What’s your public transportation winter coat? - YouLookFab Forum

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What’s your public transportation winter coat?

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

For those who commute on buses and trains, what kind of coat do you wear in the winter to balance being warm enough outside, but not overheated in trains?

For example, I’ve been eyeing the Canada Goose Hybridge coat, but suspect — if it is similar to my Patagonia down sweater jacket— that it will be far too cold. I also find that puffers aren’t breathable, causing me to sweat unpleasantly, and increasing laundry frequency.

Alternatively, I was looking at a double-faced oversized wool cocoon coat that is super soft and light, but thin—great for layering, but would layering provide enough warmth?

What works for you?

Dressing

41 replies

Latest reply was from Karie

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Pendleton wool duffle coat, with a hood. But Seattle isn't super cold. When I lived in the Bronx I had an Andrew Marc down puffer, with a hood.

Joy

Veteran

I was going to say a puffer but I feel that they are warm as they need to be but not too warm. Is yours lined with something nonbreathable?

Diana

Veteran

I wear wool coats everywhere, generally with a big scarf and several layers underneath if it's cold. I do not own a puffer (mostly bc I don't like how they look) and am fine all winter in Boston. I run somewhat warm though. I find that if I unbutton the coat and remove the scarf, I'm general,y ok on the train or bus.

The find below is my Burberry wool trench, which is one of several wool coats I own for deep winter.

Single-Breasted Wool-Blend Trenchcoat

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Astrid

Veteran

I also wear a wool coat all through winter. It's actually not very thick at all, but it's a true wool fabric. I own a puffer coat, but I never wear it (and suspect it might be too small right now anyway). I wear the same wool coat in fall (under 15°C) und winter (some snow and truly cold days, but mostly temperatues around freezing), I just layer accordingly. I've been taking a lot of public transport for years and it's a good strategy. I love wool in general for the combination of comfort, warmth and breathability.

Anonymous

It is a hip length, washable puffy jacket. I layer if necessary. Usually it is not necessary. If I am warm, I unzip the jacket and I feel fine.

Sisi

Veteran

I commuted for years by train and I have always worn puffers in Winter. It takes at least 30°C to me to feel warm ... but in the rare cases that I felt warm on the train, I remember that I just unbuttoned/unzipped my puffer. But then, if you find puffers non breathable, a wool coat in the right weight could be the solution.

Staysfit

Veteran

Interesting question. I didn’t realize you might need a different type coat for public transportation. I have always lived in places where the auto ruled.

kkards

Veteran

hmmmm, i commute by car, but both my sisters are subway/bus commuters in NYC....one sister wears TNF long down coat, one wears a long alpaca coat....for super cold days both wear shearling lined coats.

Runcarla

Veteran

In winter I alternate between a wool/cashmere blend pea coat and a coat made of some synthetic that resembles carpet bag material. I have a one hour commute in a heated train. A real train, not a subway. My home station is unstaffed, so there is shelter on the coldest days, but I usually wait outside. The city station is a big old fashioned Union Station, with an indoor line up and sheltered boarding platform. I have short (10 minute) outdoor walks.

I don't see many puffers on the commute. Most folks wear some form of wool coat, or those Ganada Goose style down jackets that are more like a canvas material than a puffer, though still down filled.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I commute mostly by foot now so have different needs, but honestly, it would depend on where I was going, i.e. how dressy the situation and what my activities at the destination might be. I typically wear a wool coat in the city, but it has to be the right wool coat -- super long coats can get heavy and you do want to avoid that on a commute. Some puffers overheat, as you say -- but puffers come in different weights and fabrications. The Canada Goose ones are made to be especially warm and don't necessarily breathe all that well unless they are unzipped. I'd wear what the weather demands and open or shut it or remove scarf, etc, for breathability. Or if the commute is a long one (i.e. on a commuter train for an hour or more) I'd simply take the coat off but keep a cashmere shawl etc. on.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I don’t understand your question “would layering provide enough warmth?”
That’s the point of layering—two lighter layers keep you warmer than one huge one. It’s also more flexible.

For the couple of years I used public transit in Berlin, my rides were short enough that just unzipping & taking off mittens was enough.

approprio

(website)

Veteran

I was looking at a double-faced oversized wool cocoon coat that is super soft and light, but thin—great for layering, but would layering provide enough warmth?

This is my strategy in a nutshell - layering medium weight oversized toppers over blazers, leather or ultralight down. In colder weather I add hats, shawls and gloves, all of which can be taken off on the train.

Kathie

Veteran

I commute by train (15 minute ride, heated car), with a 5-10 minute at either end. A few times each week, I hop on the subway to get to meetings in other parts of the city. In the winter I wear a knee-length wool coat, large enough to layer a fine-gauge sweater and jacket underneath. The layers is key, so that if for some reason my train is overheated, I can shed one.

rachylou

Veteran

Early morning and evening cold has a special bite to it, I find. The wind kicks up. I really like a long coat, so the breeze doesn’t sneak under and between.

Also, I’d like to share that the kind ladies of YLF have taught me things about layering and cold weather dressing that I never knew as a Californian. Because there may be others like me out there lurking.

First off, I wouldn’t layer, I’d just put on a Puffy and be cold. Thin California clothing is a layer of nothing, lol. Multiple layers of these things are layers of nothing. Wool regulates temp, keeps it even. Your cotton needs to be sandwiched between thermals and a nice fine wool. Haha! This also helps to keep things from getting too hot, layers of the right stuff. Also, it helps if things are fitted. Roominess is not as warm. Scarves can make you overheat... scarves can be enough to weatherise something that doesn’t seem enough.

