I love my new coat. I love my new coat SO MUCH. I love my new coat SO MUCH that I am poised to do an uncompensated infomercial for it, right here and right now.
My old winter coat is a Perfectly Good Coat. It’s from L.L. Bean and I got it on one of their really good clearances a number of years ago. It is a color of green I really like (the bright, leafy color—I think the color name was in fact “leaf”). It’s polyester-fill or whatever, and the outer surface is a nice-feeling one. But it is really more of a Late Fall Coat. At the bus stop every morning I freeze my bees.
Perhaps you have noticed that a good warm winter coat is EXPENSIVE. And that this is not a good time of year for a big cash outlay. And I totally hear you, and so if you don’t have the money to spend right now, perhaps you should look away because I am about to say something like “MORTGAGE YOUR HOME AND RENT OUT YOUR CHILDREN TO BUY THIS COAT,” and that would be SO disheartening if you’d already mortgaged your home and rented out your children for some OTHER purchase.
Anyway, I felt discouraged by the project of finding a coat, but I finally hit my coldness limit. I went to Lands’ End because I had a coupon, which I will give to you in the hopes that it will work (are these one-time use? here’s one I haven’t used: promotion code SANTA40 and pin #4517, but you can also just go to LandsEnd.com and I think you’ll see the offer in a big box on the home page), for 40% off one item, plus free shipping. And here was my basic search process: click Women’s, click Plus-Size, click Outerwear, click Down. I knew I wanted down instead of polyester this time, because one of the kids has a down jacket ($23 on clearance at Marshalls) and I’m jealous every time I put it on him.
Then I hit a snag in my search process because there were still a lot of options. I dithered around awhile. I figured out gradually that “jacket” means hip-length, “parka” means it covers the buttular region, and “long” means “I will feel trapped, like in a nightgown.” And then I shopped by color, because I look like the wrath of Target in black and brown, and white is way too optimistic, and grey is a good color on me but also makes me feel like it isn’t much fun to be spending so much money on a new coat. That brought me down to two choices, and I showed them to Paul and he made a little scoffing noise and said “Definitely that one. The other one is just ‘a coat,’ but this one is cute.” That’s right: I got a man to give a considered opinion about a piece of women’s clothing. Plus, he chose the significantly more expensive one.
Here it is, My Coat:
(this is a screenshot yoinked right from Lands’ End,
and that link I just made goes directly to that product)
(If you read me in a feed reader, you should really click through to see how close the coat color is to the color of my blog background.)
Here are the things that worried me, before ordering:
1. I haaaaaaaate fake fur. (I don’t mean I hate it on OTHER PEOPLE: for example, I think it’s quite cute on the model. I mean I hate it on ME.) I think it’s ugly: ugly color, ugly texture, not good with my coloring, gets all matted and icky, looks weird with my glasses. Plus it tickles and bothers me. But the description said the hood was removable, and I’m not accustomed to wearing a hood anyway so that should be fine.
2. Sometimes L.L. Bean and Lands’ End clothing is a little BOXY for me—like it’s made for a different body type. Maybe the cut wouldn’t flatter. But it LOOKED good: the waist seems to nip in.
3. I am QUITE pear-shaped, and so an item of clothing that is supposed to cover both the upper and lower pear regions doesn’t always work: it can be loose to the point of falling OFF me on top and be too tight down below. I wanted the parka length, but would it be too snug in the Lower Pear Quadrant?
4. I loved the color on the model, but would I be sorry I hadn’t gone for something more subdued and practical?
The coat arrived yesterday and I put it on and there is nothing but joy and love and little ladybugs flitting around singing songs of warmth and etc.
1. I had not sufficiently read the description: the fake fur is itself also removable. (If you read the description yourself, you are going to wonder how I possibly missed it, since it’s mentioned about three times. My only excuse is that I was stressed about coat selection, and also I kept thinking, “Yeah, yeah, I know the hood is removable”—without realizing it was talking about the TRIM.) So I have a hood, which is wonnnnnnnnderful and how was I surviving without a hood before? and with NO FAKE FUR. I wish I’d put this as #4 because it was the last thing I discovered and so the correct order of events is FIRST glorying in the coat and even coming to terms with the fake fur, and THEN thinking, “Hey, what is this little….is this a ZIPPER???” and having the heavens open up and the ladybugs start their joyous flitting.
2. The fit is GREAT. I think it’s quite flattering—as flattering as a warm winter coat can be, anyway. I feel CUTE. And sometimes a winter coat can make me feel HUGE, so this is a very pleasant feeling.
3. Lower Pear Quadrant worries were unfounded: not too snug in the buttular region, and not too big on top, either. I suspect this coat might in fact be designed for Pears.
