Anyone else hate practical winter coats?

[trilobiterevival]

Apart from my long swishy wool one (ankle length), which is a luxury to me, I think I hate them. But it's almost too gorgeous and not practical for every kind of weather.
I used to live in the Lake district and spent most of my time, from September to April in waterproofs. Those synthetic wind resistant things, usually by North Face or Berghaus, etc. Then there's that other cold weather solution - the massive padded parka jacket type of thing (Didriksons, Seasalt), I grew sick of them also, lol.

I do live a bit further south now, but have learned a few things:

1/ Those raincoats are not warm, unless you stick 3 layers of wool beneath or wear a puffer with it.
2/ The big warm coats (Didriksons, etc) are usually really heavy, and a royal pain in the arse if you are suddenly warm and have to lug it about. Unless you wear very slim fit jeans or leggings they tend to look dishevelled, huge and odd with anything.
3/ Barbour and other wax jackets are ok, but either never warm enough, or usually come in dark murky colours that don't suit me
4/ Wool turned out to be the actual warmest of all, without having to wear tons of layers underneath. They also look nicer (to me) and go with nearly anything. Still, often quite heavy and ludicrously expensive if 100% wool.

My solution (possibly insane):

Ditch practical coats Just keep maybe one, loose fitting rain mac and wear knits. Aran, cashmere, whatever. A few merino underlayers. A warm scarf and hat. Make the knits do the heavy lifting. I tested this out over the past few winters and was surprisingly cosy. The only downside is rain, so it's either an umbrella job or like I said, a lightweight waterproof long ish mac you can stuff in a bag.

I feel this will be an unpopular opinion, but it's lighthearted! Surely it isn't just me who has had enough coats!?

I only like wool coats. I much prefer a bit of weight to the weird, weightless, sweaty stuffiness that you get with a puffer.

I'm in the market for a coat(s) but agree they're a nightmare to get right.
I like the look of wool coats but they're no good for school run when it's pouring with rain.
Big padded costs make me look like Michelin man and I get too hot when going in shops. I hate the fur trim that so many have on the hoods.
Every 'breathable' outdoor brand coat has trapped the heat in like a bin bag the minute I've been walking and made me sweat.
I've got a lovely lightweight cotton jacket with a perfect sized hood but it can only cope with light showers and I feel a bit frumpy in it.
I'm quite top heavy and short jackets don't look right and ride up.
To top it all off I've got long arms and most brands are too short in the arms.

No one has mentioned that the problem with those lovely wool coats is that they attract moths.
I have been fighting a battle against moths for years and still they make holes in my clothes. I use sprays, cedar, lavender , that rentokil stuff, the sticky things, nothing works 100%.
I have a few going out coats, then a (fake) down knee length one with a hood for school playground duty which can fit a gilet underneath, and also a parka-style waterproof which is loose enough to fit a down jacket underneath for cold wet days. But it's a compromise rather than a solution, it's not really stylish.

Ive not had any issues with moths and have both a green tweed and navy wool coat. I am going to assume luck here, but am perpetually concerned. My wool coats are not heavy though, one is from Bruar and the other was from Massimo Dutti years back.

I love the idea of silk long johns and agree with that satisfying feeling of having a neatly rolled up mac waiting in your bag!

What bug me about some of the weather related jackets out there is how they are often hip length, so don't give a great deal of protection, which I presume means they were designed, originally, to pair with weather proof pant for hill walkers. I mean walking up a hill in a heavy, long Didriksons parka would be difficult..

It is only my own experience, so take it with a pinch of salt, but I have experimented over a few winter's in the north west just wearing two laters of good wool and been warmer than in my Rab/North Face stuff. I found that I was also warmer in cashmere and merino tights with a mini skirt than jeans or thick trousers.

At the end of the day we are swimming in choice, and manufacturers want to find any occasion or reason to sell us something. I am ashamed to say that when I lived in a colder climate, I was talked into purchasing an Arcteryx waterproof jacket that cost me over £250 And unfortunately it was as thin as cling film, the hood never stayed put in strong wind, it finished at the top hip and didn't keep me warm unless I already had several layers of stuff underneath. I have no idea why people buy this stuff, it certainly wasn't fit for purpose for fell walking. Thankfully I was able to sell it on, altho9ugh felt shady even doing so.

Yes! Yes to all of your OP. I have succumbed to the local fashion in the SW and bought a gilet because the only way I can be not hot but dry is a jumper, gilet and a brolly.

I have a beautiful wool Burberry but it is so heavy, so light-coloured and so impratical as a mum to a fournado that it comes out maybe once a year.

Yes.
I wear 3/4 length wool coats from Jaeger or Whistles in Winter & for Autumn I have a leopard print Mac & a protected species khaki tour. I heartily dislike Didriksons & any practical walking gear, even though I live right next to a beautiful National Trust walking area where heartily clad walkers abound. I don't really fit in 😕

I have this. Uniqlo have some nice coats!

www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/product/blocktech-coat-450523.html

i love 'mum to a fournado'!

See, I am happy to go out, get a bit rough, climb trees and whatnot, but I would rather do it in a sturdy aran jumper or a fishermans thing than a plastic flapping raincoat or ankle length puffer. I think long puffers are pretty cool to look at, though.

