Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

Which coat? WARNING! Boring 'performance' coats may feature.

110 replies

AmberNectarine · 02/11/2013 08:58

I've spent about three winters freezing my nips off trying to look cool wearing a leather jacket in the playground. I've now realised I just looked cold and possibly a bit of a wanker. Ergo I need a proper coat.

As a fully paid up member of the HoC cult, I need it to be either a nice berry colour, navy or grey. I will not countenance real fur on it so nice ones like Aigle/Canada Goose/Moncler are out.

So I have seen these two I quite like (as much as it is possible for me to like anything so functional). So which is better? Or are there other, better options?

Lands End (I know)

North Face

OP posts:
MrsCampbellBlack · 02/11/2013 09:13

Can't see the lands end one but the north face one looks nice. I have the barbour arctic down parka which is good and belted which would work well on you.

mysteryfairy · 02/11/2013 09:25

Was the lands end one petite? My experience of the smallest regular size from lands end is that it is far too wide for a size 10 figure.

Original poster
AmberNectarine · 02/11/2013 09:27

Lands end is the Shimmer Down coat. Sounds bloody awful, but looks ok, I think...

I like the Barbour Artic parka a lot, but it only comes in black and stone, I think - neither of which work terribly well with my casual wardrobe. If only they did it in Navy!

OP posts:
Original poster
AmberNectarine · 02/11/2013 09:29

Really mystery? I'm an 8-10 normally, so maybe I should get the petite - I'm only 5'4, so would probably be ok...

OP posts:
mysteryfairy · 02/11/2013 10:05

barbour arctic down in navy

LittleTulip · 02/11/2013 10:21

I would choose north face over any other mainstream brand. The north face will be amazing quality and will last you ages.

MissFoodie · 02/11/2013 10:45

didrikson

Abzs · 02/11/2013 10:48

For navy and berry colours, you should look at Jack Wolfskin. Think their range has changed this year but they usually have two or three that might fit the bill. I would probably choose a Jack Wolf skin over a North Face equivalent.

Snowlike · 02/11/2013 10:49

If you are choosing performance and expect the weather where you live to be cold and wet then down alone will not suffice - you will need a waterproof coating of some sort - wet down has little in the way of warming properties. North Face Arctic parka has a breathable waterproof exterior and is down filled, I'm sure there are others but I have the North Face and it works a treat.

LordPalmerston · 02/11/2013 10:50

ooh AMEBR

i can help you
i LOVED my shimmer down coat but it was always a little too big and therefore draughty ( I am pro sports watching mum)

LordPalmerston · 02/11/2013 10:51

i then got the North face one with a fur hood

I like but think the lands end one LOOKED nicer

noddyholder · 02/11/2013 10:52

Didrikson if you can afford. Tried one and looked amazing

slalomsuki · 02/11/2013 10:57

Another sports field mum here's s its Lands End down for me all the way. They wash and don't loose their waterproofing unlike the North Face one I had.

mateysmum · 02/11/2013 10:58

Definitely size down on Land's End. Their stuff is not fashionable, but you can't knock the quality and the customer service is excellent.

If you order by 4/11, I have a 25% discount code - FF1325

North face one look really warm.

foxysocks · 02/11/2013 11:27

I have a barbour one which is amazingly warm. mine is khaki but it probably comes in other colours. it doesn't have a belt - belted coats look horrific on me - and was from harrods last winter so you might be able to go and try on. let me see if I can find a link...

foxysocks · 02/11/2013 11:31

here it is - peninsula down parka (pmsl at 'best in the country' ohhhhh if only they knew)

comes in black here

sedgieloo · 02/11/2013 11:55

I really like that north face one but came on to recommended the didrikson Taylor it's has one of the higher tog ratings and its completely waterproof.

AHardDaysWrite · 02/11/2013 12:01

I have the North Face Arctic parka and it is brilliant. No more cold commuting for me!

hettie · 02/11/2013 12:03

What about when it rains?
I'd go didrikson all the way if you can afford it... they have quite a few options this winter

Deux · 02/11/2013 12:04

I have a Didriksons Taylor in navy. It's lovely. I haven't tried in cold weather yet as it's still quite mild.

I did wear it to the supermarket run one evening and came home sweating and panting. DH was quite confused by it all.

pseudonymity · 02/11/2013 12:29

Kudos to Amber for not buying a real fur trim.

I find that when it's really wet quite often it's not so cold. Perhaps I'm deluded and have forgotten what winter is like but the coldest days are dry to my mind, so perhaps the waterproofing isn't such an issue?

foxysocks · 02/11/2013 12:31

i think down filled and waterproof are thin on the ground? at least they were when I was looking a few years ago. I wear a mac/umbrella combo if it's chucking it down and the barbour for clear cold days, of which we have loads.

Fluffycloudland77 · 02/11/2013 12:33

Whenever I see a well dressed woman in a padded/quilted coat that makes look like she was a figure it's always a Barbour coat they've got on.

Snowlike · 02/11/2013 12:38

If I wasn't expecting much rain then I'd buy a heavy wool coat - many more stylish and flattering options available - I only ever feel smug, dry and warm in my arctic parka - never stylish and I don't think anyone else does either.

foxysocks · 02/11/2013 12:51

I couldn't wear the artic parka it would look horrific on me but I definitely feel stylish in my peninsula. and think i look pretty good too. it's showerproof but not storm proof.

wool coats are also lovely and I have a gorgeous reiss one but it fits less well with my life right now.