and a dressier one for business casual, (maybe the white leather?) right?

(Hmm... which is what Sveta said )

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I agree with your analysis, Amiable. I like the white leather and the white puffer on you the best. I'm not convinced that the olive/brown is a bad color on you, and I'd be tempted to keep it, because don't you need more than one coat for daily wear? The cobalt one is good, too. I would consider replacing what you cull, too. But that's me--I get tired of coats during a long cool season, so I like variety!

Staysfit

Veteran

Do you need more space? Do you plan to replace any of these with more current coats? I downgrade my unfashionable coats for things like shoveling snow and outdoor play activities. I don't have to worry about their cleanliness or condition that way.

Having said that, my favorites of your coats are the white leather, the cobalt, and the white puffer. I also like the length of the long white coat. I don't know about you, but I frequently have need for a long coat in the winter. Yours is nice, and doesn't look like it needs to be replaced. I need to try washing my coats by hand! It's amazing that yours are so clean!

Diana

Veteran

I love #1, please keep that one! Of the remainder, I think #3 looks too big, and not in the current deliberately oversized way. But it's also the only long, dressier one so I'm not sure you wouldn't need a replacement. I'm also not wild about either 4 or 6. They are both fine, but seem more utilitarian than anything else. For utilitarian coats, I think both the blue and white puffers are far more flattering.

So I guess I'm saying keep the white leather and the 2 puffers, and maybe look for a new longer wool coat.

unfrumped

Veteran

Agree with suz that you may want to think both, toss what you don't like, but also what's your temp strategy.
For looks, I like 1 &2 for sure--they just look like "you" and seem to fit well, look sporty. The long white coat isn't as flattering--something about the collar and cut. I'd toss it but think whether you need to "replace" it or just move on to whatever coat you need. The darker ones are harder to see. if the white puffer is very useful, keep it and then think about its replacement over time with what might be a more fun color.

amiable

Veteran

Thanks for all the input!
#3 and #4 are in the donate bag now. I kept #6 as a 'play in the snow', or grub coat, and I'll watch for a longer replacement. But I think that three or four coats will likely be enough for me not to be pinched any time soon.