Style & Beauty
North Face sizing?
claireinthecommunity · 18/11/2009 08:39
I'm thinking of ordering two North Face coats online, the Greenland jacket and the Metropolis Parka. I normally wear a size 10, sometimes a 12 - can anyone advise whether I should order a small or medium in each style?.
I've looked at the size guides but wondered if anyone had any experience of the coats.
(I know it would be better to try on in a shop beforehand but it's much easier for me to order online - and I can't quite stretch to ordering in both sizes)
Thankyou
claireinthecommunity · 18/11/2009 08:53
Thanks for the quick response and advice LIZS.
chimchar · 18/11/2009 08:57
i'm a size 12 and generous of nork.
i wear a ladies medium in my gilet and mens medium in my duvet style puffa.
i can wear a really good thick jumper underneath too, but they both look fine without too.
hth.
happy shopping!
upahill · 18/11/2009 09:08
I buy a lot of North Face for work and tend to go up a size in jumpers and jackets. If your likely to be wearing a jumper underneath go for medium. Small may be ok if your wearing t -shirts but you will feel a bit restricted.
The Greenland is a lovely coat. If I didn't have TNF Baker jacket plus numerous waterproofs as well as two duvet coats I would have it as well!!
claireinthecommunity · 18/11/2009 09:10
You lot are so helpful!
Thanks upahill.
chattermouse · 18/11/2009 11:21
Right! My advice for what it's worth:
Greenland - Are you tall? I once bought the Greenland and it is gorgeous, v.warm. But at 5ft 9.5 inch i was a bit to tall for it.It wasn't quite long enough in the sleeve and the belt was a little to high (it didn't sit on my natural waist). The small was the right width though and am an 8-10. So I would say, if you are tall, go for the medium as it will be a bit longer in the sleeves. I took mine back to shop for a refund as it just wasn't quite right for the money. If you are average height it will no doubt be perfect.
Metropolis - I tried this one on lately and i would say that it quite a generous size. I tried it in a small and it was plenty big enough for me. I would say it is a fair bit more generous than the greenland in size. The medium would have been too big on me.
Have you considered the North face artic Parka? It is the ultimate warm coat. A lot warmer than the Metropolis which felt very light by comparison. Winter won't be able to touch you in this bad boy. That is a promise! Re sizing, if you are a 10, defo go with a medium. The small is defo more like an 8 in it's fit. www.outdoorkit.co.uk/product.php?product_id=895
claireinthecommunity · 18/11/2009 15:51
Very interesting chattermouse. I'm not as tall as you (I'm 5ft 7") and had wondered if the Greenland would in fact be long enough for me.
I had considered the Arctic Parka and I think it would be my first choice overall but I can't find one anywhere in stock online, so that's why I'd thought about the Metropolis. I'm starting to go off the idea of the Metropolis though after what you've found (easily swayed me).
Think I'll do a bit more trawling and see if I can find myself the Arctic Parka!
Your input is much appreciated
claireinthecommunity · 18/11/2009 15:57
And as if by magic - have just found one in stock in size m - first online store I looked at!
Thanks again everyone
MrsMills · 18/11/2009 16:15
OOOh I have the arctic parka, and it's my favourite winter coat ever.
I find the sizing generous, which is a good thing if you're wearing jumpers underneath.
The only downside of this coat is it can be a little difficult to zip up and it puffs up when you put it on, a bit like a duvet. But I wouldn't swap it for anything.
chattermouse · 18/11/2009 16:38
Glad you've managed to find one Clare, they are beautifully warm and cosy. You won't get better for warmth. It is about 2 to 3 times warmer than the metropolis. It is long too so it'll keep the rain off you well. The hood is padded too so
I agree with Mrs mills re the zip, it can by a bit hard to do up due to the thickness of the padding. The trick is to do it up really slowley, then it is fine. One useful feature is that it unzips from bottom up or top down depending on how you want to wear it. If weather is warmer i undo from bottom and top so only an inch or so of the zip is done up in the middle of the coat iyswim. It looks nice like this. It has a internal media pocket too so good for ipod or phone. Even though i'm tall, this one fits me fine.
I hope you'll love it. Post and let us know how you find it!
claireinthecommunity · 18/11/2009 16:40
Thanks for the input MrsMills.