I might have to resort to carrying a good brolly. I could always get a huge sou'wester...

Just go cheaper on the padded/ quilted/ puffer jackets and not nearly as warm. 😉

Me too i hate winter coats but feel the cold, I wear a padded parker for dog walks, I like the idea of a thin gila under my wool coats, where can I buy one.

Oh I'm with you.
I get the warmth from wool and the wind/waterproofness from an outer layer.
I brought a long line shell jacket type thing from Columbia last year. The length is great (below knee), it's light and thin, a dark muddy khaki brown kind of colour. Has an adjustable waist so you can make yourself a bit neater if you wish. Great for dog walk/rainy days/walking around town, and for colder days with wool underneath.
It's so plain and well constructed that it's not unsmart either.

After searching and trying a lot I decided I go for seasalt parka style. I'm large size 18-20 and large bulky coats make me feel like teddy bear.

Any chance of a link for your Columbia coat? I've got everything covered down to the waist but ideally could use something longer if the price is right.

I’d recommend getting a ski/snowboard jacket. Many of them look similar to a street jacket now days and waterproof, breathable, warm and not too bulky as they’re designed with dexterity in mind. I’d check brands like Protest, Burton, Volcom or Rip curl. Make sure there is an actual waterproof rating on the label though (most are 10 000mm now days). Many cheaper brands say “snow jacket” but are only water resistant. Mine had lasted me 6 years!

TBH when I am walking round here I don't prioritise style. I prefer to be warm and dry. I have smart wool coats for going out and going to work, but they get worn so rarely that my long black coat is still going after 10 years. It is usually pretty damp where I live and I can't be doing with carrying an umbrella. I would rather keep my hands free and wear something waterproof.

I have a seasalt waterproof coat but it isn't one of the very thick ones - I wear it most days from autumn through to spring, with thick jumpers or a packaway down jacket with it in the winter.

Umbrellas don't really work for me as where I live (by the coast) it is usually windy when it rains, and I need my hands free to hold onto small children.

I also own a couple of nicer but non waterproof coats, which don't seem to get much wear as it seems to rain every day in the winter!

I like the idea of silk long johns, where do people buy them from?

@crispinglovershighkick

I only have a screenshot from last year - looks like it's still available in black in some places

I don't mind the look of outdoor coats and think they can look good on other people - but a puffa coat wouldn't suit me (too bulky) and I find the waterproof jackets make me sweat too much inside them - maybe because I've only ever had the cheaper ones. But I don't find them comfortable in any case and they are too hot for 95% of the year.
I do have a lightweight rain mac for emergencies and the rest of the time, either a wool coat (quite scruffy/needs replacing) or a long cardigan. I've actually said for the last 20+ years that there is no need for anything other than a cardigan or fleece until January.

This sounds like me. I am on the small side but average height so it's easy to feel swamped and ridiculous. I prefer something a bit more streamlined but not 'dressy'.
I would happily just have a waterproof stuffed in my bag and wear wool in general.
I think some replies are perhaps mistaking my post for vanity, but I don't mean I care what I look like in fashion terms. It's more that I simply don't like practical coats, and never feel practical in them!

Brollies are useless in wind, so not always a solution. I think one, single cover-up for harsh weather is the way to go for me. Everything else being wool. Through experimenting on my own I discovered that walking miles on a very bad day in wool tights and a mini skirt was warmer and easier to dry out than my hiking leggings and freezing cold north face raincoat. This surprised me.

I do prioritise style cos a coat should cheer one up. Can’t face black coats at the mo.

3/4 Jaeger crombie coats (via tk maxx) have done me proud especially as they go on wool wash perfectly. They do a nice camel one.

Slightly stiff oversized liner jackets are great if they have water and wind protection (Zara) as they are much warmer than they look and don’t weigh you down. Bright colours, too.

But my winner is a huuuge but thin Zara mac that goes over a coat and/or jerseys. Knee length, double breasted. Neatens you up in the rain. I’ve got two cos they were dirt cheap in the sale - dark blue, beige.

I love dressing gown double faced coats but they turn tied-up potato sack in seconds.

I always make sure scarves are so big they cover your entire neck and collar - stops you looking bitty. Plain colours (that suit ashy winter skin and scarlet nose, in my case) look put together even tho you’ve bolted from home in 2 seconds.

I got silk long johns, vests and socks from Patra: patra.com/category/thermals/women-s-pure-silk-thermals

Thanks!

I have a Helly Hansen insulated raincoat, and it's great. It carries me through fall to spring, and it is roomy enough that I can put a sweater on for extra warmth in winter. The hood stays in place, and the pockets have zippers, which is nice to make sure your phone doesn't fall out while in the car.

I do know what you mean about heavy winter coats, and I've not ever been a fan of puffer coats. We get a lot of rain and wind, and wet sleet in winter, so this one does it all for me. It's not heavy, so not too hot once you are in the shops.

I got one of those Joules yellow trawler fisherman’s coats and looked like a trawler fisherman in it. A homeless man actually shouted, ‘nice coat’ sarcastically at me as I walked past the shop doorway he was sitting in. Anyway, I haven’t worn it since.