- Blog
- Bios
- Boards
- Classifieds
- DIY
- Gallery
- Vendor Reviews
- Shop Weddingbee
Weddingbee boards
I got a fancy North Face coat this year from my mom, but every winter prior I have had an Old Navy coat. The wool ones are warm, they are affordable, and they have sizes that work for me (18).
http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=29916&vid=8&pid=793195
Oh my gosh! I can help you! I am in WI and I have become somewhat of an expert on warm coats.
This is pricey, but it is without a doubt the greatest winter jacket I have EVER had. Speaking from experience, you are going to want DOWN if you are going to be warm. Nothing else keeps me warm. My first winter here, I couldn't even stand going outside. This jacket is worth the price! It has a feminine cut, paired with 800 fill down, plus it is somewhat sylish (not super outdoorsy-looking) which will work for Chicago. I LOVE mine- and I am 6 feet tall, but it comes down and hides my butt and hits me mid-thigh.
Haha, if we are going sans-budget, I would recommend my coat:
And I am Minnesota, which is pretty much the most cold and miserable place ever. But I love it! Haha.
I have a Patagonia Down with It jacket. Go to a store and try it on, Patagonia jackets are slim cut. Then find last year's version online and pay less!
No matter what you buy, check out the hood. Most Patagonia jackets zip up to the chin and have pull string hoods. If your jacket has a loose hood, you need a good warm scarf.
@ILikePink: This coat is amazing! Just curious...do you have the XL? I only ask cause it seems we are similar size and sometimes XL coat fit great and sometimes too small. for instance my coat closet ranges from XL, XXL, and 1X. I love Minnesota accent. Do you have a Minnesota accent? OMG! LOVE IT. I would love living there! I love winter/the cold. i hate summer. i love the sun but not hot weather! LOL
@cbee:amazing coat but i am pretty sure that coat would make me look like a big marshmallow! LOL!
I have the XL. I probably have a Minnesota accent, although I'd like to think that I do not. It's definatly not like Fargo or New in Town or any Minnesota movie, haha.
I love living here because it is so clean! Every other state seems really dirty in comparision. And we have lots of trees, lakes, parks, etc.
@ILikePink:ahaha. I was thinking those movies. I had never thought of Minnesota as being a clean state....very interesting. I have also never been there...
I am so jealous of the parks/trees. We love the outdoors....especially mountain biking and walks!
Yeah, it spoils you to live here, because you are never more than a few blocks from a park or a lake. My inner-city block is lined with big huge trees. I love it here. I would love to live in Chicago for the sake of the 24/7 lifestyle, which we lack. But I really hate the White Sox, so I wouldn't survive long there!
@ILikePink: LOL! i hate the white sox and Cubs too! i grew up a huge cardinals fan...my dad said he would disown me if i became a Cubs fan. One great benefit of the move...we will be closer to Green Bay!
Get a Canada Goose parka! It comes in longer lengths and will keep you super warm all winter! It's the jacket that's worn in the US Antarctic Program.
I am a die-hard Twins fan, so our sweet new stadium is just one more reason to love living here. Haha, I have to keep talking about how awesome it is as we are prepping for 16" of snow.
daniellealys No it doesn't!/ won't! It accentuates my waist- it is the best fitting down one I have had. I highly recommend Patagonia. Good luck!
As much as I love the coat suggestions, I work in an office and like to be work appropriate and good for going out. What do you think of these? warm enough?
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=480649&CategoryID=34049&LinkType=
@wavyhair- My mom has a Canada Goose jacket that is like, 11 years old and still super warm and awesome. But those things, yikes, $400-$600 is a hard hit to the wallet.
Those are lovely, but I would be freezing in them!
http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/patagonia-womens-down-with-it-parka?p=28436-0-671
Depends how long you have to be outside. I think as long as you have a good scarf/mittens/hat you should be warm enough.
Even in my office, people just wear parkas over our nice clothes. But -30 is no weather for thinking about style.
I'm from the south, so I had a miserable time when I first moved to Chicago. I had a good wool coat, but in it I was nowhere near as warm as I was when I finally broke down and bought a down coat. I have this one and love that it lets you have a waist: http://www.thenorthface.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=120889&storeId=207&catalogId=10201&langId=-1&from=subCat&parent_category_rn=11719&variationId=67B
Wow...I guess there is no way around spending 200-300 huh?
