I don't like my Seasalt Janelle

[FanGirlX]

I know it's a Mumsnet favourite but mine arrived yesterday and I really don't like it. Going to send it back. Any ideas on something practical but not as frumpy?

I'm looking on the Rains website and they seem to have some nice ones.

The seasalt Plantar is much nicer imo

Thanks, will have a look.

I tried the Janelle on in store a couple of years ago and looked like a sack of spuds in it. I like practical clothes, but do have some dignity!

I bought the Plant Hunter when it was on offer a few weeks ago and am very happy with it. It's shorter than the Janelle, so not as much cover from the rain, but it's warm, lightweight and comfortable and looks pretty decent.

Are the Plantar and Plant Hunter the same ?

I have the plant hunter and was surprised that it wasn't as warm as I hoped. I have to wear a thickish cardigan on top of two layers when it's cold and frosty. Saying that I live in the North so it's probably colder. It's not as long as the janelle so doesn't overwhelm as much if you are petite and it definitely held up to the torrential rain over the weekend ! I'm not sure I would have paid full price (I got 25% off).

It wouldn't be for me either OP. Send it back!

I like Roxy and saw some nice coats on there. I bought a northface brooklyn parka in the end which is very warm, waterproof, and I don't feel dressed up in it ! but I don't feel like dowdy shapeless and old in it either.

roxy warm and waterproof

the north face brooklyn parka I bought

I know it's not stylish or glamorous but if you're not on the taller side a shorter coat is going to make you feel less frumpy. That seasalt one, I'd feel like a coat moving along the ground in it. No human inside it.

Hollister navy parka, very reasonable, my daughter had one and it is warm!

I like this in the marroon colour, tempted as the only warm coat I have is BLACK

That seasalt one, I'd feel like a coat moving along the ground in it. No human inside it.

That is such a great mental image

this is nice but size down and wait for a discount code.

this breta parka also off the pepe site is lovely and not sold out. I like it in white!

I'd feel like I was brian from east 17 in a wham christmas video in this one, love it. Pink Hat, pink scarf. Would feel less invisible in this.

@MrsMadderRose

this is nice but size down and wait for a discount code.

I am confused by the size guide on pepe. Like their coats though. What size is size 40? how would you know what that is around the hips?

Hmm i'm not sure about 40, but I have the coat I linked to. I looked at the size guide and decided I must be an XL from the measurements it gave (I'm mainly a 14, sometimes a 16). Ordered the XL and it was MASSIVE. Swapped for a medium and it still has plenty space for a jumper underneath. But I don't know if it's just that that particular item is oversized.

I also have a plant hunter which I got on ebay. It's nice, but I agree it's not full-on British/Scottish winter wear. It's not that warm. I fancied a Janelle but couldn't ever find a colour I could get on with, hence my Pepe jeans find.

God knows why it's a favourite as it definitely makes the wearer look like a sack of spuds as per PP.

It a favourite mainly for dog walkers who walk long distances in all weather. No idea why else you'd wear it

I have a Janelle, agree it’s a bit frumptastic but I do sadly love it. If you have to do long dog walks or playground duty in the rain then it keeps you completely dry and warm and it has excellent pockets.
Unfortunately I think the frumpiness is because it’s so all encompassing so I’m not sure you’d get the same “performance” from something more stylish?

Never seen a long totally waterproof padded coat that wasn’t a bit frumpy. People wear them for walks, school pick ups etc when it doesn’t really matter and staying warm and dry is more important. Get a nicer coat for when you’re just nipping from car to shop/ restaurant etc. That sort of coat won’t be any more than showerproof though!

Well I walk to the bus stop to get to work and same on the way home.
I'd really rather not descend in to the not caring at all what I look like pit!

But then if you're 30 and tall with long blond hair sticking out of a beanie, it's easier to still look good in a terrible coat.

If you're 51 and 5'1'' (wow, the symmetry there) you have to give it a bit more thought.

You really do. Otherwise the person behind you in the queue gets served before you. I don't need that in my life.

@MrsMadderRose I hate that continental sizing 38,40, etc as I never know what it refers to. Bust? Hips?

Ah, just had another look at the size guide and I think a M = 12 so you should have order L not XL. Sez I helpfully after you learnt that the hard way.

I haven’t tried this coat on so perhaps it looks worse in real life, it doesn’t look significantly different to all the others in the pictures to me. A lot of them are more shower proof and mid thigh which is a totally different style to me as you’ll get wet in seriously bad weather and winter weight trousers stay wet a long time.. what is it you’re looking for @FanGirlX ? Personally I have a selection of coats and just wear them all for years as I don’t think one winter coat covers everything (and I have too many clothes!)

I bought the Plant Hunter from Seasalt last year and love it. I live by the sea so we get fairly extreme weather, I wore it all through last winter and found it warm enough even during a week of snow in February.

I’ve just bought a Regatta Rimona which is a much cheaper but similar to the Janelle. Quite tight on the hips and waist but I like it. www.regatta.com/womens-rimona-waterproof-insulated-parka-jacket-navy/

I have the Janelle and hate it. The cut is terrible, it sort of hangs off the back of my shoulders so I’m constantly trying to pull it forward. As others have said it’s frumptastic and ugly af BUT it’s fully waterproof, it’s warm, it’s long, it’s cheap and it lasts forever- I’ve had mine for five years.
You can’t have everything

AnFiadhRua no that's the thing - I didn't need a large. The medium is still roomy on me. I took a chance on the medium because the XL was so enormous I literally could have fitted two of me in it. I could probably actually wear a small if I wanted it more fitted.

LOVE. LOVE LOVE my sea salt Janelle. Best coat ever for me ( throwing this in there for a bit of balance :-D )