In my effort to de-clutter and organize, I actually got rid of anything that was:
- black
- didn’t fit well
- was uncomfortable
- too heavy
- not thick or warm enough
Which, due to my AWFUL shopping habits (when I bought coats I liked without thinking), was almost all my winter coats.
Almost all of my winter 3/4 or long coats are gone!
I got rid of a too-thin black coat because it doesn’t hold up in very cold winter conditions.
I got rid of my thick tweed coat because it was just too bulky and heavy to wear everyday. I needed something lighter that wouldn’t weigh me down.
I got rid of my long grey coat because it was.. too long.
I kept tripping over it in the snow and ice. Not very elegant.
All I’ve kept are:
My gorgeous 3/4 length ivory Banana Republic coat that BF bought for me.
My beautiful 3/4 length white Smart Set coat made out of cashmere and wool.
My thrifted Atmosphere hip-length Atmosphere coat with deep pockets that I love.
None of those coats are right for a heavy duty winter using the Metro subway because white or ivory gets transfer marks on it VERY easily.
I usually keep those coats for special nights out, or times when I am riding in a car and not on some filthy public transportation seat.
My Atmosphere coat is perfect for the winter, but just not long enough to keep my thighs warm.
My ideal winter coat will have:
- 3/4 length (not too short, not too long)
- Long sleeves
- Good fabric that is windproof, water resistant and not too thick or heavy
- Not a puffy fabric — something that I can wear that is elegant and sweet
- in a beautiful bright, non-dark or too light colour (purple, red, green, blue)
- Deep pockets so I can keep mittens in them
- No zippers for the front — I have a fear of zipping myself or my scarf in it
- Optional, but a HUGE bonus: A huge, deep hood
- Optional, but a HUGE bonus: A kind of muffler section for me to nuzzle my nose into
I’ve come up with a few acceptable options so far without my optional pieces, but…:
J. Crew Double-cloth lady day coat with Thinsulate – $298 USD
But it doesn’t have a hood or a nuzzle collar. But the colours are GORGEOUS!!!
And here’s a Mackage coat, with exactly what I want in a high nuzzle collar… BUT!! It’s not a fun bright colour, it is in white (again) and it’s around $600.
And here is another jacket I found at Smart Set. It isn’t in a fun colour (I’d even accept red!!!) but it has no real nuzzle neck (but you can pull the flap over the one section and button it up on the side)… but is that a hint of a hood that I see at the back??
I also like the asymmetrical button placement. And the price.
Here’s a nice blue coat from Smart Set as well, but I HATE the belt placement. It’s too fussy. And no hood…
But I am thinking that I will definitely need to scour some thrift stores and look for a winter coat that makes sense … FOR CHEAP.
Any options and ideas for places to look for a coat in Montreal?
Just a girl trying to find a balance between being a Shopaholic and a Saver.
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Don’t forget to check your major dept stores at the end of the season. I found this one on sale at Saks last year. Originally retailed for $600 plus but I got it on clearance in my size for $250!
http://www.shopbop.com/rosette-collar-coat-rebecca-taylor/vp/v=1/845524441831781.htm?folderID=2534374302066345&fm=browse-brand-viewall-shopbysize
The rosette collar seems silly/trendy but it is lovely to burrow your nose into. The belt lets me expand in and out for layers. Plus the coat is 3/4 length on tiny me and not skyhigh model.
I don’t know if you have a Topshop in Montreal – they do some really nice winter coats at great prices.
Good luck with the search.
Swoon, I want a coat now. I actually saw my dream coat today, it was by Michael Kors, surprisingly $230 dollars. It had the huge collar, it was white, and 100% down-filled. Elegant, yet functional.
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Try Esprit. The puffy coats aren’t bulky but the 50%/%0% feather/down keeps it light and warm. None of the coats are over $199.50 CDN. And I believe they are also having a 30% off outwear sale right now — well the ones in Ontario are, not so sure about QC.
@AK Thanks for the reco on the Esprit coats but I really didn’t want a puffy coat.. 🙁
I love the pink one from J Crew. But the cream one is so beautiful and unique….
