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!

[quote IdesMarchof]@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie I usually don’t frequent S&B, as I’m very like you. I’m writing this wearing thermals as it’s freezing here and style /beauty are not what people associate with me.

But all I can say is the Janelle looked awful on me - odd shape. I want to be warm without people thinking “god Ides looks even worse than usual”!

So just in case useful to others, I say buy Janelle with caution[/quote]
I love S&B, love clothes, wearing them, buying them, talking about them. But for a warm winter coat, I really don't give a flying fig if it's stylish or not.

Clothes can totally be frumpy. It's an adjective and it's no more offensive than "ugly" or "cheap" which is used to describe clothes. I'd never call a person frumpy.

DH would never buy something that he felt aged him. If he goes to the shops he swaps from sweatpants to jeans so as not to look like "a slob". Maybe the male equivalent is slobby - dunno.

Things can be both aesthetic and functional. There's nothing wrong with seeking out those garments. That's what people often do in S&B.

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie

'Frumpy' and 'old lady'.

It's a coat. It keeps you warm and dry when trudging around the park, which is about all anybody is allowed to do at the moment. It DOESN'T MATTER if you don't look like you've stepped off a catwalk. Fuck off with your 'frumpy' and 'old lady' shit.

PS: I don't even own this coat, but it looks warm and sensible - and sometimes that is EXACTLY WHAT ONE NEEDS in a coat.

What if I want a coat that's warm and waterproof and also looks nice? Or am I bring self possessed and unreasonable for wanting warm, waterproof, and doesn't make me look older than I already am and not actually look that nice? Because I have choices, you know. There will be other warm and waterproof coats out there that may look nicer. I don't know yet as I haven't received my Janelle. But if I'm spending £75 on a coat, I would like functionality and aesthetically pleasing!

I went for the Plant Hunter in navy as I thought the Janelle just that bit too long as I am only 5ft 1. It came this week and I love it! They do it in petite too which is so much better for me. Used the half price off code for teachers as well so it was £75 instead of £150.

Need to be warm and dry on playground duty and this does the trick.

I'm 5'3 and looked at the Janelle coat but I decided it would be too long on me. I got the Plant Hunter instead. I love it, it's really warm, it's just the right length and keeps me dry when it's raining. And the hood is perfect, unlike most hoods which are either flimsy or won't stay up. It's practical and also nice looking - the few friends I've met this winter have all asked where it's from.

Things can be both aesthetic and functional.
I agree with this and it makes me very cross that British designers are hailed the world over for their creativity and yet don't seem interested in working on a bad weather coat that's both effective and good looking.

I don't see anything wrong with wanting both.

I also don't know why men's opinions are being used as if they're some kind of gold standard. Ask them about cars - go on.

If this one doesn't suit I'll order the plant hunter instead to try!

I'm very tempted to order a Janelle to see what all the fuss is about.

I've got this - it's not a winter coat but it was great in the Autumn and I think will also be good in the spring.

OP, I forgot to mention - I got a lovely Ilse Jacobsen coat in the sales. Very lightweight and kind of utilitarian looking. It's been rain, snow and wind proof so far without being bulky. Maybe worth looking if they still have stuff on sale

I've got a Janelle, it's ok - practical over stylish, but does the job. I've just washed mine for the first time though and it's shrunk massively!

Things can be both aesthetic and functional

But that's the holy grail, heard of it, never seen it! Especially when it comes to coats. Which is odd, bearing what the weather is like here.

Still, 'frumpy' is in the eye of the beholder. I don't believe there is such a thing as objectively frumpy. I like things a lot of people consider frumpy. I dislike a lot of stuff many people consider stylish (shrugs).

To me to say you're wearing something frumpy implies that it makes you look old or unsexy, and those are things that are socially unacceptable in a woman.

I have one-am shorter than you so it's ridiculously long on me & big as probably should have sized down and yes, probably not the most stylish coat I own.

