Winter coat ideas gratefully received!

[NoHangoversToday]

Morning!

I'd love to hear thoughts and ideas by my esteemed fellow MNetters.

I don't have a winter coat. I have some raincoats that will do, but I am keen to finally find a nice winter coat.

Thing is, I am short and dumpy with a large menopausal tum. Big thick coats or puffer jackets make me look HUGE. But I don't know what suits me at all. I bought a Burberry trench (second hand) years ago and looked like a mushroom. I love the look of wool/cashmere blends but doubt I want something that thick. I'd like something sophisticated, but I suspect very light weight. I think mid-thigh length as I am only 5 ft 1.

I have googled- I have put the requirements into Chat GPT and I have perused Vinted, but can't find anything that really fits. Budget up to about £150 I guess.

I have always been impressed at the creativity and knowledge of S&B Mnetters so if anyone has a brain wave I'd simply love to hear it.

It's hard to say what will suit you without knowing / seeing you .
Can you not go into a shop and try on different styles of coat maybe somewhere where you can have a good browse like M&S or John Lewis ? Fellow 5ft here .

As a fellow short person, was size 18, I strongly prefer petite coats for a better fit.

My last wool coat I bought was from Ebay. Lands End and Seasalt is good for petite ranges. If you're going puffer, look for ones where the stitching is on a slant/diagonal rather than horizontal.

Hmmm.... I am looking at Lands end now, thank you.

What do people think of this? It looks lightweight, not too bulky. I'd wear it unbuttoned I expect unless very cold.

www.landsend.co.uk/Womens_Soft_Fleece_Shacket/pp/P_45056.html?dwvar_P__45056_sizeVariation=59&dwvar_P__45056_color=322&cgid=11299&pageType=fp

It might be a bit too like a shirt, though. Hence why i would wear it unbuttoned.

Not suitable for winter.

That shacket is not a winter coat though! So you'll still be looking for something warm and at least water resistant.

Look at the Uniqlo seamless down range. Very warm and lightweight. I have several in different thicknesses. I am not petite though.

I bought a mens down coat from Uniqlo. I'm on the petite side and the XS worked as it's shorter than the coats they sell for women

But obviously no good if you want something smarter. Have you looked at Mango?

I’ve got this tweed coat from Hobbs and end up wearing it most of the time in winter. I actually bought it a couple of years ago in May, so it was in the spring collection and it is very lightweight but perfectly warm enough for me in my peri state in the South East. I tend to wear it with a lightweight cashmere jumper underneath. Edited to add there’s a petite cut version! https://www.hobbs.com/product/evangeline-tweed-coat/0126-3425-9845L00-BLACK.html?utm_source=google&utm_source_platform=google_ads&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=NEST_Hobbs_UK_EN_BoF_Shopping_Brand_Control&utm_id=23803862579&utm_content=agid_201921004991-ad_820117020466&network=g&device=m&targetid=pla-2209485598230&utm_tpl=live&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23803862579&gbraid=0AAAAADC5o-KyitthyTYm90MmAZNt2AQ6b&gclid=CjwKCAiA2MDXBhBUEiwAD-YB-8-lsx2IUh2Iz0n-c3jcEvj2Erm1m_uR0suzAw7sR2bODJJeMsyA6xoCeR4QAvD_BwE

I have a similar coat from Jigsaw which I wear with a merino jumper. Warm enough for London.

I like that VERY much, thank you.

Checking jigsaw now, thank you!

A couple of weeks ago I bought a red thing from Vinted. It's lovely, but I look ridiculous in it. So I probably do need to gird my loins and try things on IRL. I hate shopping. (And it shows, tbh).

I have a long belted wool petite coat from Whistles which is a couple of years old but you might find a similar one from their petite range. Paid around £100 on sale

Phase eight have a sale on

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/petite-aurelie-peacoat-950855351.html

For bargain or lower budget browse MandMDirect or Bon Marche

I agree the pale blue isn’t for Winter.

I think a military coat is a good style. Smart if you’re dressed up but looks good with jeans.
Mines from La Redoute but a few years on.

This one in M&S is short and with 20% off.
Single Breasted Longline Coat by M&S

As a fellow short person I find mid thigh is the absolute worst length for making me look dumpy. I wear short jackets (usually described as cropped but waist to hip bone length on me) or long coats - to or past my knees.

I have just bought the uniqlo seamless down coat and whilst it’s not as flattering as a fitted wool coat it’s lighter and a lot more practical. Uniqlo is good for petites ime as they make for small frames with narrower shoulders etc than many US or EU brands.

If you want a wool style fitted coat then look at Karen Millen who does a lot of styles in petite. Often on sale too and there is a permanent outlet section. Ted Baker also good but not petite. I find double or wrap shape and with a bit of in and out shape is more flattering than straight up and down.

this is a nice Karen Millen for example.

These are M&S and great value. I’d go longer or pea coat length. Double breasted might make you look wide so go for single button. If, for example, the grey coat is a bit long, just get it taken up. But I’d embrace a longer length. When I was larger, belted just emphasized my tum. Sleek front is better.

What will you be wearing under it, OP? Trousers or jeans? If so, what style? And if you intend to wear skirts or dresses, what style & length?

IMO the three-quarters or knee-length coats that are shown above won't work with longer skirts or dresses - you'd need either a short winter jacket, or longer coat that passes the hemline. But they're the right length for jeans/trousers (& that's what they've been paired with).

If you like the look of wool/cashmere coats but are concerned about them being too warm, unlined coats/jackets might suit? I have a great unlined wool wrap coat from Jigsaw that I layer up when it's colder.

Though I think they design for taller women on the whole, so a petite-cut coat would be better.

What colours do you usually wear, & do you want something bright or more neutral?

It is a nice style, yes - but "wool look"??? That's so cheapskate! Why even pretend?

What size are you btw, OP?