Got a coat, but not the one I set out looking for

[dreamshark]

I never did find a long down coat, except for one horrifyingly ugly one at the Land's End Inlet that looked like the love child of the Michelin Man and Frosty the Snowman. So that niche in my wardrobe is still unfilled. But I found a coat at Penney's (thank you for the suggestion, cowfan* ) that is the perfect replacement for the one I lost. Like the old one, it's a mid-weight poly-fill winter coat with a suede-like texture. However, this one has a more tailored cut, interior pockets, and snaps as well as zipper closure. It also had an unusably large hood with the most hideous faux fur you've ever seen (apparently fake Purple People Eater Fur). Fortunately, with the high neck and dual closure options, I don't need the hood, which at least had the good taste to be detachable. I've thrown the hood into the donation box for the homeless shelter, along with the heavy coats with problematic snaps or small tears and the piles of gardening gloves that my father-in-law always gives everybody for Christmas.

The coat was technically rated for temperatures from 29 - 40 degrees, which is utterly ridiculous. My V-necked leather jacket is comfortable down to about 10 degrees if I wear a scarf. This coat is very comparable to my old black one, which was perfectly adequate down to about zero. Below that, I'll layer in the little black down vest I picked up on sale at Land's End and I should be fine for the remainder of the winter.

Thanks to my friends for the suggestions. I'm now noticing coats everywhere I go. I still would like a long down coat for the depths of cold weather, but it's not a necessity.

My new coat St. John's Bay (J.C. Penney's house brand).

Comments

[dd-b.livejournal.com]

The temperature ratings confuse me, too. Mostly I find coats useful to considerably colder than they're rated for, same as you.

I need MUCH more insulation if I'm standing around than if I'm shoveling snow or something (or even just walking), of course. I don't know what activity level the ratings are intended for.

[cakmpls.livejournal.com]

Oooooh, pretty!

[cowfan.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'm glad Penney's had a good coat for you. I love the color! (Were you able to find a coupon or get it on sale?) I got my last coat/jacket there and I like it. I don't usually use the hood because it's too big, but if it's snowing heavily I might.

[dreamshark.livejournal.com]

I didn't bother looking for a coupon, but it was WAY on sale - marked down from $200 to $80. $200 seems way overpriced, to be honest. I looked at a lot of these coats and found some with quality issues - zippers that were hard to start, missing snaps, etc. and the fake fur on the hood was cheap-looking. At $80 it seemed like a good deal, though, and it fits well.

[skylarker.livejournal.com]

Nice coat! - looks warm and attractive. :)