Ok. Maybe I’ll remember more of what I learned here. But I also want to say, when you commute by public transport that you don’t want to look like a mark. Don’t get cute. People make me worry a lot on the public commute. Do not flash your Apple Watch. Do not wear the North Face Puffer AND the Timbuk messenger bag AND the google glasses...

And especially don’t then proceed to line up for a Google bus at the public bus stop. Incite no riots.

No! Lol.

tanstaafl

I have a 15 minute walk from my house to the station, then 30 minutes on the train. I bundle up for the walk, mid thigh length puffer coat, boots, scarf, hat, and gloves. If I start to feel too warm on the train I unzip or take off the cold weather accessories. With the doors opening on the train every 10 minutes or so, the train never feels overly warm to me.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Rachylou, are you close enough to Silicon Valley that Google is considered stylish/enviable?

rachylou

Veteran

Fashiontern, I’m so close that Google is considered An Evil Plague Upon Mankind. Except for in Mountain View, which is behind the Iron Curtain and under Sauron’s eye, and thus the evil can only be whispered of... for fear of losing the free wi-fi...

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

@fashionintern, I meant that for some conditions, and depending on the wool coat, layering won’t be enough to keep you warm. If you have relatively large upper arms of shoulders, for example, there’s only so much that you can layer before the coat cuts into the armpit.

I see @rachylou’s point about wearing a fitted coat for warmth, but the oversized/cocoon silhouette allow lots of leeway in the shoulder area.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I wear all my coats accept the cream one when commuting with public transport.

LaPed

Veteran

It's been a while since I last lived somewhere with both cold weather and public transportation. I was always fine with a lined wool duffel coat. A lining makes the coat easier to slip on and off, especially if you're wearing a sweater underneath. Accessories and a hood are important if you wait at a bus stop or outdoor platform. Of course, I run cold. I've been known to wear said wool duffel coat for entire flights, and often don't bother taking my coat off in cafes (I'm wearing a wool shirt-jac and a thick wool beanie in a cafe as I write this). This is why low-bulk puffers have been a godsend for my chilly self. Are your puffers down or synthetic? I pretty much never wash my down ones, some of which I've had for years, but I used to have a poly-fill one that developed a musty smell after a few weekend backpacking trips. Never washed out, even with those enzyme-based sport washes.

Anonymous

Je porte essentiellement mon manteau beige que je viens d'acheter en deuxième main car il tient chaud quand je suis dans le train je l'enlève pour ne pas avoir trop froid en sortant du train.

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The Cat

Veteran

I wear all my winter coats (but only one at a time ) when commuting by bus or train. One of them is a puffer coat, the second is a wool coat, and the third is made of a fabric which name I don't remember--anyway, the third one has a fake fur lining. In addition, I have several warm jackets which some people would probably call coats (but to me, a "coat" is knee-length or longer)--among these are a thick quilted velvet jacket, a long wool jacket and an all-weather jacket. Of all these, the all-weather jacket (despite being very practical for outdoor use) is the one who feels most uncomfortable indoors, including on busses and trains.

If I run warm, I just unbutton my winter coat/jacket (and/or remove my hat, scarf and gloves). When I travel for more than 30-40 minutes, I might take it off. I always wear something like a cardigan or a long-sleeved pullover underneath.

Style Fan

Veteran

On public transportation (Montreal) I usually wear my Lole puffer. I never wear wool coats in the winter. I run cold and I live in a very cold place. It is cramped on public transportation and but my ride is only a few stops. Most people wear puffers. I rarely see wool coats in the winter.

Greyscale

Veteran

Whenever I visit NY or Boston in winter, I remember this dilemma. I run really hot whenever I move around, and I hate being too hot, but I get cold quickly when standing still outside. So, I always remove my warmest layer entirely, on the subway. The right answer for me is a single very heavy coat that comes off easily, with lightweight layers under it.

I was just contemplating this because I have job interviews in cold climates in January & February. I need to remember that many thin layers (perfect for SF) will be a pain to take on and off when going between overly-heated indoors and very cold outdoors.

Bernard also points out something my mother always told me: don't keep your warm coat on indoors because then you'll feel cold when you go outside.

Laughing at Rachy's accurate description of the eye of Sauron/Google. Luckily the Google bus protests have died down. My house is right on their main route and there are SO MANY! Better than individual cars for sure, but it's hard not to notice their impact.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

That’s another advantage of layers—you can keep some on indoors, but not as many as you’ll wear outside. I mentioned this in Janet’s post a few days ago about one big puffer for her trip or a lighter one and a different coat to go over it. I voted for the latter. No matter how nice the one big puffer is, it’s still just one piece.

Anonymous

I think you could set up your layers to work with a wool coat, but I think you’ll be just as hot on public transit, due to all the layers. Unless you take the layers off, but that’s really inconvenient (all the reaching and the static).

I like the convenience of a one-layer knee-length puffer, but it is a less dressy look for sure.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Bernard, you look great -- and what an excellent point. Layers are great but only if we remove/ add as needed!

FashionIntern -- layering might not provide enough warmth where I live. I mean, it will, but only if you leave a lot of layers on...and with commuting, one problem is the way you're warm on the train and cold when you get outside...you're probably also carrying a tote, etc. so taking stuff off is possible if the layers are small and lightweight, but maybe awkward if the layers are bulky and heavy -- and unless at least one layer is bulky, it probably won't be warm enough for where I live...

Sigh....

Anonymous

I just bought another puffer to walk a few steps from my car to my office, lol. I can’t seem to stay warm except in my home. Working for 2 people who weigh 300 lbs. each doesn’t help. The office is frigid, and they walk around in lightweight shirts.

Anonymous

BC - not sure what your office environment and the weight of your coworkers has to do with anything. GF's post is for people who take public transportation in winter climates. That was a pretty uncharitable comment, and I'm just in the kind of frame of mind today not to let that pass without comment.

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