I am so toasty in my new North Face arctic parka

[aquavit]

...having followed the waterproof and bumcovering thread every autumn since its inception I have finally accepted that my ancient waxed jacket has had it and splurged on a North Face arctic parka

which I got in impractical glamorous off white FOR £149 here

ordered yesterday and it arrived today.

Hallelujah. Thought I should share the link as it seems like a bit of a bargain

[proteins]

I love my NF Arctic parka too! I got mine 3 years ago, it's still going strong. It's one of my best purchases, I don't dread the winter freeze anymore. Plus it's waterproof!

Today, I wore my smart wool coat and I really regret it brr

[Jinglebells99]

Well that looks lovely. Is it washable given it's white ? And how are the sizes?

[aquavit]

good to know proteins, I was pretty sure it would be reliable given all the enthusiasm on here. I am giving up on looking smart for feeling WARM

Jinglebells it claims to be washable but since I don't have a tumble dryer I'll be pretty wary of doing it since I can't re-fluff the down. Erm, spot cleaning with babywipes? Have you washed yours proteins?

Sizes - I got L, I'm about a 14 but big shoulders so hate tight coats, and it is pretty roomy (but that is good as I am currently wearing it over base layers plus two jumpers). I checked the NF website for measurements and it seemed pretty accurate

[Thegreatunslept]

It's beautiful and u got a bargain there I have parka envy!

[deraila]

Dammit, its gorgeous and at that price... Pity that I've just bought one, love NF.

[chillychicken]

I LOVE mine. I've got it in brown and it is like wearing a sleeping bag. I've had it two years and it still looks like new. I'm heavily pregnant and can't fit in it at the moment and I'm really missing it! My maternity coat is nowhere near as cosy.

[GreenerthanGrass]

I have in green and love it- on it's 3rd winter and still lovely as ever

[toptrumps1]

I don't have a tumble dryer, so got it machine washed at the dry cleaners this year, it cost £15. Considering its about to enter its fourth winter and still looks like new, I was happy to pay that. Mine is black though, I would expect a white one to need cleaning more, but I still don't think its bad to keep it looking its best.

[Bakeoffcakes]

Everyone should have one IMO. We need them in this country.

I love mine very much.

[redredread]

I got mine last winter, in green, and love it. It's like a gorgeously portable duvet, and it's kept me warm and dry in some really hideous weather.

[mirpuppet]

Question for those who have the coat.

Is it heavy?

I think I have been spoiled by the ultra light weight down from places like Uniqlo.

[Wolfiefan]

Bought a Marmot Chelsea from Go Outdoors today. First time I've been properly warm on the school run!

[leedy]

I got one this year and absolutely love it as well. SO. COSY. Also got an L as a big-shouldered 14.

[leedy]

It's not particularly heavy, no. Not as light as a purely down jacket (I have a down North Face coat as well and it's definitely lighter), but doesn't feel like you're heaving it on or anything.

[Scrumbled]

I ended up with this one
www.millets.co.uk/womens/062786-peter-storm-phillipa-womens-down-jacket.html

Vey warm

[Gumnast2014]

My brown one looks like new 3 years later. Best money ever spent
Just chuck it in the wash when it needs it and leave it to dry and it's always been fine

[Paddingtonthebear]

Really want the NF Arctic Parka, but too expensive

That Peter Storm coat looks like a contender

[Oly4]

I adore my north face Arctic parka. Got it online for £200. Worth every penny. It's so cost and I love the warmth of the hoods. It's not heavy

[Oly4]

Cosy.. Not cost!

[DiscoDancer]

Would this suit someone who is a bit curvy on the hips? Normally a size 12-14 but after a bad month am now def a 14 really love the look of this coat and have seen a few on eBay

[proteins]

Hello aquavit

I send mine to be washed but just a normal wash (not dry clean) and then tumble it dry with tennis balls to keep it puffy. I do a bit of spot cleaning with baby wipes too.

It sits well, so it doesn't feel like I'm bearing the weight on my shoulders.

I'm not sure about fit tbh, it seems true to size to me but I am very small.

[leedy]

I'm pretty, er, hippy and it's fine on me - I find some coats are a bit tight around the hip/thigh area when zipped up but North Face ones are usually grand.

[aquavit]

thanks for cleaning tips!

Disco I am hippy too (think at least a size bigger than the rest of me, apart maybe from my shoulders - I'm basically an hourglass but the top is shoulders not boobs ) and mine is fine. It also has the excellent feature of unzipping from the bottom once you've got it done up, so when you sit down you can unzip a little bit at the bottom to keep everything comfortable.

I can report that I was very warm and very dry on the school run this morning

[aquavit]

mirpuppet not particularly heavy but it is nowhere near as light as the uniqlo ultra light down ones - it's not unwieldy though

[mirpuppet]

Thanks for the answers.