So my Didrikson Taylor has arrived but.........

[wrenster]

I'm not sure it really is that warm?

Essentially. Love the coat, nice fit, gorgeous fur lining on the hood but I thought it would be snugly and that I'd be boiling indoors with it on. But I'm not. It's more like a ski jacket material which I wasn't expecting. The website said it had the warmest rating.

So the question is to anyone that owns a Didrikson - is it actually that warm in freezing weather? I don't want to wear it outside with labels off etc as I'm thinking I might want to return it and obviously it isn't freezing a the moment.

Would I be warmer in a down filled coat?

It's a lot of money so I want to be sure it will do its job!

Thanks

[Laquila]

Ooh Wrenster I just started a thread yesterday about the Taylor vs Lindsey vs Thelma vs Tilde - I was worried that the first two might be too warm!

I was expecting it to be parka-type material but it sounds a bit stiffer, is that right? Do you mind me asking where you found the best price?

[ShirleySharpeyes]

I love my Didriksons - not the same sort of snuggly as a down coat - but brilliant when it's raining and cold (which it seems to do more often than be cold and bright) and equally good in the snow. I won't be parted it from it. Keep it. I really don't think you'll regret it!

[frumpypigskin]

I find my Didrikson coat brilliant for a rainy school run. It is warm but if I was standing about it the freezing cold i.e. football matches / fireworks night it would be the North Face coat every time.

[Laquila]

Shirley do you mind me asking what size Taylor you got and what your usual UK size is? I've seen both the 38 and the 40 listed as a 12 (I'd assume 40).

[ShirleySharpeyes]

Hello - I have a Taylor in a 40, I am a size 12 on top and 14 on bottom, and I'm 6' tall, with very unimpressive norks. It's roomy on me - but then I like being able to layer up underneath (I can fit at least one big jumper underneath without feeling like I can't move). I spend a lot of my time in the remote wilds of the Westcountry for work - so the need for practical comfort outweighs having to look smart! Hope that helps.

[PatoBanton]

The sizing has apparently changed this year.

I got mine in the summer though, and I think it's the old sizing as it is enormous - I'm a 10-12 with huge boobs because of BF and I managed to get a 36 (8) by mistake and it is plenty big enough, with jumpers under too.

I find it very warm, but I haven't tried a North Face one or anything.

[48th]

I think down is better I like marmot chelsea is lasting well and keeps me snug.

[PatoBanton]

Just be aware that down isn't always ethically sourced..live plucking etc

M&S guarantee their supply chain but afaik no one else does

[marfisa]

I chose the Didrikson partly because I'm allergic to down and so I wanted non-down padding.

The coat seems very warm to me but I haven't tested it in freezing weather yet.

[marfisa]

About sizing, a 38 fits me perfectly and I am UK 12-14 and 5'4'' tall.

[wrenster]

Thanks very much everyone.

Laquila - I got mine from Laws of kirkcubright for £150 which was the cheapest I found.

Mine is a size 6 (34) and there is plenty of room everywhere (though I have no boobs and bottom!)

Still undecided, well actually I'd like another down filled one too but not sure I can find another spare £150!

[48th]

Marmot don't live pluck at all, all ethically sourced from birds killed for meat.

[cardamomginger]

This explains the whole Didrikson weather/heat rating (although it's not simple!):

www.didriksons.com/article.asp?c=1&articleId=0&typeId=-1&usageId=-1&systemId=-1&sizeId=-1&search=&imageId=0&retailerCity=&cmd=guide&aTabIndex=1&mTabIndex=stormsystem

[FaddyPeony]

I have a Cathlyn size 34, have owned it for a year now. Never been even slightly chill in it. Love it.

[PatoBanton]

You can always put on another jumper if you get the right size. I think I'd prefer something fully waterproof to something very warm but that lets in the rain.

It's so hard to find a waterproof coat. Wet elbows are something I can't bear.

(yes, Barbour jacket, I am looking at you!)

