Which coat? WARNING! Boring 'performance' coats may feature.

[AmberNectarine]

I've spent about three winters freezing my nips off trying to look cool wearing a leather jacket in the playground. I've now realised I just looked cold and possibly a bit of a wanker. Ergo I need a proper coat.

As a fully paid up member of the HoC cult, I need it to be either a nice berry colour, navy or grey. I will not countenance real fur on it so nice ones like Aigle/Canada Goose/Moncler are out.

So I have seen these two I quite like (as much as it is possible for me to like anything so functional). So which is better? Or are there other, better options?

Lands End (I know)

North Face

[MrsCampbellBlack]

Can't see the lands end one but the north face one looks nice. I have the barbour arctic down parka which is good and belted which would work well on you.

[mysteryfairy]

Was the lands end one petite? My experience of the smallest regular size from lands end is that it is far too wide for a size 10 figure.

[AmberNectarine]

Lands end is the Shimmer Down coat. Sounds bloody awful, but looks ok, I think...

I like the Barbour Artic parka a lot, but it only comes in black and stone, I think - neither of which work terribly well with my casual wardrobe. If only they did it in Navy!

[AmberNectarine]

Really mystery? I'm an 8-10 normally, so maybe I should get the petite - I'm only 5'4, so would probably be ok...

[mysteryfairy]

barbour arctic down in navy

[LittleTulip]

I would choose north face over any other mainstream brand. The north face will be amazing quality and will last you ages.

[MissFoodie]

didrikson

[Abzs]

For navy and berry colours, you should look at Jack Wolfskin. Think their range has changed this year but they usually have two or three that might fit the bill. I would probably choose a Jack Wolf skin over a North Face equivalent.

[Snowlike]

If you are choosing performance and expect the weather where you live to be cold and wet then down alone will not suffice - you will need a waterproof coating of some sort - wet down has little in the way of warming properties. North Face Arctic parka has a breathable waterproof exterior and is down filled, I'm sure there are others but I have the North Face and it works a treat.

[LordPalmerston]

ooh AMEBR

i can help you
i LOVED my shimmer down coat but it was always a little too big and therefore draughty ( I am pro sports watching mum)

[LordPalmerston]

i then got the North face one with a fur hood

I like but think the lands end one LOOKED nicer

[noddyholder]

Didrikson if you can afford. Tried one and looked amazing

[slalomsuki]

Another sports field mum here's s its Lands End down for me all the way. They wash and don't loose their waterproofing unlike the North Face one I had.

[mateysmum]

Definitely size down on Land's End. Their stuff is not fashionable, but you can't knock the quality and the customer service is excellent.

If you order by 4/11, I have a 25% discount code - FF1325

North face one look really warm.

[foxysocks]

I have a barbour one which is amazingly warm. mine is khaki but it probably comes in other colours. it doesn't have a belt - belted coats look horrific on me - and was from harrods last winter so you might be able to go and try on. let me see if I can find a link...

[foxysocks]

here it is - peninsula down parka (pmsl at 'best in the country' ohhhhh if only they knew)

comes in black here

[sedgieloo]

I really like that north face one but came on to recommended the didrikson Taylor it's has one of the higher tog ratings and its completely waterproof.

[AHardDaysWrite]

I have the North Face Arctic parka and it is brilliant. No more cold commuting for me!

[hettie]

What about when it rains?
I'd go didrikson all the way if you can afford it... they have quite a few options this winter

[Deux]

I have a Didriksons Taylor in navy. It's lovely. I haven't tried in cold weather yet as it's still quite mild.

I did wear it to the supermarket run one evening and came home sweating and panting. DH was quite confused by it all.

[pseudonymity]

Kudos to Amber for not buying a real fur trim.

I find that when it's really wet quite often it's not so cold. Perhaps I'm deluded and have forgotten what winter is like but the coldest days are dry to my mind, so perhaps the waterproofing isn't such an issue?

[foxysocks]

i think down filled and waterproof are thin on the ground? at least they were when I was looking a few years ago. I wear a mac/umbrella combo if it's chucking it down and the barbour for clear cold days, of which we have loads.

[Fluffycloudland77]

Whenever I see a well dressed woman in a padded/quilted coat that makes look like she was a figure it's always a Barbour coat they've got on.

[Snowlike]

If I wasn't expecting much rain then I'd buy a heavy wool coat - many more stylish and flattering options available - I only ever feel smug, dry and warm in my arctic parka - never stylish and I don't think anyone else does either.

[foxysocks]

I couldn't wear the artic parka it would look horrific on me but I definitely feel stylish in my peninsula. and think i look pretty good too. it's showerproof but not storm proof.

wool coats are also lovely and I have a gorgeous reiss one but it fits less well with my life right now.