Need help finding a stylish but warm winter coat.

October 4, 2015 7:27 PM

My old pea coat has finally been laid to rest. After last year's brutal winter, I was thinking of upgrading to something a little warmer. But I'd also like it to be something I can wear with business attire, so I'm leaning towards something like a wool overcoat. Can you name some brands that have quality (i.e. warm) women's winter jackets?

To be clear, I'm agnostic on the actual material. What I really care about is having something that has clean lines and looks nice with a suit. Ideally something modern enough in its details that I don't end up looking like Pat Nixon. But fleeces and puffy coats and polar-arctic-tactical etc. are right out. Looking to spend $100-$200, might bend if I fell in love.

posted by Diablevert to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (16 answers total)

I like J.Crew's thinsulate-lined wool coats, and I hear their stadium-cloth is also warm. A bit out of your price range, though; I paid around $260 before tax for my Lady Day Coat (wool with thinsulate, classic knee-length shape) when it went on sale for 30% off full price.

I'm also assuming that your temperature requirements aren't below, like, 20F on average in the winter and you'll do basic winter layering (cashmere sweater, wool tights, scarf, gloves, hat). YMMV depending on your own tolerance, but if your old peacoat didn't feel utterly inadequate then thinsulate or extra-thick wool should be a nice upgrade without venturing into puffers. I do know at least one Boston-based style blogger who has several JC Thinsulate-lined Lady Day Coats.
posted by serelliya at 7:47 PM on October 4, 2015

Came to say the same.
posted by dame at 8:11 PM on October 4, 2015

Yep, I was going to suggest the Thinsulate-lined J Crew coats.

I upgraded, thanks to Gilt, to a Marc Jacobs wool coat and it is INSANELY warm and great. But before that: J Crew.
posted by Countess Sandwich at 8:12 PM on October 4, 2015

Yes to J.Crew thinsulate. Check eBay. LL Bean's thinsulate-lined coats are also pretty warm, like this one. Or maybe Lands End.
posted by three_red_balloons at 8:12 PM on October 4, 2015

Seconding the LL Bean recommendation. They've got several coats that aren't as boxy or outdoorsy as their reputation might suggest, and the quality and warmth are generally excellent.
posted by Diagonalize at 8:15 PM on October 4, 2015

Although I am a man I would also like to suggest the J. Crew wool coats with Thinsulate lining. I do not like wearing ski jackets or puffers in the winter unless the weather in seriously inclement (i.e. "wintry mix" or heavy snow) and I have found the J. Crew coats to be plenty warm enough with basic winter layering.
posted by andrewesque at 8:24 PM on October 4, 2015

Fifth-ing the J Crew Thinsulates. They are on sale for 25% off, so do it now if you're picky about colors and have a popular size (small, medium). If you want to take your chances, there's usually a better sale right before Thanksgiving. Call or visit the local store to make sure you're getting the perfect size- they have tall and petites on many also- and a great fit matters so much w/ tailored clothes! The sales associate will also let you know if a great sale is coming up soon, or stock is very low.
posted by TenaciousB at 8:34 PM on October 4, 2015

I have some fancy and beautiful winter coats and jackets but the warmest is definitely the Patagonia Tres Down Parka. It may not be stylish enough but it will certainly be warm enough! (I got mine at a super-reduced price towards the end of the season last year.)
posted by smorgasbord at 8:53 PM on October 4, 2015

I really like Zara's coats. They're pretty stylish and well witihin that price range.

I had this one for a while.
posted by pando11 at 9:49 PM on October 4, 2015

I've gotten loads of compliments on my Land's end wool coat last winter and it kept me warm even when it hit -17c, but sizes run small.
posted by peppermind at 3:56 AM on October 5, 2015

Thanks for all the suggestions, guys. Keep 'em coming. Looks like I have a J. Crew outlet near me, perhaps I'll check that out.
posted by Diablevert at 5:03 AM on October 5, 2015

Zara's coats are AMAZINGLY stylish. I would definitely pay the store a visit. I'm a huge fan of their dusters.
posted by SkinsOfCoconut at 6:08 AM on October 5, 2015

Not sure if this is too technical for you, but I've gotten great mileage out of the Merrell Lohri. A bit above your price range, but I think I got a previous year's model on sale. The ruff zips off to make it a bit less wild (but works great for snow and wind outside), and the lines are clean and the dark color has worked well to dress it up. It's also very warm, waterproof, and not too puffy. I've worn it to the opera and felt completely appropriate.
posted by stillmoving at 6:42 AM on October 5, 2015

Be aware that J. Crew Factory Outlet does NOT have the same quality coats as the regular stores, because J. Crew creates cheaper versions of their clothes to sell in the outlets. I imagine that most/all of the recommendations for J. Crew coats are for the actual store and not the Factory versions. For summery cotton skirts it's not a big deal, but for a winter coat I would be a lot more wary of the shortcuts taken in the lining, construction, etc.
posted by gatorae at 6:51 AM on October 5, 2015

Hello again! I also popped back in to say that you should go to a J. Crew store and not a J. Crew outlet, although the prices in the store are unfortunately higher. I've looked at the coats they carry in the outlets and the quality of the wool was definitely lower -- thinner wool, no Thinsulate, perhaps a wool-acrylic blend, etc. In my opinion it's worth spending the extra to get the coat from the store.

(BTW, if you happen to know any college students or teachers or be one yourself, J. Crew offers a 15% discount in all their brick and mortar stores.)
posted by andrewesque at 7:07 AM on October 5, 2015

Definitely check out Patagonia. They have very nice looking and warm 3-in-1 parkas. They also have a very generous return policy and can do repairs.
posted by zennie at 7:26 AM on October 5, 2015