Winter coat over sweaters

dancergirlmom

I'm looking to find a winter coat that I can layer over sweaters and won't make my arms looks like sausages. Our winters in Upstate, NY are too cold for just a vest, but I've yet to find a casual coat with wide enough arms. Any suggestions for someone 5"1 and curvy? Thanks!

15 years ago

Shopping

8 replies

Latest reply was from Michelle

Tanya

Veteran

What kind of coat are you looking for? A wool coat, a puffer? Also, what kind of sweaters should it fit over - big chunky ones or fitted fine gauge? It Would be also helpful to know your color and style preference.

15 years ago

Rachel

Active Member

That's a tough one. If you don't get any good suggestions here, you might want to take a closer look at your sweater choices. Cashmere has a high warmth to weight ratio, so you can have something that is warm but not bulky. You also want to make sure that your sweaters fit you well. If the sleeve is not fitted up close to your armpit, the extra fabric is going to get bunched up when you put a structured coat on, and that makes the coat look and feel tighter.

Good luck!

15 years ago

Louise

Veteran

I think if you stick with thin layers most coats should layer over them successfully x

15 years ago

dancergirlmom

Active Member

I do have some thin sweaters - but also many chunkier ones as well...that I really don't want to give up. Most of the time I'm just shuttling kids around - so probably a thin "puffer" type...although I wouldn't rule out a casual wool coat. I'm flexible on the color and style - I just don't want anything that makes me look like the Staypuff Marshmallow Man! Thanks

15 years ago

Kim

Veteran

I just picked up an Eddie Bauer Slope Side down parka for nearly 1/2 off a couple of weeks ago. I got the silver as shown, but theres some nice color choices, and it's cut nicely so that you don't look huge in the parka! LOL It also has a very long belt with d rings on it that you can keep or remove. I kept mine and just tie it up to add some more shape.

I too have to layer over pretty heavy sweaters (Waving at you from Ontario, not far from Upstate NY!) and so far have been able to nicely with this coat. I can see me reaching for it again and again because I hate the cold!

The hood is removable, as is the fake fur (can be removed from the hood if you like) and it's washable, a big plus for me!

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15 years ago

dancergirlmom

Active Member

Thanks Kim...waving back at you from Rochester! Good tip on the Eddie Bauer coat...I'll head over to their store and check it out!

15 years ago

wilson

Active Member

This isn't an answer to the question you asked, but I want to add that I lived just below Canada for many years in an area where winters were long, cold and heavy. I eventually started wearing cashmere for the exact reasons Rachel mentioned because wearing coats (any kind) over heavy sweaters felt too constricting and looked bad. It was really difficult to get past the price tag at first but it lasts seemingly forever! The company "Pure" sells a good variety of quality styles and colors and their spring sales and the coupons they mail out make it really affordable.

15 years ago

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Lands End has some flattering puffer styles in various lengths. I personally wear the chevron knee-length coat when temperatures are freezing and favour a dressy wool coat most of the time, but I know the chevron style also comes in a hip-length and mid-thigh length. The diagonal seaming is slimming and flattering, and the cut is definitely roomy enough to work over sweaters. It's quite warm, but surprisingly bulk-free. And like Kim's coat, the hood and faux-fir trim are both removable.
*another wave, this time from Toronto*

15 years ago

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