4. THE COLOR, I LOVE THE COLOR SO MUCH. I’m so glad I went for it even though it’s a little Dramatic. I did the same with my previous coat (bought the bright leaf-green even though it seemed a bit STAND-OUT) and was happy with it every time I wore it, and it’s the same with this coat. Plus, how cute is it going to look with my hot-pink gloves?? SO CUTE!!
Additional note: 5. I was worried when I first took it out of the box because it seemed so THIN and LIGHT compared with my polyester coat. But I wore it to the bus stop and it was so warmmmmmmmmmmm. I’d forgotten my gloves but my hands were totally warm just in the pockets, which are lined with this super-soft comfy fleecey stuff. The neck of the coat comes up to scarf-height. I stood there thinking, “This is such a light coat, and yet I am not even FEELING this freezing breeze!!”
Let us turn to the subject of price. Ack, right? I have never spent $139.50 on a coat (they have it in non-plus-size, too, for $129.50). And I didn’t this time, either, because I had the 40% off coupon. Still, it was $83.70 ($77.70 for non-plus-size), and that is not change you find in the couch. But right now I am VERY HAPPY with that price.
[Edit: It seems to be sold out in every color but ivory now, but there are more colors in the jacket-length.]
Looks like a fabulous coat, glad you found one you love!
It is a perfect match with the blog!! I also giggle evert time you say “buttular.” love it in total! I need a new coat, too.
That is THE COAT I have been coveting since I decided this year that it’s okay to retire the coat I’ve been wearing since high school. The chevron patterning seems like it would look flattering-for-a-winter-coat, unlike my current puffer coat, which makes me look like “a coffee pot with a head” according to one of my first graders. Now I get to do my fretty dance while I choose between buying it now or waiting until after Christmas, when my preferred size and/or color will be picked over, but I will save an extra $20.
Nice! And, SO Swistle!
Becky- “A coffee pot with a head”—HA HA HA!
I bought the same coat for my daughters in kids sizes. I like the chevron pattern, I think it makes it more feminine. And one of the main reasons I chose these coats is because the fur zips (on the kids it zips) off. I love them BUT, the reviews talked a lot about zipper problems, and one of them after only 2 weeks of use, the zipper busted. I’ve looked around for other coats and just can’t find one I like better so I think I’m just going to take the chance and exchange it for a new one. Lands End exchange policy is so good, I figure if it happens again I’ll just exchange it again! So glad you like you coat! I love the color!!
Tracy H.- Oh, you’re right! It’s a zip on the women’s coat, too! It’s the HOOD that snaps on! I’ll go change it in the post!
Hah! I got a longish Lands End down coat too! However, mine doesn’t have the good chevron pattern, it has some like ugly swirling. And it is a sad shade of gray. Why did I buy this inferior coat you ask? Because it is WARM and because last march it was 30 bucks at Sears.
I keep the fur on though.
I am glad for you. Bus stop is the coldest time of day.
The director of my kid’s school has a coat this very color and I was just thinking how much I love love love the color. It’s bright and cheery without being obnoxious.
The price is worth it. Average the cost out over the number of years you will keep the coat. Add in the amount of love you have for the coat and see? Not expensive after all!
It sounds amazing! I love your reviews. They are so thorough and filled with terms like “buttular” and “Lower Pear Quadrant” that I find them a PLEASURE to read even if I am not in the market for the product you are reviewing.
I actually looked down at my own coat while reading this because it’s from Land’s End and looks very similar. Mine’s a slightly different style, turns out, but I had the same this-is-too-lightweight-to-be-warm reaction when I pulled mine out of the box. Mine is also so toasty and cute, and I got mine on clearance this past summer, so that was pretty awesome too. Congratulations on a cute, warm coat!
That is a REALLY GOOD PRICE for a truly warm down coat that is functional in winter. I want to have this coat too, now.
Also, I have found that I have never, ever regretted the purchase of a brightly colored coat. I think next winter, when our budget isn’t quite so tight and I’m not fighting The Belly, I will look for a long-term winter coat in purple.
I love Lands End’s coats. Love.
I have one from roughly a million years ago that is my “It is VERY cold out and there is no messing around” coat. It is a similar color and I am never ever cold in it. It’s puffier which is why it’s not my everyday coat but I always know this one is available when the cold is nothing to mess with – like bus stop mornings.
So cute! And Swistle colored!
I’ve been going back and forth between LLBean and Lands End the past 4 days deciding on which coat I want. The 40% coupon made my decision! Thanks! Mine is rate as “warmest” and I love the style. With the discount (no free shipping b/c it was less than $75), I only paid $49.88. Sweet. :)
For a coat that will last you more than one season, that is not a bad price at all!