.-= Lawgirl´s last blog ..RBoC Television, Take Two =-.
I am absolutely, 100 percent in LOVE with the grey Smart Set coat. LOVE LOVE LOVE. Get it get it get it.
Great post!!! I love these jackets. My favorite is the gray jacket with the asymmetrical line. How fab, but my second is the blue jacket what a beautiful color. 🙂
.-= Stephanie ´s last blog ..Ashley Tisdale: All Grown Up =-.
Have you checked out ebay? Also, sometimes small boutiques have some great coats you don’t find everywhere.
.-= Imogen Lamport´s last blog ..How to Choose a Flattering Coat Length =-.
Ugh, I love that $600 coat. Not fair.
I just paid $149 for my darling white winter coat. It’s my first really good coat and I *love* it to pieces, I’m definitely going to be wearing it for years.
Only drawbacks — It’s heavy cotton, not wool, but where I live now it’ll be fine. (Also, where we’re hoping to end up in the next few years will work well with it too.) It’s white, and dry clean only… I think I’ll be getting it cleaned at least once a year.
No hood on mine either, but if you wear a nice hoodie underneath the coat you can use that hood instead. Or buy a cute winter hat. (I’ve had the same hat for years and it’s so nice and cozy warm!) It’s got the nice, tall collar, so my neck is never cold! Plus I love the big black buttons.
Happy shopping for yours, and good luck! 🙂 I’m waiting for the cooler weather to return so I can wear mine some more.
.-= Foxie´s last blog ..Does this make me look ricey? =-.
@Foxie: Cotton won’t work in this weather 🙁 I tried last year, and I had to wear 50 layers to keep warm.
That’s a good idea about that hoodie!! But I really do hate hats. I wear earmuffs instead.
I can’t say where to find one in Montreal for cheap but I have a J Crew jacket (with thinsulate) in it and would definitely recommend it if you can’t find one that is less expensive. I’ve worn it in Montreal in January and it was certainly warm enough. I’ve also had it for 5 or 6 years and it’s still in great shape so their jackets will last quite a long time.
A huge thick scarf could take the place of the collar you are looking for. Then you could take it off or use a thinner one on the warmer days. It’s what I do, on cold windy days I have a huge knitted scarf my sister made me and on warmer days or sunny ones I have a cashmere scarf I use instead.
Good luck 🙂
@jc: You are making me want to buy this J. Crew jacket with Thinsulate. I am intrigued by this additional layer…
I miss Montreal–used to live in upstate NY and visited Montreal as often as I could. But where I live near San Francisco is pretty nice too. I vote for the pink coat because it’s gorgeous. Why not add a scarf and hat. You could always pull the scarf up around your head if the weather is hideously cold/wet. The hood idea is great but it will feel like heavy baggage when you don’t need it.
.-= Susan Tiner´s last blog ..Financial Organizing Soap Opera Episode #1 =-.
ps. that cream coat pictured is to die for.
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..Caving? No! =-.
Thrift shops or consignment stores are a great idea for a good coat, or even flea markets. One of my best, most favourite coats is from the Bondi Markets in Sydney. The coat is tweed, very heavy for freezing days. I bought it for $50 and I’ve had it for 6 years. It has been my favourite coat for years – it has a lovely vintage look to it.
I also scored a Guess suede coat with fur fringe all the way around it for $50 from a consignment store last summer. Its been sitting in my closet waiting to be worn. Those coats retail for more than $250. Score!
I think you can find something more unique (and with a better price tag!) when second hand.
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..Caving? No! =-.
Oh no! I was just thinking last night that I got rid of something in my de-cluttering that I should have kept. Oh well. It’s on the shelves at the Goodwill by now.
I really like the Smart Set coat in gray or the first coat, the pink one from J. Crew. It just looks like a fun coat.
This post is making me long for a new winter coat. I’ve never had a long coat. Hmm… Maybe this calls for a trip to the mall.
.-= Katie C.´s last blog ..Monday Metaphysical Angst =-.
@Katie I will probably go for the Smart Set coat first, just to try it out. At least it isn’t black (my #1 rule)… 🙂 Maybe I can pin brooches all over it.. LOL