If you are OVER 5'7", where have you got a good longish waterproof warm coat?

[Proon]

I realise this has been done before and there was some success last year in persuading companies that such a thing would sell.

However I've just had my usual utterly rage-inducing visit to my local (very good) outdoor shop, where I was told that a warm, waterproof coat that was also long was 'doing a different job to what we sell'. What, doing a different job to keeping people warm and dry? I was shown jackets that are a bit longer than sit-on-your-bum style, hillwalking jackets which are warm and dry but basically awful, etc. And the man wouldn't stop talking.

What's around this year, have you bought anything good, or are we still at the stage where yes there are a few coats that fit shorter people fine, sell out in a week, and we have to look to Denmark for imports?

If anyone from a likely company reads this, please let me be clear: I WILL PAY MONEY FOR A LONGLINE WATERPROOF WARM COAT THAT FITS ME AND LOOKS EVEN JUST OK but I cannot find one

[reallygrumpy]

Thanks for the feedback Parasaurolophus - I'd looked at the Elly but I think I prefer the Celeste although I haven't managed to try it on, I'm just going to order it and send it back if I don't like it.

Has anyone tried on the Celeste and what's the fit like?

[shineypenny]

Drizabone?

[TracyK]

I found the Celeste a little bit tighter on the bust - maybe because of the padding? And for that reason I didn't get it - but I'm sure there is another padded option - will go back to the shop and get the name of it and remind myself of the fittings. Will report back.

[FrumpyPumpy]

First link attempt but how about this?

aigle

[FrumpyPumpy]

Yey!

[mnistooaddictive]

I have craghoppers haddenbury which I love! Very warm and cosy here

[therugratref]

I have just got the Arctic Parker from North Face-its not stylish but I did stylish last lear and froze on the edge of the rugby pitch. Its certainly toasty

[duende]

I have bought the didrikson elly from astrid's adventures. I have to say the service was brilliant- jacket delivered next day and Heidi replied to emails straight away. I can really recommend :)

The coat is very nice - I have no doubt it will keep me warm and dry. It is a bit less fitted than I expected. I am size 8 and bought size 8. it fits. The only thing I'd say is that the sleeves seem really long. I am 5'7 and don't usually have this problem.
I am looking forward to the temperature dropping a bit so that I can try it out :)

[Emo76]

My black Celeste has arrived and I really like it. Am 5 ft 9 and size 14, have a size 40, seems to fit well with room for movement. Thanks for the suggestion!

[tothesea]

Does anyone know what the difference between the Didrikson Elly and the Isabelle - they look so similar but the Elly is dearer. I have the Celeste but I really don't like the fishtail thingy so it is going back. Also I would say you would have to a fleece underneath to be cosy in really cold weather.

[duende]

I think the main difference is that Isabelle is shorter. I haven't seen it in flesh, just judging by the photos...

[Prolesworth]

The Isabelle dips down at the back so that the back is several inches longer than the front - does the Elly go straight across?

[tothesea]

They both say 3/4 body length though... is the coat guru drowing in laundry still about?

[tothesea]

Oh no - Prolesworth like the fish tail thingy bugger... could get Isabelle for £100

[Prolesworth]

It's nowhere near as pronounced as the Celeste fishtail though: the back curves down, so it's mid-thigh at the front and just above the knee at the back.

Another thing about the Isabelle is that it's breathable whereas the Elly isn't, iirc

[tothesea]

I see..thanks for info ... not sure what to do now ... Isabelle seems better option but is cheaper so must be something not quite so good at about it hmmm reeeallly wish could try all these jackets on instead of buying on-line

[nobodysfool]

tothesea - where can you find it for £100?Im clearly not great at searching online.

[Prolesworth]

Check out the coat specs on the Didriksons website so you can compare them?

Shame they don't have better/more photos, but all the features are listed for each coat on there.

[drowninginlaundry]

Ladies, the Isabelle and Elly and Celeste all have the same specs, so just choose a cut that you like. Isabelle is a shorter version of the Elly but with bellows pockets (can't give you exact measurements now to compare as I'm still waiting for the damn things). You always pay more for a longer coat - simple issue of more material, more seams to be taped, longer zips etc and details. Same outer layer, same amount of insulation. The outer layer in all is a breathable 2-layer waterproof shell. Obviously because of the padding it won't breathe like a shell jacket would, but because of the length it is not a coat that you would use for skiing, for example, so this is not an issue.

Lots of people have been wondering if these coats actually will be warm, because it feels thin and light. This is thanks to modern polyester fibres - down creates volume, whereas polyester fibres (material in the Didrikson coat padding) insulates well without taking much space and so can be compressed into a thinner coat.

[Conundrumish]

this was the other thread

[Conundrumish]

and this website is good

[tothesea]

It was on the Outdoor Action website nobodysfool and I swear it was £100 but now showing as £124.95 godammit! (no linky as BF)

[tothesea]

Oh and thanks for info drowning, I think I am going to stick with Celeste as getting fed up going round in circles with coat choosing!

[Prolesworth]

drowning - I've got a stupid question for you: the Isabelle (which my mum has) has adjuster cords inside the patch pockets on the front with a loop on the end. We can't work out what the eff they're for Any ideas?

[drowninginlaundry]

Hiya Prolesworth, I finally got the Isabelles in as well, so I have the Elly, Celeste and Isabelle all in if anyone wants any measurements.
The drawcord inside the pocket is very clever, you can adjust the hem by pulling the cord inside the pocket, rather than faffing with it next to the zipper. By tightening the hem you'll add more warmth as air warmed by your body heat stays trapped inside the coat.
I am 175cm and the Isabelle is about 6 inches below crotch in the front, and lower at the back, mid thigh. A lovely jacket, very nicely cut, slim fitting.