I bought a ski jacket from them that seemed not puffy enough and was so suprised at its warmth without adding any extra un-needed bulk to my already bulky-ish frame. Land’s End is the best!
That light blue is my favourite colour! It looks great. Picture of you in it?
I live in a place where it is very, very cold and I wear a gigantic parka for months out of the year. It resembles a comforter, with a belt.
Wow, I love that colour! And I actually really like it with the fake fur too :) It matches beautifully! I think it’s time to do a little shopping of my own!!
I am so happy I read your post tonight! I LOVE that coat! I have the same body shape/issues you describe (LMAO @ lower pear quadrant). I immediately went to the Lands End website and ordered this coat (as my husband was still looking for a Christmas gift to get me). Only ivory was left, but I LOVE IT!!!! Can’t wait to get it. THANK YOU!!!!
That coat is lovely, and is making me think that it may be time to consider getting myself a new coat. I have an amazingly warm coat (one of those mortgage your house for it deals), but I’ve had it for like 10 or 11 years now so…
Same as Christina, went and bought it in ivory!
They should definitely be reimbursing you for this!
Swistle you crack me up. I love how you describe things.
How could you not love that color? It’s perfectly Swistle-colored! So cute.
I love the color of that! I might have to order one today…I’ve gotten a coat from Kohl’s twice but ended up returning them because the arms are not long enough. I guess I’m tempted to buy online but am a bit worried because I won’t be able to try it on in the store. Hmmm…
So beautiful! Officially the best coat ever! And as always, loving Paul.
I, too, bought my first expensive winter coat this year, also from Lands’ End. Mine is a wool peacoat that I’d marry if I could. Love yours. Love your detailed review.
Oh, I’m glad you found THE perfect coat for you!
I have love love loved my Land’s End coats – I usually go with something Dignified in Color – black, maybe blue (if it’s dark enough) – nothing flashy here!
Then I decided to what-the-heck let’s get Yellow! for a change. (Dog-walking time is oh-dark-thirty, and I figured Yellow! would be easier to see in the dark – for safety) (that, or I’m having a midlife crisis).
I LOVED the Yellow! coat, but the zipper finally got stuck and wouldn’t get unstuck, so, after a few days of pulling the half-zipped coat over my head (um, really?) I went ahead and ordered another coat – this time in Red!
Then I found little grey gloves that match the lining, and I feel so very “put together” now!
Lower Pear Quadrant…oh that made me laugh. I too have lots o trouble with that particular region. I bet you look adorable in your new jacket!
Love the color! So cute. A good coat is worth the money, as you now know. You will wear it for years and then the cost is minimal. I bought a deep purple wool coat last year, but I couldn’t wear it in the winter b/c I was pregnant. I hate cold weather but I am now a little better dealing with it because my coat is so cute.
I have THE SAME jacket except in Navy and I LOVE IT! Seriously I LOVE that coat! It’s very warm though doesn’t feel bulky when wearing it.
Oh Swistle, I LOVE this coat. I’m considering it right now but my quandary is: exactly how long is it?
I know they say the coats hit “mid thigh” or whatever, but I’m just over 5 feet tall and I’m not sure if the parka length would hit me around my knees. The jacket style looks short to me — I want something to come past my butt, definitely. I really wish they would give the actual length of the coat…what hits mid-thigh on a 5’10” model means nothing to 5 foot tall me, LOL.
How long would you say it is, for a short gal? I cracked up at your description of ‘I will feel trapped, like in a nightgown’ for the longer coat…I totally understand!
Wendi- Plus sizes are often longer than regular sizes (or at least they are in pants, which JEEPERS, I’m 5’9″ and the pants are always completely under my shoes), but I measured my coat and it’s about 33 inches from shoulder seam to hem.
THANK YOU, Swistle, for your reply — that length is what I was looking for!
I wanted to report back that I ended up getting the same coat but the color is Collegiate Orange (which I love, but I’m probably one of the few people who like orange, lol). I got the Petite (large), not because my body is tiny (HA, I WISH) but because I am short and my arms are short, and also, there were more colors in Petite (I didn’t want Ivory, ick).
I LOVE the coat so much! It’s the perfect length and it is so warm, plus I like the fact that I don’t look like the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man when I wear it. :D
Thanks again!!
~ Wendi
Wendi- Oh, I’m so glad! And isn’t it SO WARM for how thin it is?? When I took it out of the package I was thinking, “Uhh……this is not going to be warm enough,” but then I tried it out on a terrible windy freezing morning at the bus stop and WOW.