These freezing temperatures have got me thinking hard about my cold weather apparel, specifically and most importantly, my winter coat.
Every time I go to get a new coat, I always seem to walk away with a purchase, which although cute, fails the sub-freezing temperature test.
Over the years, I’ve learned some lessons the hard way, and this time around, I plan on getting a winter jacket that will not only be warm and cozy in even the toughest of gales, but also see me through multiple winters to come. And if it’s not too much to ask, I’d also like to look at least a little bit cute through it all.
Here’s the five non-negotiables on my winter coat check-list. And if the jacket hunting gets you down, just repeat like a mantra, “winter can’t last forever.”
1. Check The Length.
Before you walk out the door with your new, cute outerwear, make sure to check that the jacket is a length that suits the rest of your wardrobe. If you wear mostly knee-length dresses and skirts, don’t get a coat that hits you mid-thigh and vice versa. Unless you’re going for one of those full-body, cocoon type-jackets, in which case, no laws of fashion apply. (And on some days I am very, very jealous of you.)
2. Big Pockets
Make sure you have lots and lots of pocket room because on chilly days ahead, you’re going to want to be able to stuff your hat, gloves, phone and more in there! Small pockets means a long winter filled with lost mittens and cold hands.
3. Make Sure It Closes!
Check to see how the jacket fastens and make sure it button, snaps, or zips all the way up. Sure that open front coat looks really cool, but when a snowy breeze blows your way you might as well not be wearing it!
4. Does It Have A Hood?
So, I guess saying this is a non-negotiable is too strong a phrase. A hood is not a mandatory coat feature, however, it really never hurts anything. Hats are great and do amazing things for keeping you warm, but pop a hood on top of that, especially in a snow storm, and you are winter ready.
5. What’s It Made Of?
Always, no matter what you’re buying, before you take it to the checkout, hell, before you even try it on, check the fabric! This is crucial because, first of all, you’ll immediately have a much clearer understanding of the garments quality and worth, versus the store’s price, and secondly, you’ll be able to tell how warm it will be. Make sure if you’re buying something wool that it’s always the biggest percentage on the tag and avoid acrylic!
Last, but not least, make sure you love the way you look!
Do you Lovelies have trouble buying winter coats? What are some of your winter jacket buying secrets? How do you stay warm when the temperatures start to get lower and lower?
daffodil / 1615 posts
Make sure your jacket has a decent liner and insulation. Thinsulate is absolutely the best thing ever because it keeps you super warm without it being bulky like down lining, so you don’t have to feel like the Michelin man in your coat.
I have an Oakley jacket from a couple years ago and the one thing that I really like about it is that there’s a magnet on the back of the hood, so when you aren’t wearing it, it stays out of your way. There’s also fleece on the inside covering the zipper so my face doesn’t get scratched by it AND it has a little pocket for my iPod and a port for my headphones so they don’t get caught up in my zipper. It’s seriously the best jacket ever.
guest
@ask_ashleyyy@xanga - what she said. If it is actually cold, then fashion pretty much goes out the window. Your going to take the coat off when you reach your destination anyway.
orchid / 248 posts
If you go for a short jacket get one that you can cinch in the bottom, no one likes cold air blowing up their jackets!
Buy a looser fit so you can wear a hoodie underneath on those -40 CELSIUS days, the extra hood will also help
Find a jacket with a detachable hood if they bother you, make sure the jackets collar comes up high on your neck especially if the hood buttons on(there will be little gaps the wind will sneak through)
Aim for a jacket with a double closure like a zipper then a flap that snaps and covers the zipper, cold can sneak through uncovered zippers.
Squeeze the hell out of the jacket when you are trying it on BEFORE you buy it, down/feather jackets can have sharp feathers that will stab and scratch you to pieces if you aren’t careful.
guest
I thought I had the perfect winter coat this year. It’s stylish, comfortable, and follows all the rules above…or so I thought. I go out in the cold and try to stuff my hands in the pockets only to discover that they were fake! I looked at the other pockets around the coat, and even the zippered ones lead to nothing. They aren’t the sewn shut kind, just pure falseness. So, always check the pockets on your coat before you buy it. I learned my lesson.
cherry blossom / 29 posts
If you live in a cold climate, make sure you have a fur trimmed hood! I live in Canada, and the fur trim on my hood has seriously saved my face more then once! Having fur trim (real or faux) is a great way to keep snow/wind from your face and can seriously reduce the amount of wind burn that you can experience in winter.
Also, I cannot recommend checking pockets and a high collar! Sometimes a scarf isn’t enough, and being able to zip up your collar so it covers your chin can mean that you can pull your scarf higher to cover your mouth/nose.
orchid / 191 posts
I always make sure my coats have a hood; you can never go wrong with having a hood – i’ve regretted every hoodless jacket I have ever purchased. For me, it keeps my head and face warm without messing up my hair too much like a hat would.
guest
It ultimately depends on where you live. If you live in an area that really only goes down into the 30′s, you can be pretty flexible. If you’re in an area where teens and sub zero temps are the norm, you’re going to have to forget the whole fashion aspect. I learned the hard way when I moved from NC to Chicago. I thought my pretty white wool peacoat would be sufficient. Wrong. SO WRONG.
This year I invested in a knee length down parka from Eddie Bauer that’s meant for 0 degree weather. They’ve actually done a very good job in creating a warm coat without the marshmallow effect. Mine is very slim looking and thin (I got it in crimson red), and when it first arrived in the mail I initially thought there was NO WAY it could possibly keep me warm! However, since it’s made with premium feathers, it’s actually done an amazing job of keeping me toasty in our cold snaps.
Anyway, enough of my novel. My suggestion: if you’re in a very cold climate, do your research!! Stores like Eddie Bauer and Northface will advertise what temps the jackets are made for. Look what people say about them.
guest
This year, I have noticed lots of girls (and guys) sporting high-end jackets from Nobis, Canada Goose, Moose Knuckles, etc. They are supposed to be extremely warm, so much so that you can get away with wearing nothing more than a t-shirt inside. Some styles are also very fitted and fashionable. How do you justify paying $500 and up for a jacket, even if it’s as warm as people rave about it to be? Most are dry-clean only due to the high down content and I cynically believe that most people buy them just to make a statement that they can afford them. I’m not even sure that they are worth it, and I’d be afraid of it getting soiled or stolen. That being said, I’m very afraid of the cold and have yet to find a winter parka worth investing in.
guest
That picture is so misleading. I came here to find tips on buying a winter jacket for mY CAT. gawd. /unsubscribed ~~