You said you've found the sizing generous with the Arctic Parka, if you don't mind me asking - what size do you normally take and what size did you go for in this coat?
claireinthecommunity · 18/11/2009 16:44
X post with you chattermouse. Thank you, yes I will report back and I think I'll go for the medium as this seems to be the consensus re the sizing.
chattermouse · 18/11/2009 16:54
i am usually an 8 in tops and a 10 on the bottom and i got the small. My shoulders are just right in it. But there is not lots of spare room iykwim. It was a much closer fit on the shoulders than the small metropolis was. Don't think it would have fitted my shoulders had i been a 10 on top. Maybe start a thread in style and beauty entitled 'what size north face arctic parka should i buy?'. Then you will draw out all the owners of one to give you a broader range of views! fwiw, you prob don't need to worry too much about space under it for lots of jumpers as it is so warm i often wear mine with just a t-shirt under!
And remember to buy it online with your credit card (rather than a debit card) if you have not bought from the website before .
claireinthecommunity · 18/11/2009 17:10
Good advice re the credit card!
Ok, I'm definitely a 10 on top with slightly broad shoulders, in the past (when I was a little younger) I could sometimes take an 8 bottom - never an 8 top. I can now even take a 12 top, so, I'm plumping for the medium.
Thanks so much chattermouse you've been a great help
Company I'm using quotes next day delivery if you order before 3pm, I'll either order tonight or tomorrow morning - so should have my parka on Friday
chattermouse · 18/11/2009 17:21
Good stuff! The hood is warm as toast too, it is all padded. My ears usually ache in the cold and the wind but the hood is so good it stops all that and i don't need to bother with a hat. Looks very Russian with all the fur too!
Looking forward to you reporting back when you have it!
MrsMills · 18/11/2009 17:52
I'm around a size 14 and found the large really roomy, but it's not a problem.
I started a thread on this coat a few weeks ago because I was so happy with it
claireinthecommunity · 18/11/2009 20:58
Chattermouse - my ears also ache in the cold and wind, it's good to hear the Arctic Parka deals with that issue.
MrsMills - I hope I will be just as happy!
Thanks again both of you
upahill · 18/11/2009 21:32
FWIW - I find TNF jumpers are on the small side. I am usually a 12 in everything from Whistles, Karen Millen, Berghaus, Mountain Equipment etc but I have bought up to a size 16 in their hoodies and jumpers just so that they are a slightly baggy loose fit. Tight outdoor clothes are no good unless it's a base layer!!
claireinthecommunity · 20/11/2009 16:29
My Arctic Parka arrived this morning as expected! (well done "this company") I think it was a great price, I also notice that both the small and medium are now out of stock.
So, what do I think of it and how does it fit?
It seems to me to be extremely well made, good material - colour and feel, with a lovely and soft faux fur trim on the hood (some faux fur can be itchy). It is soooo thickly padded (a good thing) I can see how warm it's going to be. Lots of zipped pockets and poppers to tighten around the cuff all add to the practicality of the coat.
The fit, I think for me the medium was the right choice. I tried it on whilst I was wearing a long sleeve t shirt and it felt right, not too tight - not too loose. There is room for me to wear thicker tops and jumpers underneath, although it looked fine with just the t shirt I had on. The appearance of the coat does make me look larger than I am but I was expecting this as it's a padded coat! I'm also hoping to fall PG soon (DH and I are TTC - that's why I joined MN) so, I'm also thinking ahead re the fit of the coat.
This coat is going to be great for those really cold days if you need to be walking or standing around outside.
I'm very pleased with this purchase, would highly recommend this parka to anyone, It's not cheap but I see it as one of those investments that you'll be wearing for years.
Thanks so much to all of you who posted their own experience and advice. I'm so pleased I discovered MN .
chattermouse · 20/11/2009 17:35
Good to hear that you are happy with it and that it is the right size! It is a super useful coat for the winter, bet you'll get lots of wear for years to come. I love mine. Lets hope it is freezing this weekend so that you can get out and about in it !
And all the best with ttc!
claireinthecommunity · 20/11/2009 17:57
Thank you chattermouse - Yes, bring on the cold weather .
chimchar · 21/11/2009 08:40
glad you like it!
i've had my NF puffa coat for about 13 years, it comes out every winter, and honestly, it still looks as good as new...
on a price per wear basis, its dead cheap!!!
claireinthecommunity · 21/11/2009 14:11
Yes, I figured I'd have this coat for many years - glad to hear of someone still using theirs 13 years on and it remaining in such good condition
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