Help an expat make sense of winter coats/jackets?

[Frequentflier]

Hi,

I am an expat fresh off the boat from India, and need some advice on what type of winter coat I should be buying. Am all at sea! I see a lot of recommendations here, but am confused about what I actually need for London weather, and if I can get away with just one all purpose coat. My budget is about £ 120 ( low, I know, but all I can spare at the moment.) I am 5'7 and a size 12, small bust and hips, largish tummy. I'd also like to take advantage of the sales.

What I would really like is something elegant like this www.zara.com/uk/en/wool-blend-coat-with-belt-p08412744.html?v1=80964550&v2=1549217. But everyone out and about seems to be wearing something padded and quilted to keep the rain out like this www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/product/women-ultra-light-down-hooded-coat-419852.html?dwvar_419852_color=COL09&dwvar_419852_size=SMA002&cgid=IDouterwear1612a ? Is there a compromise: something not too Michelin man and yet rainproof, warm and with a hood?

I realise this is a very basic question, but those who wear elegant winter coats that are not completely waterproof, do you also wear a rainjacket over it? Currently am working from home, and only getting out to go to the park, so I guess I should not be looking for "elegant". The usual type of puffer jacket does make me look like a python post meal, though!

Also, is water repellent good enough for London?

You have great taste! To start with though you might want some like this

www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-partners-a-line-mac/stone/p5065969

Says it’s waterproof. Looks like you could wear layers under it?

Water repellent only works if it’s a very light shower. This is my coat and I absolutely love it, enough hood is huge and keeps the rain right out of your face.

www.trespass.com/faithful-womens-parka-jacket#color_code=Merlot

*the hood is huge

You do need something warm and waterproof. I don’t really have any suggestions though as you are clearly more stylish than me!

Most people would have 2 coats if possible - elegant and then super practical and waterproof!!

I think it's better to buy one that is very waterproof and not too thick/warm but that is roomy enough to layer up underneath. Nothing worse than it being too mild but needing to stay zipped up because it's lashing with rain.

I think the coat you have picked is lovely! Will you be getting on the tube @Frequentflier? I think something padded will be far too hot for the tube, even in the winter. Much better to get something such as what you've picked already, and then wear with a big scarf and gloves which you can whip off if jumping onto a tube train. Winter in London is all about the layers! I tend not to worry about a waterproof coat, just very waterproof boots and a big umbrella! I do have a trench coat as well, but I very rarely wear it to be honest. A few winters in London and you'll probably end up with an embarrassingly large number of coats like the rest of us though:)

V prompt responses; thank you. I quite like that Trespass parka jacket. Seems to have a shape.

LadyCatStark, I really am not v stylish and have no occasion to be either for the next few months!

I chanced upon this Mumsnet top 20 coats, and i really like no 1, Uniqlo Hybrid coat, but I do not think it is waterproof enough? www.mumsnet.com/swearsby/best-winter-coats

You might need some thermal base layers for your first winter. At least your in London and not Northumberland.

I forgot to say, I am absolutely wedded to the Tube and use it almost every day. I try to go out daily to a park in all weathers, because otherwise I can see the lockdown making me crazy.

I wouldn't worry about completely waterproof. I've got a completely waterproof coat and while it keeps my body dry all the rain rolls straight off it and soaks my legs 😂 so annoying! Best go for showerproof and carry a brolly

@thedaytodayyesterday I am thinking about this jacket too, is it very warm? I need super warm as I really feel the cold and am slightly concerned the fleece lining is not on the whole of the inside, just the top half.

1. You need something waterproof as opposed to just water resistant. When it's pissing down in January you don't want to get seriously wet.

2. Will you be standing around in the cold, or just running from a to b? If the latter you might not need a heavy-duty down-filled coat. If the former (think watching someone play a full game of football from the side of the pitch), then you will want a down-filled coat. There is nothing colder than standing around on a muddy field for two hours in winter.

3. How smart do you want this one coat to be? Because if you want something suitable for work a parka probably won't do, unless you have a job with a relaxed dress code.

4. English winter temps are very variable - basically anything from about 15 degrees on a mild day down to -6 or so on the coldest, so most Brits have a selection of coats. So, I'd probably try and get two coats from your budget, if you can. Maybe numbers 2 and 3 on the mumsnet recommends list, or similar.

If you live on the tube shorter lightweight down is a good shout. I always roast on the tube!!

can't go wrong the a other, they are warm and waterproof but can nip you in at the waist

www.johnlewis.com/forever-new-arianna-parka-jacket-navy/p5163636

Personally I would suggest a water proof jacket (try mountain warehouse) for a leisure coat, get a size up so you can layer with a fleece for midwinter warmth. £50 gets you something suitable. Then if you want a smarter coat choose a wool type - Sainsbury's often has good prices coats btw as do other supermarkets which you can use with an umbrella but in really bad weather I recommend having the first option as they are wind proof too and even use mine for skiing

And I recommend you buy base layers - thermal long sleeve top and leggings. Mountain warehouse/amazon/supermarkets do them and will keep you warmer as I think you'll feel cold, we are used to it and still moan every year!

@Stumpedasatree it is mega warm. I also am always cold and live in the North so it's perfect. I'm a bit in love with the coat, I bought it for the hood mainly because I'm sick of never having hoods that are quite big enough letting all the wind and rain in when you're pushing pram/walking with toddler etc.

Mountain Warehouse is great - very reasonably priced and good quality: www.mountainwarehouse.com/womens/jackets/

Welcome back!

Are you spending a lot of time outdoors, eg pushing a buggy? If not, then a warm, non-waterproof coat plus umbrella will do perfectly well.

I only really got a raincoat when I had (and still have!) little DC.

Before that, I always just picked a warm wooden coat I liked, usually from Cos.

My issue with your Zara one is that there aren’t any buttons and I’d personally find that too cold.

That coat is lovely but will get grubby quickly on the tube and with splashes from gutters (I have one similar and only wear it on dry days).

I have a Wool coat for work (when I used to go to the office!) and a parka for weekends. Trespass and Regatta do reasonably priced waterproof coats that would work alongside the wool one. But if you can only afford one at the moment go for the practical parka first and add a smart coat later.

Ps I’d you do decide you need a raincoat, there are LOTS of threads about them on here. People always recommend Rains and Protected Species - the latter is v expensive

IF you do. My phone has gone a bit mad.

Lived in London many years. Never needed a waterproof coat. An umbrella is fine. I wear a down coat when really cold and a good wool coat for less cold days or when need to look a bit smarter. If hot on tube, undo coat/remove scarf. I then wear a Mac for spring/ autumn. Pale colours fine, just be careful and be prepared to have them cleaned often.

Going short walk to bus or tube wear your nice wool coat take umbrella

Walking in parks for hours ...get a waterproof parka

When I lived and worked in London (before dcs) I pretty much managed with a trench or wool coat and an umbrella. Once I moved out and had children and school runs with no hands free for an umbrella, I needed weatherproof and waterproof coats. As others have said, I think it really depends on your lifestyle. If you want a warm, wool coat do check the % of wool, as some have very little and so are not that warm. Down-filled coats are super warm and you can get more slim lined ones, so you don't look like a duvet.