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?

direct.asda.com/george/women/coats-jackets/oatmeal-longline-throw-on-jacket/GEM775202,default,pd.html?cgid

direct.asda.com/george/women/coats-jackets/mustard-yellow-collared-longline-formal-coat/GEM758921,default,pd.html?cgid=D1M1G20C6

@LightOfAThousandStars I have a Rab one.

I find it warm enough but I dislike being too hot do if you are the sort of person who feels the cold it might not be warm enough.

Lots of my friends have them too so I don’t think I’m an odd anomaly.

They are expensive but mine is 8 yes old and only just getting seriously tatty.

rab.equipment/uk/women-s-microlight-jacket-aw20

direct.asda.com/george/women/coats-jackets/burgundy-collared-longline-formal-coat/GEM758884,default,pd.html?cgid=D1M1G20C6

Thanks @opinionatedfreak, that looks really lovely and light. Seems perfect for driving in as well which is hard to do with stiff bulky jackets.

Standard woolly hats are fine on men and children who don't care much, but you might prefer to try on a few until you hit on a style you like. Scarves just keep draughts out and your neck warm, but can style and finish what you wear flatteringly. Re gloves, I buy a pair of fingerless gloves to go with my winter coats, because I start wearing them in October and rarely take them off outdoors before April, so I have orange, red, lime, teal, navy and black. Several pairs are very threadbare. And when it's really chilly, I wear them indoors too. Bit of a pain ATM with all the hand sanitising though.

In London you don't need waterproof. My coat is wool so water resistant but I use an umbrella if it's properly raining. I recommend getting some heattech from Uniqlo to wear under your clothes.

@XingMing where do you buy your scarves and hats from? Mine from the high street usually fall apart quickly and want to invest in some better ones.

Scarves tend to come from 100 Stars, and anywhere I see a nice one, but 100 stars is a good starting point. Hats from a local retailer, who buys all over the world, but Bronte is a brand she carries most years. It's from the Netherlands, so the weather is similar enough to be relevant.

Thanks so much x

I would agree with others you ideally need 2 winter coats - one waterproof/practical, one smart/wool...

People would often suggest getting a cheap waterproof and expensive wool coat but if you’re willing to go vintage/eBay I’d go the other way around - get a good quality second hand wool coat for a low price (I got a very toast-esque one recently for £20!) and then a good quality waterproof that you actually enjoy wearing - I have the seasalt Plant hunter which I would recommend - not too puffy, warm but light and very waterproof

I hope you find what you want quickly for this winter, *LightofaThousandstars. Scarves are justifiable; they never don't fit, and neither do hats. But they do have to suit your face and build. It takes a while to get your eye in. Watch people a lot to get your eye in. I hope that makes sense to you.

Mountain Warehouse Frosty Womens Longline Softshell Jacket Windproof Windbreaker

I bought this in green last year it’s warm enough (I’m in London) and waterproof- my job entails walking between home visits

I like it because the soft shell is not crackly like a waterproof,
It has some shape to it - so I don’t look like a donut
The hood stays up
zipped pockets that are in seam ( hate patch pockets)
Long enough to my thighs (5’7)
Says it’s water resistant but has kept me dry for a 40 minutes downpour
Light fleecy lining

I also have wool pea coat and duffel coats for colder days but I wear this a lot

Thanks @XingMing, yes it's getting very cold out now so hopefully find something soon. Lots of lovely ideas on this post

Hope you found what you were looking for @Frequentflier

@LightofaThousandStars, am still waiting for this Trespass parka which I ordered nearly a week ago. www.trespass.com/faithful-womens-parka-jacket#color_code=Navy

I also keep trying to buy this very classy Uniqlo hybrid down ( love the minimalism of it), but it is sold out in navy/black, and every time one becomes available, it is gone by the time I log on! Clearly v popular. www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/product/women-hybrid-down-hooded-coat-429461.html

@shesellsseashells99 and@thighidentitycrisis, thanks for your reccos. Think I will wait and see how the Trespass looks before going further. From the other posts on this forum, clearly it may involve lots of trying on and returns!

So far, I have been finding the winter quite mild, but I guess it isn't actually winter yet. But I was in the UK last November, and it seemed much colder than it is this year.

@Frequentflier those look like great options, the Trespass Parka is very popular so hopefully it's a good fit. Keep checking the Uniqlo website as well, sometimes sizes come back in. I agree with you it has been a pretty mild November so far.

Londoner here. I wouldn’t necessarily prioritise waterproof unless you are working outdoors. It doesn’t rain that much (though granted it has this month). Agree a range of coats will be necessary. And it’s not cold now but there will be a period of time when it is. Could be a week, could be three months. That’s the joy of English weather - you just don’t know what you’re going to get . Ditto the summer when a July day in London could be 15 degrees or 35.

I live in London and do a school run and a dog walk. I have a Uniqlo down coat and I wear either a wool overcoat or a Uniqlo waterproof mac over the top.

I don’t know how to do links but my mac is called the Blocktech Soutien Collar coat. It was great on its own in showers in the Spring and Summer.

I don’t wear a wool overcoat as it’s too heavy, but if you want to look chic then you could always slip that on over your down coat.

I don’t often wear a wool overcoat

I bought this one from Mountain Warehouse, called Snow globe.
It's the best coat I've ever had.
www.mountainwarehouse.com/snowglobe-womens-padded-jacket-p20394.aspx/

@Cantreasonwithunreasonable that is quite nice, much more streamlined than so many of the padded coats which I have seen. I am apple shaped, so need to be careful about adding padding!

I also very much liked this if anyone is looking for a bargain. Just don't know if it is warm enough for my first winter, and could not find any reviews. But it looks almost fashionable for a parka:)
www.regatta.com/women-s-rimona-waterproof-insulated-hooded-parka-jacket-dark-khaki/