Which coat?

[TripTrapTripTrapOverTheBridge]

Generally hate parkas but quite like these (although still not decided on whether to continue a desperate search for something more feminine!)

I like waxed jackets so that one tempts me but can't decide!

Would probably go for storm grey although the normal one looks nice in khaki!

What are Mint Velvet like?

[Shruti04]

I think grey, brown will look good. Padded coats are good to use in winter.

[tethersend]

Is this fitted enough?

[tethersend]

Hmm, will keep looking.

Bloody hell, it's a drawstring nightmare out there, isn't it?

[TripTrapTripTrapOverTheBridge]

That's not bad actually,but it's double breasted and I have giant norks.Shame really

[tethersend]

I don't mind that one in your link, but again, I have no idea.

[tethersend]

I have a complete blind spot when it comes to these kinds of coats.

So I'm going to wade in blindly anyway.

any good?

[TripTrapTripTrapOverTheBridge]

This one isn't too bad for a waterproof,has a detachable fur trim for the hood and a furry fleece lining
www.momtrends.com/2011/12/fashion-for-moms/

[TripTrapTripTrapOverTheBridge]

Just to add,I wouldn't be paying full price anyway,I know someone who can get a discount and have some vouchers I otherwise probably wouldn't use!

[TripTrapTripTrapOverTheBridge]

I have been 'shopping' around.I haven't found anything else.

I wouldn't buy north face because I find them ugly.They are technical coats not nice coats.I also don't wants lots of padding.Tbh I only see women 50+ wearing north face here.Then quilted styles are usually found in the market for £15 and look pretty much identical to the expensive ones,just have cheaper (and not as warm) linings and padding etc.

I generally hate parkas but those two are nice for parkas.

Love waxed jackets,but finding a nice,fitted and hooded one isn't easy either and tends to be very expensive.

Mint Velvet have got back to me now and the 'waxed' one,like many others around,isn't actually waxed and does have a sheen due to apparently trying to replicate a waxed jacket.

[HelloBoys]

70isalimit - I got the Barbour waxed jacket when I was young (in 1990 or so when they were dead trendy) - never been anywhere near a horse in my life (apart from lessons as kids) - and got it from a gun/fishing shop in Croydon. I wanted the navy which didn't have a lining but had a nice separate fur (fake) gillet thing. I gave them away a few years later and wonder why now! LOL

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Parkas remind me of the whole Feargal Sharkey look

Waxed jackets - I used to wear these to go horse-riding so I always think they smell

[HelloBoys]

and for what LittleTulip said - yes I'd probably look at North Face etc too but that's me.

[HelloBoys]

I just baulk at paying for something like that (Mint Velvet) which isn't waterproof and I KNOW (I saw) the similar Whistles ones in local department store were marked down about a week ago.

You should shop around or find voucher codes. It's your money but where I work (Wimbledon but have Kingston or West End) I KNOW there'll be sales on etc and stock even of winter coats is not moving. Mango, Top Shop coats in local dept store all still there in all sizes.

and yeah I would pay more for a coat and have done in past but again - now I'd try to get a discount more say if I paid in cash.

I know where I work (Wimbledon near Village) - sales time coats etc are marked down a bit.

[TripTrapTripTrapOverTheBridge]

Yep.Only opened in October though!Not sure how big it is mind,but hopefully not too bad.

Lol good reason to move

While on the subject of JL,I heard they do Santas grottos?Are they any good?Taking ds up to Exeter to see the Coca Cola truck next month and was hoping for a decent grotto somewhere up there aswell

[cloudskitchen]

is there a john lewis in exeter now. the nearest was Bristol when we lived there. might move back then

[ElizabethBathory]

Milly I guess it's a choice between wearing whatever you like under a toasty but slightly ugly big coat, and wearing a stylish coat but having to wear a wool jumper too. As I like woolly jumpers and cosy jumper dresses, and spend a fair amount of time outside in my coat so want to look nice, I go for the layers option. But I can see why others might prefer the former. Also, for most of the year in England my wool coat is warm enough not to need a wool jumper underneath.

[TripTrapTripTrapOverTheBridge]

Why Milly? Because it's often warmer (layering is the key to warmth,not thickness),it is more comfortable and you don't have to sacrifice having something you think looks nice.It's also helpful for when the day warms up,or you enter somewhere and have to take your coat off and don't want to freeze without it.

LittleTulip If I could find something so similar in shape,colour and other details I would be happy!Haven't managed it though.

[TripTrapTripTrapOverTheBridge]

Lol it's daft sown here cloudskitchen

Plymouth,the city where you often see locals walking around in autumn/winter or rainy spring/summer days wearing shorts and a puffa!!!!!!!!
Sometimes complete with flip flops LOL

Just discovered there's a Mint Velvet concession in Dingles so may go have a looksie.Or,I'm going to Exeter on Thursday shopping with friends (amazing that!I have no life!) So could have a look in JL while there

[MillyRules]

Thing is though Elizabeth why bother layering up with wool clothes? If you have a proper warm coat then you don't need to.

[MillyRules]

I guess it depends upon where you live then. Im surrounded by snow most of Winter.

[LittleTulip]

I'm gonna go against the grain here, I love the look of that first parka, even the bin bag effect!

However I would not pay £179 for it. Maybe £80-£90 max.

You can get a much better coat (north face!!) for £179

[ElizabethBathory]

I tend to agree that you don't need a duvet or high tech coat to survive a British winter, if you layer up with wool clothes. If it's pissing it down that badly no one cares what you look like and I'll wear a waterproof/use an umbrella/take shelter. I did used to wear a duvet coat all winter...when I lived in St Petersburg. (Now in Yorkshire and my butt-covering wool pea coat does the job.)

[cloudskitchen]

We're in the south east now. a couple of years ago we were coming down there for Christmas and it snowed here. Loads of snow all the way down until we came off the a38 and by the time we got near the coast it was all gone. The kids were gutted. South devon micro climate lol

The grey one definitely says it's waxed. I think its really nice. Order both and try them on with your outfits. Maybe order from John Lewis if you can where it's easy to get things delivered and returned via a local waitrose

[TripTrapTripTrapOverTheBridge]

Yep,still in Plymouth! South hams are more likely to get snow lol I've heard about the chilly winter,I was excited

Had to go up to the moors on my birthday to build a snowman LOL

Not sure which really,I like the relaxed look and shape of the second one.But I like the length,wax (if it really is waxed,rather than 'style' as most cheap ones)and lining on the first.A bit of water resistance would be preferable but either is better for rain than waiting forever for a wool coat to naturally dry out.

Will still be wearing dresses in winter too and not sure how the second would work with that?

[cloudskitchen]

ps according to the news we are going to have a very chilly winter brrr