People in Edinburgh, which coats are you in?

[Judystilldreamsofhorses]

We’re visiting for four days next week from another Scottish city. It’s freezing here still, we had snow today, but I really don’t want to be in my big duvet puffer coat next week.

I‘m thinking oversized leather biker I can layer under. I always carry an umbrella and beanie hat in my bag anyway. Is this deluded? Another nice option is a short quilted jacket from Cos (Frankie Shop knockoff) which I love, but it isn’t going to work with dresses for going out for dinner. It’s very light so I could pop it in the case maybe?

In the day we’ll be meeting up with friends, shopping, lunch, coffee etc. I’d quite like to go to the Camera Obscura, but DP was at Edinburgh uni so we visit quite often and won’t be doing other really touristy stuff. We have three nights and one will def just be a burger/pizza type thing, the others will possibly be a bit nicer (but I plan on taking a denim jumpsuit from Oliver Bonas and a Monki midi dress, both to wear with trainers - I am not a fancy-dress-y-up type person).

I’m kind of musing to myself here really but if anyone has any weather insights that would be great. Also where shall we go for dinners/lunches? Any new places we should try? We’re staying at Tigerlily where I have had cocktails before but never eaten.

At this time of year any of
black Max Mara icon coat,
camel Max Mara icon coat,
vintage ankle length black wool Laura Ashley riding coat,

ankle length black wool, vaguely priest style coat from Lilith,
just below knee length 1960s vintage black cashmere coat with fur collar,
Hobbs black and navy very thick knee length pea coat,
oversized long beige Mackintosh (ie proper made in Scotland bonded rubberised Mac)
fitted, smart navy Mackintosh.

If it's very cold wrap large cashmere shawl (various colours) round me and felt hats, various colours and styles.

On feet black Lanx lace up ankle boots or burgundy leather and suede Joseph Cheaney lace up ankle boots.

I'm still in my puffer / gloves / hats most days to be honest. I was out for lunch last weekend though and we all turned up wearing either bikers or mid-length gilets so it looks like people are definitely optimistically dying to put them away . I was however freezing waiting outside on the taxi, fine for twenty mins when you know you'll soon be home to crank the heating up but I don't know if I could have coped with a biker (even layered) if I was out for the day.

I would definitely take it if you're planning on going back to the hotel between stuff / before dinner (especially if it goes well with your going-out outfits). But I'd also be tempted to have something a bit warmer so I wasn't miserable. That said I am definitely a miserably cold person.

Sorry I can't help much with lunch / dinner recs as I barely ever set foot in the town. Last lunch was a fancy afternoon tea type thing that felt more like a bushtucker trial lmao... do not recommend.

You are going to Edinburgh from Glasgow or Aberdeen or Inverness at a push and you want to know what kind of coat to wear??

@Judystilldreamsofhorses hello! I live in Edinburgh. Also waves to @NatashaDancing - another Mackintosh fan (I have a gorgeous one with the leopard print lining!).

We had snow/hail on Sunday, but it didn’t settle and Monday was lovely and sunny. Although the temps were quite low, in the sun it felt warm enough for a short jacket (I was wearing an aviator style jacket from Stand Studio). But as soon as it gets windy or damp it’ll feel colder again for sure.

I’d say I’m out of my winter puffers and mostly in my in between season jackets. That’s partly as I’m sick of winter coats and I get to the point I just want to start wearing lighter/brighter clothes again. If you’re mostly wandering around town you’re never outside for that long before you’re in a shop/cafe/pub etc so I’d personally go for something you’ll enjoy wearing, and risk being a little chilly now and then if the wind picks up/if you’re out in the evening. But you won’t die of frostbite :)

I’m also from another Scottish city and was there last week,Thursday-Saturday, to visit my dd who is at Edinburgh uni. I took my smaller jacket as it had been quite nice here for a few days and our dd had said it had been nice there too.

It was cold! I spent every day wishing I’d taken my big coat. I did have my hat and gloves with me and an umbrella as it rained in and off every day. But yes it was cold.

I moved to Glasgow 3 Years ago, and the best type of coat I've found for the awkward weather around this time of year is a faux fur leopard print coat my mum found for me from a charity shop- It keeps you warm, but it's also not cumbersome if you're in a well heated shop and need to take it off and carry it around for a bit.

