Waterproof bum-covering coats - the short arse edition

[moogdroog]

Ok, I know there's an enormous massive thread, and several splinter threads for tall MNers, but did any similarly short MNers invest in one of the fabled coats?

I'm 5'3'', a size 16 and I need to buy the right coat. Money is tight, but will invest in something to see me through winter and the commute to work once maternity leave ends. Two DC's so going and shopping for a coat a bit tricky.

So, shortie ladies! What did you buy and describe the fit/weight/sizing for me. Pretty please!

Hi - I posted a similar question a while back and had no replies... and I'm still looking for the same thing too! I'm size 8 and 5'4" - many of the coats are just huge and baggy or have big long sleeves.....

So interested to see replies!

There seems to be a serious lack of the elusive coat for us shorties. I have the arctic parka from the North Face ( can't do links on my iPhone) which is really warm and waterproof. I'm 5ft3 and it reaches just above my knees. The extra small is a good fit on me - I'm normally a size 8. It is bulky but not as bad as I thought it might be. I also tried the metropolis but the sizing was huge. Not waterproof either. Good luck with the hunt!

Thought I'd update on sizing as I took the plunge and ordered a Didriksons Thelma II (from eBay at a couldn't resist price!). I'm 5'3'' and a 16 on a good day. Only an 18 was available, so got it anyway.
It fits great! It's not a snuggly warm coat, but I have room for a thickish jumper underneath. Comes to knee length, so no wet legs for me. Arms are a little long (and in any pictures I've seen look ridiculously long), but I'm used to this and quite like it that way (fingers still poke out the ends). I was after a winter-weight coat, but this will see me through all year so I'm happy. Plus, I got it so cheaply I can invest in a warmer coat too.

Arms on waterproof coats should always be a bit long - so that when you stretch your arms you don't end up with exposed wrists.

Glad you found your coat. I'm not a long-coat sort of person but if I wanted one I'd try LandsEnd, they do a lot of their range in petite sizes, if anyone else is still looking. (I'm a Goretex walking coat and trousers type if I really need to be waterproof!)

I got the Craghoppers one recommended on the other thread - I'm 5'4" and it fits well length and sleeve-wise.

I got the Merrell Haven after trawling the Internet for days, I am on my third winter with it, very warm, amazingly waterproof and it is perfect for short added IMHO I am just 5ft, I think it is a medium I have, you don't need tower lots of layers with it either. Haven available in fairly muted colours.

Short arses not added my iPhone doesn't like swearing.

I can't link to my new coat as I can't find it anywhere online, never heard of the make before either, giacomo. Got it in tkmaxx, rrp £199 but I paid £64! Comes to above the knee, and I'm size 16 5ft 3 also. Colour is midnight blue, wasn't particularly looking for that colour, but find it goes with more than black would. Looked on tkmaxx website but it's not even on there. Hood is excellent and stays up even in wind, essential for buggy pushing! Has shape at the waist so it doesn't make me look enormous. Sooo warm.
I ordered the merrell haven as I loved the look of it online but it was soo heavy & bulky & IMO looked like a man's coat, I did order black though. Also thought the material was rough & odd & without me ever even using it, it had lots of fluff stuck to it, was so disappointed and sent it back. Anyway, love my giacomo coat, wish I could link to it for you but maybe worth a trip to your local tkmaxx to see if they have it?

I am a very tiny 4ft 10ins and brought a Merrel Haven in 2010 its fantastic :)

There's some super cheap havens here: www.sheactive.co.uk/catalogue/6759-0036/merrell-haven.html