Heavyweight down and knee-length is what you need! I also think The North Face is well worth the price. Bonus points if it has fleece in the pockets and a really good insulated hood!
DO NOT SKIMP AND GO WITH THE CHEAP STUFF. You will regret it. You will spend every day hating life as you trudge in sub zero weather with a jacket that is woefully inadequate. Also, wool is crap for the dead of winter. Not nearly enough insulation. Every so often I see someone in Boston in January with a wool coat on, and I seriously think they need to be committed.
Also, you're going to have to give up the idea of "looking cute". I have cute wool/cashmere coats like what you posted - those are my fall/spring coats. You will seriously hate yourself if that's all you have for the winter. You will need to build up a coat wardrobe for the different seasons - no getting around it!
I have both North Face and Land's End down coats. The Land's End coat is similar (or better) quality to the North Face and about 1/3 of the price (plus, they are always having great sales). With North Face, you are really paying more for the label- its just not necessary if you are on a budget.
I also think that the North Face items are as flattering in larger sizes (I'm a 12/14; XL in NF). My Land's End seems to fit better.
Alright ladies...after all your thoughts and suggestions i ended up purchasing the following coat in black:
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=480631&CategoryID=269&LinkType=
What do you think? Very nice coat, warm and stylish. I just hope it is warm enough! I just could not spend $300 on a coat....its just not me! So i found a coat that was originally $300 but on sale for $100 (at the time i purchased it!) it is a tad tight in the arms but oh well. Right now i am in between XL and plus size so i got the XL (did not come in plus) and it fits fine just a tad snug in arms. i have recently gained about 15lbs...i am hoping i can get it off soon! Just started P90X today...
@bestbuddies: Did you read the reviews before you bought it? Hope you're happy with it in the end.
I love my Lands End and Patagonia jackets too.
Here's my coat and I can attest that it is indeed very warm and reasonably priced too. For some reason it looks green in the pic but it's really brown.
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=480856&PseudoCat=se-xx-xx-xx.esn_results
coat.jpg (19 KB, 9 downloads) 1 year old
@smyley: I did and the top is too small! I am a big chested girl but I got the XL and it is too tight. It is smashing my boobs down! UGH. I guess I am returning it tomorrow...
do down coats usually run smaller? If they all fit like that one I am going to need a plus sized coat :(
Have you checked out a Burlington Coat Factory? They have them up here (not sure about Chicago), and you can get super good deals on really nice, warm coats there. I too, live in the miserable tundra known as Minnesota and it's worth it to spend the cash for a warm jacket. You'll have it for a couple of years and you'll thank yourself for not going cheap once it gets below zero :) Minnesota isn't all bad (nice nature, good economy and schools), but our winters are not for the faint of heart lol!
I would recommed wool or down for sure, otherwise the North Face jackets are nice too. Either way, a good warm jacket is worth spending the money on. I have a knee-length wool peacoat in grey that I've worn for two years. $300 and worth every cent!
You must log in to post.
| Visit our sister sites | eHarmony Online Dating |
eHarmony Advice Dating Advice |
Project Wedding Wedding Songs |
JustMommies Pregnancy Calendar |
Create the honeymoon of your dreams.
| User | Posts Today |
|---|---|
| rachgirl82 | 39 |
| pengoala | 33 |
| kate02121 | 12 |
| ndreighton | 11 |
| Indecisivebride2012 | 10 |
| louiseW | 10 |
| Lyndzo | 9 |
| msdragon | 9 |
| Beckster329 | 9 |
| Joyful80 | 9 |
Sorry, there are no users yet.
Alright Chicago Bees I need your help.
I am currently a Indiana bee and will be a illinois be in the next couple of weeks! :)
Even though i am used to cold weather...cold in chicago is a lot different than here. I need a new coat but i need some help. I am a plus sized gal (16) and need some advice. I am very modest and dont do snug, flashy stuff. I am thinking black or dark grey. i want a long coat that is going to cover my big butt and keep my thighs warm. I will be walking to the bus and then getting on the L. I need specific suggestions. like brands and stores. Also, you better believe I am on a serious budget! LOL