Lightweight fall/spring jacket, for petites?

November 9, 2018 6:56 AM

I need a new fall jacket, and I can't seem to find one. This is for DC weather, so think damp 40 to 50 degrees, with windy days on occasion. I work in a formal office, so I want one that can go with dresses and skirts (a trench, maybe?). Must be petite.

I should be able to find this easily, right? But I've ordered and returned two, one from Lands End and other from Nordstrom, because they were both extremely warm, even though they said "lightweight" in their description blurb. They were full-on winter coats, when they actually arrived in the mail. Links to jackets that have worked for you would be super helpful, and also shops that you know would carry a variety in the DC area would also be good. Thanks!

posted by backwards compatible to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (12 answers total)

Have you looked at Boden? They have a few macs that would work.
posted by stillmoving at 6:59 AM on November 9, 2018

Although Nau generally has declined in terms of style, durability and wow!, their coats and jackets have not. Very well made, extremely functional and I think they look good. They don't offer the trench I have anymore (which I use in damp 40-50 degree conditions), but this one might be good for your purposes.
posted by crush at 7:57 AM on November 9, 2018

I'm very petite and have never had luck ordering jackets online without trying them on first. In DC, I would recommend checking out the Uniqlo store in Union Station or at Tysons Corner. They have a lot of different options this time of year. Would definitely recommend trying them on in the store because their sizing can be inconsistent.
posted by bananana at 8:00 AM on November 9, 2018 [2 favorites]

I recommend LL Bean for this. I have three jackets that I really like from there. This one, which I own, might be perfect, because the inner lining zips out. I find that just wearing the shell isn't too warm at all for me. I am petite and it fits ok (a little long in the arms but not problematic). They have lots of other petite jackets, though, and are pretty specific and accurate about how warm they are in the descriptions.
posted by sockermom at 8:24 AM on November 9, 2018 [1 favorite]

I'd also second Uniqlo, especially if you're looking for an "elegant" down jacket, to the extent down can be elegant. Their sizes tend to run a little smaller than most brands specifically positioned at a US market (and in Asia the sizes are so much smaller that I have trouble fitting into their women's XL, to my total frustration!).
posted by tapir-whorf at 8:50 AM on November 9, 2018

Oh yeah, and if you're looking for more examples, here's Uniqlo's current lineup of wool and blended dressy-looking coats: Women's Wool Coats
posted by bananana at 9:06 AM on November 9, 2018

This at White House Black Market fits your description in terms of style/warmth, but while it's cozy, it isn't waterproof
posted by BlueBlueElectricBlue at 9:57 AM on November 9, 2018

I'm petite and love my London Fog trench with a removable lining.
posted by mrfuga0 at 10:07 AM on November 9, 2018

Oh bless you, sockermom. Not the OP but I've been on the hunt too and your coat looks like it will be perfect.
posted by TravellingCari at 10:19 AM on November 9, 2018 [1 favorite]

Perhaps not as dressy as you're looking for, but I'm very petite and just bought this rain jacket from LLBean, which I like quite a lot. It also comes in a longer coat version, which might suit you more. The lining zips out and the vented back makes it look a bit more feminine. The blue is really pretty in person. The sleeves are still a little too long on me but they cinch enough to not be a problem.
posted by HotToddy at 12:14 PM on November 9, 2018

I recently bought this London Fog Trench coat (link goes to petite, but it's also available in not petite sizing) from Macy's, and I really like it. I think it's perfect for fall/spring 40s-50s weather, including any wind or rain. (I'm up in Boston, and we've had a very rainy fall, but also relatively mild temperature wise.)

I have it in black, and the other thing I like about it is it dresses up or down pretty easily. The burgundy color also looks nice, if you don't want black. It's a very classic look, but it's slightly more modern than your standard double breasted trench coat. I've gotten a lot of use out of it already. It's definitely not winter coat weight, but it's warm enough for fall or spring weather. It's also very well made, and currently on sale for $100 (which is also the price I got it at).

Oh, another thing I like about it is that it has a hood. It's not a huge bulky hood, thankfully, but it's convenient to have if you get caught out in the rain.
posted by litera scripta manet at 12:29 PM on November 9, 2018

That London Fog coat is great. I bought a previous iteration of the burgundy one in 2011 (mine does not have a hood, but otherwise looks similar) and still wear it all through the fall. I am 5'2" and it comes to a few inches above the knee, which is perfect for me.
posted by basalganglia at 1:56 PM on November 9, 2018