Also for dinner, have you been to Mother India, Ka Pao, El Cartel, Henderson’s? And the new street food place is worth a try. Drinks I’d recommend Panda and Sons, Dragonfly, Wildcat, Hey Palu.

I get you're fed up of your big coat. Unless we've an enviable coat wardrobe like @NatashaDancing we all are. BUT you know that the wind in Edinburgh goes right through you. You will be miserable in a biker jacket.

I'm alternating between my long puffa coat and my short less puffy puffa coat depending on the wind and how much time I'm planning to spend outside.
I think the weather is meant to turn milder now though? I saw forecasts for up to 16 degrees towards the end of this week.

But it's not light summer jacket weather yet.

I second the recommendation for Ka Pao at the new St James Quarter for dinner. I've been twice and everything we ate was delicious. Cocktails too.

You could try the rooftop bar at the new Johnnie Walker experience on Princes Street if it's sunny? I've never been but a friend recommended it for somewhere a bit different with nice views.

The Camera Obscura is good fun, I was there last weekend with a couple of older teenagers and they enjoyed it too. It's £20 a ticket though and doesn't take all that long to get round. We joked that next time we'd go after a boozy lunch because the illusions would be even better if you were a bit tipsy.

@NormaTheWife this is style and beauty, not AIBU - it's normal to ask for advice on what to wear.

Thanks to everyone who has given useful and helpful information - especially places to eat and drink! I'm going to keep a close eye on the weather app. I'm in my leather biker today and it was fine for walking to work, but there were definitely plenty of puffers still going about. I actually do have a big coat-drobe per @NatashaDancing but we're on the train so it's not going to be practical to bring all my babies!

Honestly though you are not travelling hundreds of miles and climate zones. I'm from Scotland. It's normal to ask what to wear to maybe a destination but not on a place in the same area 😂

@NormaTheWife I'm a good few hours away, and yes, over a hundred miles. I wanted to get a feel for what to bring since I will be limited to one outer garment. I don't understand why you're being so snarky.

The east and west coast have completely different micro-climates so it's a valid question

Yesterday was lovely today bloody freezing. Big coat day!

Yup very changeable at the mo! @Judystilldreamsofhorses i guess it depends on the forecast - I’d leave it til as late as poss to decide and see what it looks like. It could be nice like yesterday or cold and rainy like today. It also depends what you’re doing and how long you’ll be outside. Eg if you’re wandering around loads/waiting for public transport etc you might want a warmer jacket than if you’re doing short walks going from hotel to indoor museum to restaurant.

It snowed on sunday. Monday started with a hard frost and black ice and ended up relatively warmish. Now it's milder but damp. I honestly haven't got a clue what jacket/coat I'll be wearing next week.
I know you want to plan but I think you need to wait till it's just 3 days or so before you go and check the forecast.

As someone else said, the wind in Edinburgh can cut right through you. If you don't want to bring your puffer then I'd ensure you have a lot of layers, hat, gloves and scarf/wrap type thing. I'm still in a long coat or puffy coat, not transitioned into shorter quite yet. Even in the gorgeous sunshine yesterday it was still chilly.

Thanks everyone - I am used to having access to many coats so it's a nuisance only being able to bring one! I think I might need to abandon the idea of the midi-dress for an evening out as it would look totally shit with a puffer coat. I'm such a planner that I want to put outfits together. Oh to be like DP who will throw some t-shirts in a bag ten minutes before we leave for the train station.

It's always windy in Edinburgh 😂😂😂😂😂

I've lived in Edinburgh since 1986. I've never owned a puffa/ puffer coat.

If I had to pick one of my coats I'd take my oversized Mackintosh as it can have lots of layers underneath.

A trench type coat is one thing I don’t have, which is a pity because that probably would be a good shout!

I have two proper big duvet puffer type coats, a long quilted (less puffy) coat, two shorter quilted jackets, leather biker, various faux furs (no good in the rain) and a denim jacket (def too cold for that). I have absolutely loads of nice knitwear so definitely sorted on the under-layers.

The weather app suggests next week might be slightly warmer - double figures - at least.

Still chilly, I’m still in my winter coat and boots - it’s been too cold and wet for trainers. I’d err on the side of warmth over style - you take your coat off when you get inside.

I've put away my long puffy coat and my hat. I am now wearing my short (waist length) slightly less puffy coat and a scarf. It's still pretty cold!

I would just wear the dresses you were planning on at night under a puffer coat-take your coat off as soon as you enter the restaurant and it'll be fine!