DC winter coats - when and where to buy?

[suntodayplease]

I know its still summer but my inbox is filling up with autumn/winter new arrivals! Where and when do you buy your DCs winter coat? In looking for a coat for DD who turns 3 in December so I'm always torn between buying a coat that fits straight away 2-3 or buying 3-4 and having sleeves rolled up until March/April! Recommendations appreciated.
Many thanks

Lands end. I bought mine after Christmas sales but probably some still in clearance now. Great quality and most have ability to extend arm length so they last and last.

Yes lands end. Fab quality. I brought dd1 sine clothing and highly impressed. We've just ordered the school coat.

Aldi had some in when I was in there yesterday. They had one style for girls and one for.boys I think..The girls one was padded and it was pink.

Gap - I always get the "warmest coat" for my 2- they're down filled, and usually they have a hefty discount in September.
Last year, however, they did not have the down filled ones in the UK... and then we had the coldest, longest winter in flipping years!
Thankfully my DS' still fit from the previous year

Usually Next or Marks. Decent quality at reasonable prices.

Trespass -

waterproof
padded
non-padded
fleeces
3-in-1

My DS won't wear a padded coat but needs a waterproof for school .
DD was hankering after a NorthFace but I bought her a Trespass and she's
No idea why she wanted NorthFace, she's not that label orientated.

They do come up smallish but brilliant bargains on their website and outlets.

And the factory was in Glasgow- where they know a bit about rain

Are you all buying hip length or thigh-knee length? DD starting reception this year and I have no idea what should be looking at.

Mine just got new Boden anoraks. They've just turned 5 and we bought 5-6 because the next size up would have been unwearably big. They wore their 3-4 Boden anoraks for two winters although DT1's was a tad small by February!

I have always bought the JoJo Maman waterproof, fleece lined one. Very warm and good quality. I would definitely buy 3-4. You will probably get most of the following winter out of it too. My dd is 3 in December too and quite tall. I got her a 12-18month one the December she turned 1, and she wore it all last winter too.

Also mini boden do nice fleece lined jackets.

I did buy her a nice cord coat last winter too for smarter wear and she maybe wore it twice. The jacket was much more useful. She has the matching waterproof trousers. (Still fits the 12-18 month ones!) for very wet days.

Notfootball - I wouldn't but knee length as will get in the way running in playground or climbing on equipment. One that covers the bottom is handy. Warm and waterproof

Mine usually have a few.

• One lightweight pacamac (Tesco sold them in school colours last year for a few pounds, or JoJo sell them too).

• One Hatley-style raincoat, rubber-type outside and thin fleece lining. I got new ones in TK Maxx in the spring for next winter, for about £12-15.

• One fleecy zip-up jacket for cold-but-dry days (I bought the school one).

• One thick padded coat for the depths of winter. Last year I got them from M&S but the quality wasn't great and zips and buttons broke. I have bought new ones for next winter from the Boden and Joules eBay outlets, which I think I bought in March or April.

Polarn O Pyret coats and fleeces are excellent quality and last multiple winters but are so expensive.

I buy DD's winter coat around October time from Boden (although I usually buy DD a fabulously OTT coat to wear over the festive period too- the more Dr Zhivago the better) and a spring mac from Boden in early March. Boden are great quality and very true to size .

Thanks clouds!

I second Trespass. They are properly waterproof and warm. I got dd's in Costco and then ds's from their website.

Used to be Debenhams towards end of summer but now Next as i like a decent parker style coat with a fur hood. Needs to cover the bottom in rain and snow and protect the ears from wind as we are high up.

Also have a school fleece and a mack for those autumn days where its qute warm and a couple of decent ones for non school days.

I'd definitely go for 3-4, although my DS is going to be one of those children in the playground with giant school uniform that he is going to grow into.

I have bought the Boden ones, but usually get them 1/2 price at some point during the discounting process, so for about £20. I have also bought DS catimini at a big discount via Ebay and he loved it (in a bigger size, they come up small).

DD 18m is going to be wearing a Boden lined anorak I picked up in a sale for £15, if it gets very cold she can wear her brother's old padded jacket, it's in great nick. She also has the option of some Jojo polarfleece.

I agree re short enough to run in but long enough to cover bottom. Waterproof is vital. I love dressing DD up but I don't plan to buy her a smart wool coat until she is a lot older. Oh but she has got a rather glam fleecy/ fake fur number that will do nicely for winter parties, but is washable.

I've also gone over to Trespass ski jackets (DC are school age). We don't ski! They are waterproof AND warm, rather than being one or the other. Also come in bright cheerful colours. There are always some in the sale.

After today's weather I don't know why shops even sell non-waterproof coats for children!

H&M
I got dd and ds their ski jackets. They're fab! :)
Totally waterproof, toasty warm, detachable hoods, the gem dips around the bottom to keep them warm and they have those sleeve/ fingerless glove things. I don't think I spent much more than £50 of the 2 as there were discount codes about. :)
Shame H&M online shopping is such a pain in the ass if something goes wrong.

Debenhams or John Lewis usually. I buy good quality for DD1 and pass it down to DD2.

I got DDs in last years Boden sale for £15

John Lewis often good too