[Laquila]

Hmm sounds as though I might need a 38 (12-14 with 36E boobs, 5'7"ish). If by some miracle anyone with those exact measurements who owns a Taylor is reading, please let me know what size you have!

Peony do you mind me asking what UK size you are? Thank you all

[FaddyPeony]

UK size 8 here. The coat is neat but not tight on me. I can layer up beneath it but so far haven't needed to as I get really warm walking. Would be interested to see how it stands up to a very cold winter - last year wasn't too bad where I am.

[marfisa]

Laquila, I also suspect you should go for a 38. Your bust size is a bit bigger than mine and you are taller, but I'm also a 12-14 (as I said above) and the coat feels roomy rather than fitted.

[marfisa]

I do have a Veronica rather than a Taylor (oops, didn't notice before I posted that you asked about that specific coat) but the sizing is probably similar.

[Laquila]

Just wanted to update in case it's useful for anyone else - my Taylor has arrived (dark green, size 12/40) and I'm completely obsessed with it! I think I've worn it every day since, and I can tell I'll get my money's worth. I paid £175 at outdoorworlddirect.co.uk and they delivered within two days.

The sizing is fine for me (a 5"8' UK size 12 with 36D/E boobs) - I'd fit a thickish jumper underneath but anything too chunky and it would strain over the boobs. The sleeves are on the longish/baggyish side, but not so much that it puts me off. It's super waterproof and lovely and warm, but still very breathable - I haven't been getting hot and bothered in it, and it's not even been proper proper cold yet. The hood is plenty roomy and there are lot of nice big pockets, including ones over the boobs (is this a scandi thing?!) which are handy for helping keep your nips warm if you have Raynaud's in them! The fabric is lovely and matte - almost moleskin-y/canvas, and th dark green is a nice warm khaki.

A nice lady at Vikingkids confirmed to me that the sizing has been improved/normalised for the 2013 styles - she said that up until last year she'd have recommended I get a size 38 but thought the 40 would be ideal for me now (she was bang on).

If you're dithering then I'd say go for it, especially if you have a buggy to push/live in the freezing cold arse end of nowhere/have the kind of hair that goes Diana Ross-like in the merest hint of drizzle (or all three of these...)

[bexbideford]

Hi, how are you getting on with the Taylors? Did it keep you warm this month when it was freezing?

I am very tempted to get the blue one, love the back, but the only thing putting me off is the lack of hand warmer pockets. I am rubbish at remembering to bring gloves with me. Are the big front pockets lined to keep your hands warm? They look a bit awkward to put your hands into.

[maiami0302]

For the last 2 months, I have read all possible topics about jackets for cold weather that are also waterproof and finally decided to go for Didriksons TAYLOR jacket. I wanted something that looks nice and not bulky but does the job.
I hope this will help somebody in buying as some information here helped me a lot.
I needed it for Finland winter, so we're yet to see how will it work in -20 :D but until now I can say that I am completely satisfied with the jacket. So far it has been -5C the coldest and I have not been cold. Actually, when I tried it on inside, after 30 seconds I was sooooo hot that I needed to open the windows :) I can conclude that the jacket keeps body temperature quite well.
I am 173cm tall and weigh 63 kilograms. I am UK10 up and UK12 bottoms (small boobs, but curvy hips). Ordered 38 and it fits great! Not too tight nor too loose. I tried 36 in the store which was tight (which I love) and could work (although in that case I couldn't go for layering) and tried 40 as well which was too big so in the end got 38 which is tight enough since you can adjust the waist to get a more feminine look and you also do 1 or 2 layers underneath.
The hood is also adjustable so don't worry if it "eats" your neck, you probably only need to adjust it.
I keep my hands in the pockets (the big ones, which are not padded so it is not very warm without gloves but the pockets on the breast are padded with microfibre and are much warmer).
I got it for 155GBP from Laws of Kirkcudbright that somebody here mentioned and it arrived to Finland in 5 days.
Wish you all happy shopping ;)