talk me through coats!

[BabyLlamaZen]

I need one, a decent one, and have no idea where to start!

I'm not great with fashion. 🙈

Ideally a hood and pockets!

Where and when and in what social situations and climate will you be wearing your coat? Is it for walking or commuting by car or nights out?

(Fairly hardcore but would be useful to know before people start recommending smart ones for hiking trips)

I have a lot of coats so am on one end of the spectrum. But I would say that 1 is a bit low - a minimum might be a casual parka or puffer and also a smarter wool one?

Be realistic about what you need it for, set a budget, look at your wardrobe what do you already have, what will match what you have, where did you get your fav coat from could you look there, what did you like or dislike in past coats, what colours suit your skin eyes and hair and go with your style... do you care if its laundrable or dry clean, do you have preferred fabrics or ethical shop or dont care, do you want the hoody to detach, do you need a big hood, one that can be fastened in wind.....make a list then browse for a specific item. Hood and pockets is just too wide and vague but a start at least.

You must have a vague idea of what you are after. Length? Colour. Budget.

Does it need to be fully waterproof material or would a hooded wool coat do? I always look scruffy in a parka so have fitted duffle coat ( wool is naturally water resistant).

@Bunkbedpeople

Where and when and in what social situations and climate will you be wearing your coat? Is it for walking or commuting by car or nights out?

(Fairly hardcore but would be useful to know before people start recommending smart ones for hiking trips)

I have a lot of coats so am on one end of the spectrum. But I would say that 1 is a bit low - a minimum might be a casual parka or puffer and also a smarter wool one?

Mostly going for walks with the family. Practical but vaguelt stylish!

Ahh so maybe 2 is good?

How about a jacket from Seasalt? I have a couple for walking and they are pretty decent.

Hijacking - hope you don't mind!

I'm on the lookout for hoods and pockets too, but I hate puffers and parkas.

Classic khaki wax jacket like a Barbour is oddly flattering for walks if you don’t hate the look

Agree I’ve heard good things about sea salt. Also Didrikson/north face do high performance warm waterproof stuff if you have the cash

I think if your budget isn’t massive two cheaper ones work, as often one is wet and needs to dry out? Plus if you find that you love your £30 primary puffer and are always wearing it then you can upgrade to a more expensive model

Urgh Seasalt and Joules are just urgh.

Decide on the style, then start searching.

Maybe I’m entering uncoolness (quite likely) but I’ve thought seasalt in a darker colour (maybe not the brights - navy or black or dark brown) is fine if you style it right and don’t team it with boat shoes and a cath kidston plastic bag?

I definitely don’t need another coat but something like this would be worth trying on I think. (Seasalt)

A warm coat I take it?

I am looking at Helly Hanson coats and it's hard to tell which is the warmest.

There are cheaper brands, craghoppers, Regatta, Trespass. and I wonder if they are as warm as the brands like north face, patagonia

Toast does a lovely parka but it is very expensive. I would last you years though.

I like the idea of a white parka and Trespass have one

this would look good with a pink hat I think but would it be warm enough

@AriettyHomily

Urgh Seasalt and Joules are just urgh.

Decide on the style, then start searching.

@AriettyHomily I hear you, I don't want to look like I'm walking the dog.

I fancy the style of a top gun inspired white bomber jacket/short parka, with a fur lined hood? But it has to be has to be has to be warm because I do stand at bus stops which is less glamorous than
walking dogs! but it's colder because you're not moving.

Why do I only like the parkas that cost nearly 1000 euro. I am ridiculous.

Even if I could afford it that one's not available!

This one is more affordable

[[https://ie.tommy.com/essential-down-filled-hooded-jacket-dw0dw09062ybr?cmpid=ch:cpc|so:google|ca:|cr:393667146228|lb:7843441564|ag:83132874193|pi:pla-373904968964&gclid=Cj0KCQjwk8b7BRCaARIsAARRTL60mgR6kqG69z9I7fPxGdwGf4b6U-_UhXuZ-1TehcfG--ta16atTNIaAjZFEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds I would feel less frumpy in a white jacket than in a jooules or a seatsalt coat. That might be all in my head.

ooops hope this link works

I bought a Whistles parka a few years ago which is fab - waterproof, big hood, and a fishtail at the back. It was pretty expensive, but it’s as “cool” as a hooded coat gets, in my opinion.

I have plenty of other coats which I like more in terms of how they look, but the parka is a real workhorse - in normal times I have a 30 minute walk each way for work, and I live in a rainy place. It was a sound investment.

book marking this

Im tempted by a few coats on the roxy site. One is a white ski jacket. Waterproof. Thermal. Windproof. ... and very 'laaaast christmas, i gave you my heart'.

So tempted. It isnt cheap but after looking on the canada goose site i could lose my bearings and think it was cheap.

Ok, so, not hitting the slopes, wandering around town. Would this look like i wished i was skiing?

Dont like this one as much but it is abit cheaper

I'm trying to revive this thread!

So has anybody bought anything?
I haven't YET, but I'm torn between the White Roxy Snow jacket or a longer (But not too long) taupe north face ''brooklyn'' parka. Unfortunately it's out of stock. I wonder how quickly they can restock.

I Got a black primark puffer for £30

Just really plain even the zips are black? I’ve gone for a size up and think it looks great with plain white trainers, black leggings, and a grey sparkly hat. And mega comfortable.

I have black hair and olive skin so it all matches nicely.

Basically what I thought of as slightly gangster 90s fashion (and had a poison eye for) is now back in style and also fairly flattering and comfortable.