Warm but elegant coat

[custardlover]

I'm on the hunt for a warm coat that looks smart and even feminine for work and travelling. Ideally knee-length and waisted - I am mid 40s, size 12 and an hourglass (well, probably more like a pear nowadays!). Budget around £200 -£300 I guess - could go up for something excellent. The last coats I had which I really liked were both with quirky colours and details - a purple on with balloon sleeves from Coast and an anyone with red piping from Hobbs. Sadly both very tired and thinning now.

Where would you look? I went through John Lewis earlier and everything seemed so thin and measly!

Bumping in case anyone has any suggestions! Thanks in advance

I’m the same age & size as you & have just ordered these 2 from JL. The brand is Inwear. They did have more colourful options too.

I was quite taken with pink coats in benetton at the weekend, two styles available but only this one seems to be online. The other was shorter and single breasted but same colour. https://ie.benetton.com/double-breasted-coat-in-wool-blend-pink-2N3GDN038_11F.html .

Oh yes, I like both the houndstooth and the pink - and are they properly warm and not thin and mealy?

Both coats arrived today & the houndstooth is heavy & massive. I ordered a 12 & it’s nearly floor length. I look like uncle fester in it. The other coat I ordered in a 10 & that’s still a tad big & far too long.
The quality of the material is good. But, both will be going back.

The pink felt nice, the material was quite plush. I'm not sure how warm, it's on the lower side of wool content than I'd usually go for (but I'm a very cold creature) but the fabric felt cosy.

Reiss Mia coat

This one https://www.johnlewis.com/reiss-mia-wool-blend-tailored-coat/black/p6358717

I’m a similar shape and size to you OP.

This is beautiful, thank you. There is a Reiss near me so going to take a feel today and see if it fits the warm part of the brief.

https://www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/bristol-wool-check-coat/sty-u0192

Deffo check out joe browns! X

I got a wool Vivienne Westwood coat in a second hand store/dress agency before Christmas (Like this one but in black) that I’m completely in love with. There are plenty on eBay/Vinted etc but appreciate that you may not want to take the risk/you can’t send back etc if it doesn’t suit. Perhaps there’s a similar shop near you though? The one I went to had quite a few coats from places I’d never be able to afford brand new.

I’m also an hour glass and find the Ted Baker wrap coats suit me (although only the longer style, the short one finishes at the wrong point on my hips) - they have some of the brighter colour options in the sale. I’ve had one now for well over 5 years and it’s still in working order.

I also love this coat although haven’t seen it in real life (I do have a pair of shorts from the brand which I’m happy with though).

Do you need it to fit over a suit jacket/blazer?

I would highly recommend a wool Ted Baker coat like this one. Wool has been my best friend this winter (brr).

could you come at a full length down one? so so so much warmer than wool coats I think. It's like the cold becomes theoretical. And there are really good chic ones now. Get one from a scandinavian country -- they do not fuck around.

Have you had a look at Monsoon?

I have this in a different colour and recommend. Love it.

Me too! They've had this coat for a few years now. I bought a rather out-there colour, but I wish I had a more neutral one. My DH says I have too many coats*.

*Tell me - Is that really possible?

I think that Ted Baker looks very sleek but... cold and thin! Is it genuinely warm? Warmer than or equivalent to a duvet coat?

Haha, no it is not!
i find the neutral colours a bit boring tbh although if I get a more interesting colour, I do get bored of it after a while.
So one definitely needs several coats in several colours 😜

The ted baker is medium warm, I'd say, best with layers or a warm jumper underneath and a warm scarf. I wouldn't stand around for hours at the playground wearing it (my kids would get it muddy for starters ) but it's plenty warm enough if walking around on a very cold day.

I do have a warmer coat but it's not elegant!

Yes I also have down-filled costs (and always from Scandinavia, agree with that PP!) but would love a wool/cashmere super warm but also smart coat.

I used to have one, well over a decade ago. I wore it to Iceland in November and it was warm enough! But I can't remember the brand. It wasn't well known but from a department store; I think the old Dickens and Jones in Victoria in London, so I have no idea what it was.

Or actually where it is.

None of my mostly wool coats are warm compared with my M and S padded long coat! I just juggle them in the cold weather and wear mostly the wool ones, with the padded for walking around when it's freezing like this week.

I got a couple off Vinted that are high wool content, presumably from 90's or 2000's (or older?) which are lined nicely. My dd has been wearing a vintage Karen Millen coat and has been toasty!

I've got this in navy - I love it. Mind you, the top button is a bit of a pain to do up in a hurry! But it looks fantastic. I normally take a 12 but got a 10.