I've ordered a Seasalt Janelle coat...

[buttheywereonlysatellites]

I took the plunge last night as there's a 50% NHS discount at the moment.
But, I'm only 5'4", is it going to be too long on me? And I know it's not a beautiful coat but I hope it doesn't look TOO frumpy.
I just wanted something both warm and waterproof but under £100.
It arrives on Wednesday!

I'm 5'3 and it's just below the knee at the front and a couple of inches longer at the back. I like the length - I don't see the point of a bad-weather coat that's so short it leaves you with soggy thighs or knees.

It's not my favourite coat but in cold, wet / snowy weather it's very effective and I've been glad of it this week.

I’ve got one and it is perfect for standing on the side of a rugby pitch and walking the dogs.

It being so long means with my wellies on, there is not much exposed leg to get wet.

What colour?

I have a khaki one. It's SO ugly but it's very practical.
My DC laugh when I wear it, they think I'm dressed as a spy.
I'm too old to care.

It is a long coat though. I'm 5 7 and quite long on me.

I've got one and am same height as you. I bought the petite size and it fits perfectly, on the knee at the front and a bit longer at the back.

I’m short, I wear mine with happiness, after dithering for ages over choosing it, but I’m never cold. I went on a wet windy freezing canal walk with my friend who’s a trail runner and loves the outdoor stuff. She was freezing and the worst I had was wet feet. Can’t fault the Janelle. It doesn’t cinch as much as I imagine most people would like but it keeps you dry. On the school run in late autumn I would wear a T-shirt underneath and still be toasty.

It’s my favourite practical coat I’ve ever owned.

@GlitterBiscuits I got black as all the other colours just seems to emphasise the frumpiness!

I think it looks frumpy. Teen DD tells me the black looks fine, like any average black coat really, and I shouldn't worry about it.

All that said I've used it virtually every day since September time. It's very easy to wear and does exactly what it's meant to do, (windproof,waterproof warm, breathable) remarkably efficiently. Not too warm when the weather is a bit better. warm and adjustable enough to handle the recent cold weather with an extra layer underneath. The length is truly fab

I wish it looked a bit, well, better. But its fantastically useful all the same

I have one and I’m only 5’2. It’s long but in a good way. It’s not glamorous- I use I for dog walking etc - but weirdly I’ve had a few compliments on it. I find it practical and inoffensive.

I do dislike the word frumpy. Do men ever worry about looking frumpy? No- they wear clothes that are comfortable and practical and mostly don't give a second thought about whether their garments make them less attractive.

I have one in dark blue, I also think it’s a bit frumpy but practical. I’ve had people complement mine too which always baffles me a bit.

I don’t find it overly warm. Mine is not padded on the arms though it’s at least six years old so they could be different now.

I have found a new purpose in life. I am going to come onto every MN thread that mentions the word, 'frumpy' and loudly shout, "Fuck off!"

Done.

I haven't got a Janelle but I've got a lightweight Seasalt black waterproof coat and it is excellent.

@seaweedhead - this, exactly.
Dress to be warm, dry and comfortable.
Frumpy is meaningless on mumsnet, because someone will always say anything practical is frumpy.

Correction to my earlier post.. it’s not stylish but is practical. I didn’t intend to offend anyone, though I was talking about how I felt it looked on myself, not on anyone else.

I also think there loads of men that care about how they look. They may not use the word ‘frumpy’ but there’s probably the male equivalent.

I love my Jenelle coat. I wore it on the deck of a ship in Antartica and it kept me warm.

I don't like seeing people described as frumpy but I don't have a problem with applying it to clothes.

And I see nothing wrong with liking things that are both functional and look good.

I've got a black Janelle. Had it yonks. I'm 5'7" and it's a decent length. They're not hugely warm but they're well sized so you can get a big jumper underneath. I could not care less how stylish it is; this is not a dig at the 'frump' brigade but it's a practical coat for keeping you dry.

I have this and when it first arrived I worried it wasn't going to be warm enough, but it is. I've only had to wear an extra jumper a couple of times

You are right, it's not glamorous. I didn't like the yellow bits on the blue, but it's so, so impractical. Funnily enough I've also had a few compliments though.

Practical

I love mine. It does what I bought it for

I love mine. I know it's not stylish but it's not awful and it does the job so well. A coat that does what it's supposed to do is actually life changing. The fact that it almost reaches my wellies is one of the good things about it. I'm 5'7" and if anything, it could do with another inch or so for me, it should be perfect for you OP.

@GlitterBiscuits are you me. I too have the green and yes the teenagers will their eyes but my knees are dry and I give no shits. It's not stylish but it's cosy and I like the length - you can sit on a wall and not worry about a wet bum. Haha DD

Im only 5'1 so i just couldnt go for this coat despite its glowing reviews. I went for the north face brooklyn parka after revoewing coats for 2 months!!
They should do a shorter length.

Hope you dont look like a walking workman's tent in it!!

Are people really offended by the word frumpy? I also can't think of a word that would be the male equivalent. But, there are definitely items of clothing that are unflattering on men in a way that makes them look older than they are. We I met my DH, he wore bloody awful jeans. The male equivalent of "frumpy".

(Yes I did comment on them because there are other jeans out there that are both comfy and more flattering to a man in his early 30's!)

I sent it back - thought it looked a bit old lady