Scandinavian coats

[CruCru]

At the start of winter every year I start thinking about getting myself the sort of warm Scandinavian coat that they wear on Fortitude. Every year I decide that I probably don't need a coat that is good down to -32C.

However, I do rather like this. It is rather expensive but then, so are these.

Is there anything else I should look at? I'm thinking a proper, luxurious coat.

You are a bad person. Now I want one of those Woolrich ones (even though purchase would possibly involve selling one of my children and I already have too many coats).

I DEFINITELY have too many coats. Plus I get the bus / tube and a really hot coat would be unbearable.

However, it would be extremely snuggly for walking around / waiting around before my son gets out of school.

One problem with stuff like this is that, if you are over a size 16, the expensive shops tend not to stock your size. Even the expensive outdoors labels tend to stop at a 16.

Beautiful coats but thats just madness (cost madness).

I'd only buy one of them while actually living in Scandinavia! Plus you'd be bloody boiling if you were travelling with it on, while in the UK. I mean it's cold but not that cold.

I think you need to buy it (the first link) by justifying the cost over 10 years - which makes it £50-odd each year, which is cheaper than a new coat every couple of years and infinitely warmer and more practical. Buy it buy it buy it.

I could have it as my Christmas present?

Although I love the Woolwich ones, I am still a bit funny about wearing real fur.

I don't blame you - no need whatsoever for real fur.

Definitely get it for Christmas - a few people chipping in some cash and that lovely new coat is yours

You will pas out with the heat in a fortune type coat in the UK. If we get a really bad winter you might wear it for 2 weeks.

They are nice enough but are they any good for our mildish, wet winters? I think they are better suited to colder, drier climes.

Down type coats or anything with a furry trim generally go to pot in the rain plus the fact that you'll melt in them because it isn't cold enough.

I could always ski in it? We are going during the February half term..

I really want one now too!

Can they be tried in anywhere, uk stockists??

I'm not sure you could ski in it, but you could certainly pose about in it around the resort wearing sunglasses and pretending that your name was Agna.

Our winters up here are not mildish - perhaps you could decant to Scotland from November onwards? I can see you might have to think outside the box to justify the cost of buying a property here to accommodate your coat, but I'm sure that can be achieved somehow.

It looks as though quite a few places in Covent Garden stock the label - but they tend not to stock anything above a size 16 so I would have to ring them to check that they have it in my size.

If you look around some coats in Scandinavia come with detachable linings so that you can wear the coat in late autumn/early spring.

My Danish husband had one when we first met that was a waterproof winter jacket and fleece jacket - but both could be worn seperately as well - my daughters also had snowsuits that had an extra Teddy-fleece detachable lining for those minus 30 days of playing outside at nursery.

Yep, Cotswold have it - but only up to a "M" size. Same thing with Snow and Rock.

Have you looked at didriksons coats? They are perfect for our UK winters, and looks like the ones you've linked to

I will be sure to check them out.

I have a didrickson jacket, it makes winter bearable.

Didriksons Angelina parka is what to look for, it is the best winter jacket I've owned.

That Fjallraven jacket needs regular treating with wax to keep it waterproof. Fjallraven seems to be the tv presenter jacket of choice this year. It was Canada Goose last year.

We can have months of -20 and below here. They work well at that temperature. You will sweat buckets on the bus/tube.

Hmm. That does also look rather delicious.

I've been out in the snow with only a long sleeved t-shirt under the angelina, and I've still been toasty. I'm usually terrible and miserable in the cold, but that coat kept me happy all last winter, I was so excited when the temps dropped this week so that I could wear it again it's cozy body lining is just lush!

I hadn't realised that the Fjallraven coat was waxed - this does put me off it a bit. I already have a waxed (Barbour) coat so it may be too similar.

Okay - I've just emailed the company to ask how often it needs waxing etc and whether there are any shops in London that stock it in a larger size than M.