I want a winter coat this cute AND warm.

December 2, 2008 8:19 PM

I am a woman in toronto, and I want to buy a winter coat that is both stylish and warm. Not stylish or warm, stylish AND warm. It's a harder combo to find than you think.

I live in downtown toronto, so I walk a lot (i walk to/from work about 3.5 km away, every day), and I'm tired of either being cold on my walk or stupid looking when i arrive at work in a ski jacket.

Here's what I'm looking for:
- Mid-thigh to knee length
- Down filled
- No belt, no super shiny material (these two are very common this season , it seems.)
- Fashionable & flattering
- I'd prefer a colour other than black, but am flexible.
- Max price preferably $500, but willing to pay more for the BEST JACKET EVER.

I found a couple of jackets from Soia & Kyo that I liked, but this one was strangely unflattering on me, and this one is owned by too many people I know. But that should give you an idea of the kind of styles i've looked at.

Any ideas for brands, stores, or specific jackets? Available anywhere in toronto is fine, but downtown or on the subway line is best.

Thanks!

posted by Kololo to clothing, beauty, & fashion (12 comments total)

This might be a last resort, but there's always those knee-length TNA down parkas from Aritzia. They're $300-ish. I'm no fan of TNA and the jacket is kind of overpriced for what it is, but they're warm, the colour selection (at least last season) is alright, and they're pretty versatile.
posted by thisjax at 8:45 PM on December 2, 2008

I have this Spiewak down jacket that was maybe $200 at the Queen&Yonge Urban Outfitters in 2006. It's pretty warm as it is, and with a thin long sweater cardigan under it (a recent steal for $25 at Suzy Shier) it's toasty-awesome. The coat is a pretty plain, classic deisgn that I've seen around for a few years so if you like it, you should still be able to find one. Black, burgandy, brown, charcoal, and kelly green are the colours I've seen. Caban used to have them, as did Noise (which has horrendous service and an awful, attitude-filled, arbitrary, non-standardized, and petty return policy, buyer beware, that place sucks). Most skatery shops should have Spiewak outerwear.

Also, Artizia (beware- bad Italian synth-pop autoplays at that site) has that TnA-brand parka that every woman between the ages of 12-37 in Toronto owns. And Over The Rainbow in Yorkdale has a bazillion jackets, including the Canada Goose ones that are questionably "stylish" but suuuper warm and kind of cool/rugged looking. You could also check out Girl Friday (College & Ossington area). I like Soia & Kyo's stuff too, and Kitchen Orange is another good brand for cool outwear.

Good luck! I also undertook this same search last winter in Toronto, and I didn't find it at all easy to find something I liked.
posted by pseudostrabismus at 8:49 PM on December 2, 2008

I personally avoid the TNA jackets from Aritzia even though they fit all my criteria, specifically because of the "every woman between the ages of 12-37" factor. Those jackets are EVERYWHERE.

I had forgotten about Over the Rainbow! And you're like the third person to suggest Girl Friday to me - so i think i'll check it out.

Good start!
posted by Kololo at 8:55 PM on December 2, 2008

I love my jacket. Very warm (like wearing a sleeping bag!) and I think stylish.
posted by i_am_a_fiesta at 9:04 PM on December 2, 2008

Calvin Klein makes cool winter coats sometimes although they aren't down. I have one like this but with a different collar, it's very warm.
posted by fshgrl at 9:13 PM on December 2, 2008

The Bay and Sears should have a fairly large collection of down coats from a range of brands, though you will have to wade through a bunch of non-stylish stuff. For example Sears has this one from Land's End that doesn't look too bad.

If you're willing to chance an online order Overstock.com has some good deals on coats right now. You may also be able to find a brand you like there and track it down locally. This Cole Haan coat, for example, might be available at the Cole Haan store in Toronto.
posted by sanitycheck at 9:17 PM on December 2, 2008

Stylish and down-filled at the same time is pretty damn challenging.

I'd stick to wool. And yes, I know Toronto weather. HEAVY wool.
posted by rokusan at 10:00 PM on December 2, 2008

Sanitycheck, i was checking out Overstock this evening (although I am wary of ordering online - i believe strongly in the Try On, i thought it might give me ideas to pursue locally, as you suggested), and the jacket that I liked and bookmarked is EXACTLY the coat you linked to! Great minds think alike, again! (Fshgrl - i also love the Calvin Klein jacket you suggested. I'm wary of some artificial down-substitutes, though. When you say it's warm - how cold out is it when you're wearing it?)
posted by Kololo at 10:02 PM on December 2, 2008

I purchased a Canada Goose Solstice jacket last winter that is extremely warm and somewhat fashionable. Unfortunately, this year it seems that everyone has a black Canada Goose parka, which is a bit of a bummer but they're good coats so I don't blame them :) I liked this style because it covers my butt and has a bit of a waist so I don't look like a shapeless mass. No belt, I hate belts. Good luck in your search!
posted by LunaticFringe at 8:49 AM on December 3, 2008

I have been doing massive amounts of coat shopping lately too and like.com has been really helpful. It's a visual shopper so you can click on one you like and it shows you more items like it.
posted by CwgrlUp at 5:52 PM on December 3, 2008

My roommate has the warmest coat ever - it's a Mountain Equipment Co-op purchase. While not down-filled - I've had really good luck with Lorne (on Spadina just north of King). They have all kinds of wool coats and will alter sleeves etc. for you.
posted by machine at 11:50 AM on December 5, 2008

To answer your question about the CK coat, I have one of their down-substitue coats from last year (it's a slightly different style -- different collar and a belt, which is why I won't link to it). I wore in Chicago all last winter, and the coat was very warm. The week of New Year's, it was 0 degrees (F) without wind chill, and it was fine. I borrowed my friend's down-filled coat a few times, and it wasn't any warmer than my CK one. I have no idea about the temps in Toronto, but Chicago gets pretty cold!
posted by bluefly at 2:08 AM on December 7, 2008