Most stylish parka you've seen?

[Endlesscoathunt]

I can't find the right parka despite seemingly endless searching. I want something simple, with clean lines (no fur, or detachable fur), not too bulky but warm enough for winter. Water proof or water resistant.

These are examples of ones I like:
www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-partners-winter-parka-khaki/p5099119 (sold out in my size )

And

www.toa.st/uk/product/womens+coats+and+jackets/c0pcf/cotton+parka.htm?clr=C0PCF_OliveGrove_sw (dry clean only and super pricey)

Budget up to around 300... please help!

I am keeping the Fjallraven Greenland Parka I bought for £199 instead of £365 👌

I'm sadly disappointed by Seasalt.
Janelle - nice colour ("Dark Wreckage" which is a lovely teal green) but style didn't suit me, too straight up and down and too long for my taste.
Plant Hunter - preferred the style but didn't like the colour, I order "Firth" which is dark green. I would order a different colour but the fit isn't great on me either, I'm a curvy hourglass and it just seemed a bit too snug on my (admittedly large) bust and hips, but if I sized up I think it would swamp me.

I'm tempted to order the Uniqlo Ultra Warm Down Short Coat instead. Worried I'll have a similar issue with the fit though. Are there any parkas out there to suit hourglass figures or am I searching for a unicorn?!

Hi @AnotherEmma

Sorry to hear your coats haven’t worked out.

I’ve decided to send my uniqlo hybrid back too

I put it on this morning and decided that the colour (Olive) and shape really do nothing for me - I’m an hourglass too. I’ve ordered a waxed parka from M&S so fingers crossed. Also tempted by the ultra warm short uniqlo but feel like it looks quite square and bulky in the photos? Hard to tell.

I just want something that I feel good wearing but I’m starting to think maybe I need to look at a completely different coat! Maybe parkas are where I’m going wrong... username feeling very appropriate

"Also tempted by the ultra warm short uniqlo but feel like it looks quite square and bulky in the photos?"

That's what I thought too, it's putting me off ordering.

Hope your M&S coat is better 🤞

I've just received my trespass celebrity and love it. Hammered down with rain yesterday and I stayed bone dry. Hood is removable, as is the fluffy trim. Machine washable at 40 too :)

Uniqlo down is not waterproof so if that is an important criteria for you I wouldn't purchase.
Being shower resistant and waterproof are very different things.

Ah thank you LadyEloise.
The description says it has a "water-repellent" coating but that's not waterproof is it...

@QforCucumber let me know how warm it is.

Ok, I now have three coats either in my house or on order

M&S parka - in green, will remove fur

Seasalt Plant Hunter (worth a try?)

Uniqlo hybrid down (going back)

@MuserOwl its lovely, lined and padded then has a fluffy fleecy type interior (is that the right word) i feel like I've been hunting for such a school run coat for so long! Theyve all bee too heavy or too thick or not 'really' waterproof

@QforCucumber ooo that is tempting too (somebody stop me!)

Which colour do you have? Any clues on sizing?

Thanks @QforCucumber
They are v reasonbly priced compared with other for outdoor coats

I thought that too regarding pricing - it had me nervous but it really is lovely. I'm a 10 and got the small. I get warm easily though so only really have worn a long sleeved tshirt under it. I'm 5ft 5 and it covers my bum at the back

Love it! I wanted a white coat as well

Has anyone had the White Stuff Bayeswater parka? Like the look of it but unsure on the fit

I quite like this one
www.jack-wolfskin.co.uk/madison-avenue-coat/1107732-4690001.html

That's really nice @AnotherEmma! Properly waisted...

The original JL one in my OP is back in stock so I've ordered that to try - 3 on order, 1 to return. I can't order anymore or I'll be bankrupt!

Ha! I order everything with a credit card (that I pay off in full every month) so as long as I return the items promptly, the refund usually goes through before the money goes out of my current account.

@AnotherEmma that's a good idea! I've never bought so many things in one go before, it's making me feel quite nervous... but at least the coat hunt will be over (I hope!)

🤞🤞🤞
FWIW I think it's between the Seasalt Plant Hunter and the John Lewis one, but that's just based on the photos - I guess you'll have to see what they're like in the flesh and on you.
I've ordered a rather expensive North Face one, we'll see... if that isn't right I might have to give up on an interesting colour and just order the Madison Avenue coat in navy.

North face parkas seem to be very highly praised on MN, hopefully that will be the one.

I was able to order the Plant Hunter in petite (I’m short!) so that might help... I’m going off the M&S one already and it hasn’t even arrived yet. It’s weird, it’s like this has become my new (rather expensive) hobby, something to take my mind off the dire state of things...

Oh God yes, the amount of hours and £££ I've spent online shopping this year! I've had the triple whammy of Covid lockdown, pregnancy and associated ills (PGP), and now being stuck under a baby, so online shopping has been a significant distraction! I've bought all sorts

I remember the days when buying a coat entailed going into town, looking in all the shops and choosing one... now it's such a different ball game, with hours of searching online, then awaiting deliveries, then sending things back. We have more choice now but it's also a massive faff!

AnotherEmma

I think I have an older version of the Madison Avenue coat, it’s called 5th Avenue. I’ve still got it, 5 years on. Just used for dog walking now but very warm and still looks in great condition

Thanks! Tempting...

What I liked about it is that it’s waterproof but doesn’t make that rustle noise. It’s very soft, I think Jack Wolfskin call it texapore. I got the small and it’s very fitted. Super warm. But it’s not long, bum covering but that’s about it.