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Original poster

Would you spend £160 on a new Winter coat?

62 replies

KayHarker · 29/08/2013 19:04

It's an enormous amount to me, but my old coat is threadbare. I need something really weatherproof for doing the school run in the winter, and I've seen one that's like a duvet, right down to my knees, with a good hood on it too. I'm thinking of saving up the pennies and buying it in a couple of months when the cold weather bites, but I'm wondering - is £160 a ridiculous amount to be paying?

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Hello, this thread is a little old now and some of the links are out of date. Take a look at this handy page for a round up of Mumsnetters' favourite winter coats.

OP posts:
noisytoys · 29/08/2013 19:11

I would save a little extra if it is affordable for you and buy a North Face coat they are worth every penny and last years and years.

Mominatrix · 29/08/2013 19:13

I think that the answer to that question will vary on the budget of the person buying the coat. For a good quality, warm, waterproof coat which will last more and a year or two, it would be a good price. Definitely make sure that the coat is warm and waterproof and won't require too much dry-cleaning (says she who purchased a light cream coloured duvet coat and regretted it each time it seemed to magnetically attract stains right after getting cleaned).

gindrinker · 29/08/2013 20:06

Depends. How many years are you planning to wear it?
I spent £100 on my winter coat last year but I'll wear it again this year and prob next year.
I also spent £100 on a goretex waterproof coat which I've had for 3 - 4 years and have no intention of replacing any time soon.

Cost per wear for both will be minimal cost.

Original poster
KayHarker · 29/08/2013 20:18

I bought my current coat for £25 from Dorothy Perkins a few years ago and it definitely needs replacing. Normally I wouldn't dream of spending this much money on something for myself, but have kind of convinced myself it would be an investment purchase as I'd plan to get a good few years out of it.

OP posts:
Allthingspretty · 29/08/2013 20:18

If it will last you a few years then yes

mewkins · 29/08/2013 20:25

Yes. You will wear it almost every day in the winter so it make sense to spend more on coats and boots etc. If it will mean you can't eat for a month then obviously not (tk maxx do good bargains if that's the case). If you love it and it fits the bill it is worth the extra.

BirdyBedtime · 29/08/2013 20:36

Yes. As other posters have said that will get you a decent quality one which should last at least 3 years so I'd go for it ( said she who just ordered a £150 coat this afternoon!!)

Suburban · 29/08/2013 20:37

Yes. Obviously as others said not if you need to out it on a credit card or will have to go without essentials, but being warm and dry is so s worth it.

hermioneweasley · 29/08/2013 20:39

I paid £130 (I think) for a Merrell and it was worth every penny.

LynetteScavo · 29/08/2013 20:39

I bought one for £170 three years ago which was incredibly warm. I hate the cold. It was worth every penny. I do need to have the lining repaired, though, and it will easily last another couple of years.

MooseBeTimeForSnow · 29/08/2013 20:41

I've spent nearly 3 times as much but it has to get me through several months of -20 and lower.

ViviDeBeauvoir · 29/08/2013 20:42

Yes. I was absolutely freezing last year (pregnant and nothing warm fitted).
This year I am investing in snow boots and a lovely warm coat which will last. I walk everywhere as I don't have a car so the way I look at it is, it's cheaper than a car! Wink

VerySmallSqueak · 29/08/2013 20:45

No,no and no.

I would want to kit out the whole family for a quarter of that.

NoComet · 29/08/2013 20:48

If you walk to school then yes. I drive I can getaway with £40, massively reduced skiing anoraks from our outlet shop.

However, you would be incredibly lucky to get a long duvet coat somewhere like that.

My £100+ long Sprayway breathable waterproof is probably 10 tears old and still going strong. OK it's not stylish and it's too long to sit comfortably in the car so I only wear it when it is seriously wet, but it's still doing keeping me dry very well.

DontmindifIdo · 29/08/2013 20:55

That sounds a reasonable amount to spend on a coat you will wear every day for months for several years. OK, if you wear it every day for start November - end January, that's 92 wears. Times that by 4 years, that's 368 wears. So 43p per outing. That seems quite good value - I bet there's few other things in your wardrobe that work out at less than 50p per wear.

(And you will get more wear than that, because if we have a cold October you'll wear it a few times then, a few times in February, I've really gone for the minimum - you could easily get it down to 30p a wear.)

GoldenHares · 29/08/2013 20:59

Yes. If you can.

My winter coat (North Face) cost that some years ago and it's still looks as good as new, keeps me warm and dry even on the coldest and wettest of days.

Suburban · 29/08/2013 21:08

Vivi I use that excuse. DP gets Pirelli car tyres, I get nice boots Grin

Ilovemydogandmydoglovesme · 29/08/2013 21:19

I bought myself a Le Chameau waterproof shooting coat as I go brushing and spend the whole day outside in the rain and wind and snow climbing through hedges and wet fields full of shoulder high maize. It cost me about £200 and it's now about to do its fifth winter. It looks like it did when I bought it. It's made to last and I'll easily get another five years out of it. That will probably work out at about £20 a year so good value I think.

Kezztrel · 29/08/2013 21:25

Yes. If it's within your budget and will last a good few years, it's worth it. Mine is wool and cost around £200 and it will be on its fourth winter this year. Still looks really smart, especially after its yearly dry clean! Most importantly, as it's pure, thick wool it's very, very warm.

missbopeep · 29/08/2013 21:57

Yes. Have spent a lot more than that. I reckon I get 3-4 winters or more out of a good coat so it's false economy to buy cheap.

PosyNarker · 29/08/2013 22:06

Good grief yes, if you can afford it IMO that's a cheapish coat. Obvs if you can't I'd buy from the best quality shop you can rather than a high fashion (e.g. an M&S might do better than the same price coat in TopShop).

My winter coat cost £300 4 years ago and is still going strong. It's a smart Jaeger wool coat which is what I need for my work.

FWIW I have plenty of outdoor gear and have never regretted buying higher end (I love Rab, Phd). There are a few trendy exceptions. I've had great gear from Arcteryx but I cannot possibly justify their prices (I bought in the sale).

Littlepumpkinpie · 29/08/2013 22:26

I would spend that on a decent coat if your out in all weathers its worth it to be warm and dry on the school run and the heaven always open at school run time.

Sollers · 29/08/2013 22:29

*VerySmallSqueak
No,no and no.

I would want to kit out the whole family for a quarter of that.*

Really? You would kit out a whole family with warm and dry and lasting winter coats for £40 in total? Where do you shop??

Littlepumpkinpie · 29/08/2013 22:30

I would spend that on a decent coat if your out in all weathers its worth it to be warm and dry on the school run and the heaven always open at school run time.

OldRoan · 29/08/2013 22:33

Yes, if it was one I genuinely wore and knew would wear again. I would start saving now and keep popping into TK Maxx before splashing out though - you can get lucky on coats (particularly if you look in the outdoors/sports sections in a less sporty town).

I got a £149 coat for £49 in mine - a fab, waterproof/windproof tweedy hunting coat rather than the type you describe, but don't rule it out if you aren't in a rush to buy.