Ok, where is the brilliant 'Warm and waterproof coat' thread from last year? I need another one.

[CuttedUpPear]

I bought an amazing coat by Didriksons last year on the advice of a MNetter here who worked in the industry. She gave the BEST advice but I can't find the thread now. Basically she explained how warm AND waterproof is a hard combination to come by because we're the only country with such a wet and cold climate and no one designs for us. Nice.

I bought the coat for DS but ended up wearing it myself, now I need to buy him one of his own before he gets soaked to the skin!

I got it in charcoal from different site, and it's really warm and dry...

I have the Boden waterproof mac with detachable hood.I wore it yesterday in horrendous weather as I was getting my hair done.The hood is brilliant comes right over and the fleece lining and fleece lined pockets made sure I was warm and dry. I love it

Yay!!!

Wish I had never seen this thread :( I ordered a Barbour Nation down jacket, which is really nice, but now fancy a Didrikson or Merell - can't decide...

didriksons taylor for £159 & free delivery. Never used them before though...

Longtalljosie - it's the Naomi I've got my eye on; please let me know all about it when it arrives please? I'm 5'11" - so am particularly interested to hear about sleeve length. Ta

I was in TK Maxx today and couldn't bring myself to look closely at the HUGE array of coats they had there - rails of parka style coats with fur hoods. Now I'm thinking I've got a coat that's too common (in style). They're everywhere!!! Every shop you go into seems to have them in one form or another. Oh well, i needed a practical coat that keeps me warm and dry when dog walking and it certainly does that!!

well, my didriksons taylor arrived & i've just been trying it on upstairs. So to report:-

1. Sizing: I am normally a size 10 (sometimes 12 on bottom) but I'd already tried on a Lindsey in an 8 so I got a size 6 (34), and amazingly it fits. There is still plenty of room in the sleeves and shoulder area, bottom area is snug but not tight or restricted (i.e. it doesn't look like I should have gone for a size bigger & my arse isn't bursting out of it)

2. Hood is MASSIVE, hilariously so. DD was laughing, but it will keep the rain off. Have taken fur off because it looks too snowy with it on, will probably reattach when weather gets colder.

3. Sleeves are long but not ridiculously long - am 5ft 3.

4. Length on me is above the knee but lower than mid thigh. Slightly longer at the back

5. Colour - dark green is a lovely colour, very dark (thought it was black in the packaging) & not khaki

It definitely not in the same style as a Merrell in that I do feel it still has a slight mountain jacket feel, but all in all I am happy and am going to keep it (will just get a quick second opinion from DH later)

Do you prefer it to the Lindsey? I am still swithering and sound a similar shape and height to you.

notsosqueakyclean i ventured out into the big wide world of shopping and I was shocked how many big padded parker style coats there were - Zara alone had about 8 different styles & types, so now I'm thinking about my barbour, agile purchase a bit more as maybe if these are just a fashion I should just got for the cheap and cheerful option from Zara??

I do agree there are a lot of them about which is why I was considering the black in the Taylor. As it turns out the dark green is nice & the fur comes off so when parkas are out of fashion it will still be ok as a warm wintery coat minus fur. By spending all that money I was hoping it would be a coat that would last for years so didn't want something too fashionable.

piemistress yes I do prefer it to a Lindsey although admittedly the Lindsey didnt fit properly as was too big. 1) it's matt - the lindsey did have a bit of a sheen to it, 2) it's more waterproof 3) it's less mod-parkaey i.e. not so much of a fishtail at the back which would go out of fashion - I did wear them first time round

That's interesting accessories - I much prefer the Lindsey! The dovetail shape at the back is precisely what makes it so flattering/slimming (I've lost count of how many people have asked me if I've lost weight when wearing my Celeste which has the same shape - I wish!!!) plus it's handy when the weather gets really cold. My Celeste kept my bum nice and warm last year, especially getting into the car on school run mornings!

Also I really don't like that weird elastic fastening on top of the Taylor - I haven't seen one IRL but it looks odd, or is that just me? Also, I'd be worried that it might snap over time? And those big pockets would make my hips look huge - I think the slanted ones on the Lindsey work better. But that's just me - maybe I'm too worried about my bum/hips - I'm a definite pear shape

hmmm am now getting paranoid that the taylor makes me hips look big! It's definitely not a slimming coat.

how funny it's the elastic fastening on top of the taylor that drew me to it in the first place, I like it, thought it was a bit different

Looking back I think what I thought looked weird (on me) with the Lindsey is that the top bit was so big and roomy then the bottom was more fitting/slimming? that it just looked wrong

What size of Lindsey did you order? Didriksons should do a road show round the uk so we can try on all the jackets!

I originally ordered a size 8 (36) Lindsey, was too big, so ordered a 34 in the Taylor from a different shop

yes they should, would make our lives so much easier! and I'm sure they'd sell a lot of stuff too

Update on the Cathlyn -

Deliberately and entirely voluntarily headed out for a walk in the chucking rain this evening. I'm happy to report I was entirely dry and warm despite a proper Yorkshire deluge. HOWEVER I am not happy to report that the outer pocket of the coat quickly became waterlogged, necessitating an iPhone rescue and relocation to an inner pocket. Now, this is all down to my stupidity, because why would a zipped pocket with no rain flap keep dry? Duh.

So in case there is anyone as daft as me on this thread. Don't assume your outer pockets are waterproof

Otherwise, I am a very happy bunny.

Further to other posts I don't find the hood on the Cathlyn to be very big...

Now....... I have dry torso & bum; dry feet thanks to new Wellies, but what do I do about my knees!

Knees are a problem.

saythatagain my Naomi has arrived and you have nothing to worry about with the sleeves. I'm 5'11" too and the fabric cuff comes down to the first joint in my thumb.

Longtalljosie - thank you do much for telling me that.
If I may ask - sizing? I'm a 14/12 (in that order; with more emphasis on the 14!). After reading other posts, I'm veering towards a 38 but don't want to go the Michellin Man route IYKWIM! Thanks......again!

So nice to have company in the great coat quest! I ordered a Naomi but had to send it back - too long in the arms, sadly, and probably a bit too warm for most days in London. It was beautiful tho. I'm now on a slightly hopeless hunt for an uninsulated Wakefield - I know they've been discontinued, but TK Maxx in Brixton has, as of this afternoon, a small and a large in black; nip over and grab one if you're local and looking too! £79, but I need an XL. Does anyone have any feedback on the Ellenwood? Could be an alternative!

sarimillie I did find myself wondering if it would be too long in the arm for people who aren't 5'11"!

saythatagain - my advice would be to go down one size from whatever your bum and hips are - as it's, well, not snug exactly, but it doesn't flare from the waist at all. That said, I'm more of a size 13 at the moment as I've got a few extra pounds of baby weight on me, and the 38/10 is fine. But I'd say I'm more of a 12 than a 14 - and I wouldn't have got away with ordering an 8 I don't think.

Its the elastic bit at the top that I like about the Taylor too!

I orginally ordered the 38 and although it sort of fitted, it was really roomy on top and therefore seriously unflattering. I then ordered a 36 and thats much much better.

Gonna send the 38 back. It was £20 more than the 36 anyway! Win win!

definitely keeping the Taylor, pulled the elastic in at the back and it looks much better. DH likes it and says it's nice because it's fitted, and that was unprompted so am happy with that! Tried it out in the (not heavy but constant) rain today and the rain just rolled off it. I was boiling hot though, and am annoyed because I was so sweaty there was a bit of a sweat mark in the armpit so have had to wash the pits with soapy water in case it starts smelling . I was only wearing a t-shirt underneath!