However, it's warm and waterproof and I can get thick jumpers underneath. I also only wear it for dog walks and bonfire night!

@seaweedhead

To me to say you're wearing something frumpy implies that it makes you look old or unsexy, and those are things that are socially unacceptable in a woman.

This.

Because looking 'sexy' is so important when schlepping around on lockdown walks.

I’ve just googled it! I want one now!

I'm 5ft 4, I have a navy Janelle and I love the length of it!

Super practical, not the warmest, but great for damp dog walks!

Anyway, I don't think my coat looks frumpy, I think it looks like it's 50yo owner is living life to the max and loving life despite the weather and how society thinks she should look

Loving life is far more sexy than any look IMO

Hmm I don't think we need to work on a binary of sexy - frumpy? You can be neither on a dog walk (everyone here has a dog?) BUT if you spend £££ on a coat, you want to be able to put it on and feel good. Not sexy, just good. Pleased that you spent your money on something you look forward to wearing AND that keeps you warm.

I agree, British designers have not embarked this holy grail of a design feat. I would look to Scandinavian brands. People there have a long history of making every day objects pleasing, pretty and practical.

I invested in the navy (Squid Ink) Janelle as my school-run coat. I'm 5'1, and bought the Petite, I think in a size 8. The length is fine on me; just below the knee in front and slightly longer at the back.

It's windproof and waterproof, which means it keeps one surprisingly warm given its lightweight feel.

I like the Velcro'd internal pocket; I keep bank cards in it.

Things I don't like: the neon yellow zip/trim on the navy version (they now do a green/grey called Woodland which I prefer).

The sleeves, whilst long enough, could do with an elasticated fabric cuff inside the wrists, as the wind can find its way up the sleeves.

I also ordered and sent back the Planthunter, which I found much less flattering and more frumpy on me. I've had compliments on the Janelle; it cinches just enough at the waist to give a nice shape.

I hope you like it, OP!

Mine arrived this morning. In the squid ink blue colour. I’m 5’3” and while long it’s not too long.

I got it with the NHS 50% off as I’m waiting for a refund on a Didriksons Nicolina that broke after 2 months. It’s not as warm as the Nicolina but it’s 1/4 of the price and it kept me warm enough and dry in the driving snow today.

I wore it with a mountain warehouse funnel neck fleece and snow boots so attractiveness wasn’t high up on the list of worries but I don’t think it’s an ugly coat.

If you want very stylish and functional, you need Protected Species or Ilse Jacobson.

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie I don't remember saying in my OP that I was worried that the coat wouldn't make me look sexy? And I still don't understand how I'm getting jumped on for wanting a coat that is both functional and looks nice. I don't have a dog, BTW, and don't go on too many long Forest walks. I can also safely say that not a single coat I own would be classed as "sexy". But they most of them do look good, be it my big shapeless but very cool parka, my long wool autumn time coat etc.
It feels like I'm being accused of being anti-feminist for wanting a flattering coat. Which is not what I was expecting from the thread at all!

My comment about a coat not needing to be 'sexy' was nothing to do with your OP.

And nobody is 'jumping on' you. My comments are all to do with the ridiculous word 'frumpy' and the ageism which appear time and again on MN. Buy/Wear what you want.

Also used my NHS discount and bought the Seasalt Coverack coat in navy that has white trims, it's lovely, good length, including the sleeves that actually cover my wrists, much better quality than I thought it would be, I can't wait to wear it, may be just alittle bit too light weight at the moment. Absolute bargain...and no, it doesn't look frumpy

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie

'Frumpy' and 'old lady'.

It's a coat. It keeps you warm and dry when trudging around the park, which is about all anybody is allowed to do at the moment. It DOESN'T MATTER if you don't look like you've stepped off a catwalk. Fuck off with your 'frumpy' and 'old lady' shit.

PS: I don't even own this coat, but it looks warm and sensible - and sometimes that is EXACTLY WHAT ONE NEEDS in a coat.

The capitalised swearing here was a bit harsh!