Is it too early to talk about very warm, very dry winter coats?

[NoseyNooNoo]

The school drop off and pick up was hell last winter. I was constantly wet and cold - I remember my back being particularly cold and I want to be better prepared this year.

So, I want a long coat, preferably below the knee that is warm and waterproof. I have no idea what is fashionable this year but would like to not look like a sack of potatoes if at all possible.

Is it too early to be thinking about such coats?

It is far too early.

Go away and come back in September.

I brought a Merrell Haven coat on recommendations on here last year and kept me 100% dry and very toasty in december when the temperture was -15 :0) and its not to early to be thinking of the cold weather we have to come.

Get to Lands End. They do a huge range, and classify by just how warm they are.

Ewww at Lands End stuff plenty of nice coats out there that are more on Style someone will be along with some links soon. There was a HUGE thread last year on this very subject.

Search a thread that wilfshelf set up last year which was called something like Warm, bum covering, properly waterproof coats. I bought a merrelk coat from there from a shop called Shop on the Beach that actually ordered in tons of coats from the US as there was so much MN demand! Good luck and I sympathise re cold back!!

Did she not get a coat for free because of that thread?

Nope, but she did get some nice boots.

So far you've named a few brands I haven't heard of so that's a start. Is it unrealistic to be hoping to find a calf length coat or is that just impractical?

Merrell is a good outdoors type brand although I really don't like the coat mentioned abot. I HATE duffle coats"!

Hmm, having taken a look at the Haven it looks a bit short and I imagine the rain/sleet lashing against my trousers.

I realise how ridiculous it is to be talking about sleet in July but it really was hell this year going to and from school and I want to make sure that I am well prepared as soon as the AW ranges come into stock.

I am getting ready early. The snow that hit us mid November and lasted for months left us SO unprepared. Never again!

I've been looking at snow boots!

I bought some snow boots in the January sales this year.

That pretty much guarantees we won't have snow for the next 20 years.

I'm craving one of the new style Barbour puffas but they're only normally mid thigh length at most.

Trespass are a good make as well; my DS stays really warm and dry in his Trespass coat but I'm still cross that the only long length women's coat of theirs I could find in the outlet mall last year was extra extra small.

Craghoppers do a fab calf length coat. www.trekwear.co.uk/s/craghoppers-ladies-haddenbury-jacket/5848/Product.aspx
I wore mine constantly over last winter and am seriously thinking of buying another to put away for the future.
It amazes me that there is such a limited range of stylish sensible coats when our weather is so changeable.
I am looking for a waterproof summer coat that doesn't make me look as though I am off up a mountain. As I wear long sweeping skirts and cultivate a vaguely hippy look the addition of a red hiking jacket does nothing to enhance my appearance. I suppose I could weave something.......
I saw a fab Merrell coat last week but my boobs would not fit in it.
www.merrell.com/US/en-US/Product.mvc.aspx/22950W/0/Womens/Brunswick?dimensions=0

they are all so fucking ugly.

I would rather wear my army-issue parka for the umpteenth year running.

I have that craghoppers one earthymama linked to. I also have a Landsend stadium squall. I have a wool coat from M&S which I bought at the beginning of the cold spell, and wore with a cashmere beret. At the height of the freeze I wore and old Hobbs puffa jacket under the stadium squall, and jeggings under my skinnies. And brilliant snow boots that I absolutely love.

Yes it's too early!

I survived last winter because of my North face Arctic Parka, it cost more than I've ever spent on an item of clothing, but it is so worth it. The ivory version is lovely, but I know what a grubby beast I am, so went for the boring brown version. It's warm, like wearing a duvet, but not sweaty, it's waterproof and down filled, but can be flung in the washing machine. I love it.

www.thenorthface.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=162779&storeId=207&catalogId=10201&langId=-1&from=subCat&parent_category_rn=11719&variationId=67B

Thanks for the tips so far. I live on the outskirts of London. Are there any particular stores in central London that might be good for trying on a large number of coats in one session - I'm determined to get it right this time!

SO I've decided to go for North Face or Merrell. Neither are very stylish but I'd rather be toasty than stylish! I just need to keep an eye out for the new stock to come in.

Me again :) the Haven does look a lovely on I was not sure when I unpacked it. I got loads of nice compliments and a young girl at work went and brought one who is 20 years younger than me I am 40. My other coat is the North Face boulevard which is more classy with no hood it has a detachable fur around the neck which I removed. Both coats come to my knees I am a only 4ft 10. One day I was out in torrentail rain in my haven waiting for buses ect and I was completly dry apart from the very bottom of my trousers. I was toasty warm in the playground during the very cold winter we had last year too. Both of these coats were worth the money and will last me years :) I was so pleased with my Haven I got DH the mans version too

I have the Haven, it has been brilliant over two very severe Scottish winters. It might be a bit dull (if you only care about fashion you need to live in your car in winter up here). I was walking 2 miles on the school run and waiting 30 mins between dc getting out of school - the Haven meant I was at least always warm and dry from the knees up.

I actually like the army surplus parkas butn they don't look very waterproof? Anyone know different?

I imagine that my feet would get sweaty/smelly in snow boots - is this right?