Desperately need fashion advice for upcoming proposal

[HopelesslyUnfashionable]

Hi all, have name changed for this because I think a few people in real life know who I am on here due to previous posts & our engagement plans are very much a secret atm.

So I'm essentially a rather plump mum who wants to look elegant for our trip away & proposal. Going to Bruges hopefully in February, so it will be cold. I won't know where or when exactly the proposal will take place- I want an element of surprise! So I could really do with help finding a coat that is practical in terms of being warm & waterproof but also looks stylish.

I've lost over 2 stones so far on my weight loss journey & hoping to keep going (still need to lose around 3 more) so something that looks good cinched in so I don't slim out of it too quickly would be a bonus but not essential.

I'm 5'5 and currently in a size 16, but some are a little big on me, hoping I might be a 14 by the time we go.

@Notalldogs23, thanks- I do love Seasalt, but worry that I tend to look a bit frumpy in it.

I think you're right that a dress/boot/thermal tight combination could work though. I'm thinking either that or jeans/boots/warm jumper & then add scarfs/jewellery/bags etc... to jazz the outfits up so to speak.

I was going to say rainsisters too - but way above budget

Have you tried TK Maxx?
Phase eight navy one here reduced from £179 to £69.99

www.tkmaxx.com/uk/en/women/clothing/jackets+coats/navy-padded-belted-jacket/p/35528248

Hi OP yes you can check out sellers ratings and I'm both a buyer and seller. I've completely changed my current winter wardrobe through vinted.

I got this for Christmas and it’s very flattering on, with the drawstring. Sizes are generous as I am 12/14 and the small fits perfectly. It was previously reduced for Black Friday so perhaps at top of budget although John Lewis stock it I think.

https://www.sweatybetty.com/shop/tops/jackets/stride-waterproof-parka-SB4932_DarkForestGreen.html?pid=SB4932_DarkForestGreen&dwvar_SB4932_DarkForestGreen_color=black&vgid=SB4932_DarkForestGreen&cgid=jackets&tile=2&newpid=SB4932_Black&oldpid=SB4932_DarkForestGreen

Rains do actually have some lovely coats that are more fitted and elegant than their standard rain jacket. I have one with a belt that always gets a lot of compliments as it's not obviously a rain jacket until you're up close.

I can't find the exact model on their website (it's from several years ago) but I would definitely try Vinted, you can indeed see sellers' ratings and I've never had any issues with it.

If you layered it over, for example, a thick thermal, a cashmere turtleneck and a down gilet would it be warm enough? All of those things available from Uniqlo in a huge range of colours and not expensive.

https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/product/trench-coat-460908.html

Fabulous trench and a bargain at £50 in the sale. Actually wind proof and waterproof, (walking in the rain but still dry type waterproof), but no hood (with a hood it would be Actually be perfect). the xl is coping with my hovering at a very variable lower end of a 16 upper 14. Photographs well. I have it in both colours and been wearing it non stop since last spring. I layer a puffer jacket under in freezing temperatures and over a tshirt in. Might be a little long for you though, although I like the fact all of me stays dry and I can wear longer cardigans

I am massively confused by the scenario - if you know he’s going to propose why not just get him to propose when you have an outfit you already own and would want to be photographed in rather than wasting £100 on a coat for the occasion?

This makes no sense. If you know he’s going to propose, just ask him to do it indoors when you’re wearing something nice. Or you do the proposing yourself.

@Saggypants, layering could be the way to go, maybe I'll buy the coat on vinted & see how it looks.

@Icedlatteplease ooh I really like that in the navy, reckon that's just about my limit length wise, would probably have to order it & try it on to see if it looked too long or not.

The trouble with all my current coats are they were already a bit mumsy & now they are too big, which makes them even more mumsy/frumpy, so the coat will be for much more than just this trip. Its just nice having a trip to look forward to & to shop for, but anything I buy will become a part of my regular wardrobe afterwards.

Oh I was going to suggest Rainsisters but see they are mentioned upthread already - and yes they are def over budget unless you can find some in an outlet store (I have seen outlet ones but a while back).

I would go for a wool /wool mix coat I think, much easier to find nice looking ones and you’re happy to carry an umbrella. Also plenty available second hand.

Bruges in February is going to be cold and wet.

I appreciate you want to look fab but every person there will be wearing a padded polyester duvet coat.

Do you know if a nice restaurant is planned so you could have an outfit for that?

@minipie, they are rather fabulous coats aren't they, had never heard of them before today, will definitely add them to my list of coats to maybe invest it when I get to my goal weight.

@AnnaMagnani, I imagine the proposal will be outside, neither of us would want to be around lots of other people. I'm not a huge fan of a padded duvet style coat & have never worn one, even in cold/wet conditions- so quite happy to wear something different from most people.

I don't really care what I look like for the proposal, think I've maybe confused people by even mentioning it. Essentially I wanted to let people know it was a special trip, but I'm not fussed by photos, I just want to feel elegant & pretty & have fun whilst wearing things that are a bit more planned than my usual mum look, if that makes sense at all.

Never heard of this brand till just now but googled wool coat full skirt and this came up. I think it’s fabulous (and great colour options)

https://theseamstressofbloomsbury.co.uk/products/elizabeth-coat-in-green

(Not sure why the link shows the back!)

Eh?

How do you know he is going to propose to you when you are on holiday?

What if he doesn't? Why don't you just ask him?

@minipie that is absolutely beautiful & very tempting.

Came also to say Rainsisters, beautiful coats

Seeing as so many of you seem distracted by the idea of me knowing he is going to propose

• we are a couple who like to plan things together, this is specifically a holiday for him to propose

• but I like more of a surprise element than him, so I don't know which day or where on holiday he will choose to do it just like we looked at styles of rings together but he ordered the ring without me.

• we are pretty private people, it won't be in a restaurant etc...

• I don't want to propose to him & I don't mind what I'm wearing when it actually happens, just want a stylish coat for the trip.

But surely if you just want a new coat, you didn’t need all the proposal stuff in the thread.

Anyway, enjoy your trip and I hope you find a coat. I still think planning a trip for which a proposal will happen is a bit bonkers!

Surely if you know he is going to propose and you are presumably accepting, he has already done it, technically, and this trip is to celebrate your engagement. Not a proposal.

It all seems bonkers.

Totally bonkers!

People are so rude. Everyone does things differently and it sounds like they have a special couples trip planned and OP wants to feel special through looking her best.
I also vote looking for nicer brands through Vinted though as I don’t think you’d get anything super lovely for that budget brand new.

That said there is some nice stuff in the sales. Eg https://shop.mango.com/gb/women/featured/sale-50-off_d17456481

Personally I don’t think you can go wrong with a smart camel coat, they look good on blondes and brunettes. Nice cashmere scarf too. Black trousers / leggings / jeans, smart black boots. That’s what I’d wear. Loads of nice wool coats in the sales. If you want to make it easy just look on John Lewis or Next. They stock tons of brands of varying budgets.

A bit left field but my friend has this amazing cape. Every time she wears it she has people coming up to her randomly admiring it.

You could wear several layers under it.