Searching for outerwear

Another question! Laura asks:

I am moving to Chicago this winter and was wondering where a young plus size hipster can get a fashionable coat to keep her warm without breaking the bank. What should I look for in a coat?

Yay Chicago! It's been surprisingly warm here so far this fall so maybe the winter will be mild? And by mild I mean that you'll only lose one toe to frostbite instead of three. Hah!

Laura, what you should look for in a coat depends on two things:

1. Will you be spending a lot of time outside? Waiting for buses, walking here and there, etc?
2. Are you ok with wearing wool, down, cashmere, etc? Or would you prefer cotton or synthetics?

If you'll be spending more than five minutes outside, you'll need some serious outerwear. The actual temperatures here don't usually get very low (well, in relative terms compared to say, Antarctica) but the wind is obnoxious, as you can guess. It's really fun when it's windy, sleeting, and freezing cold. 

Finding a seriously warm coat that's also fashionable is a challenge. Luckily, everyone is in the same boat and in the dead of winter, no one is going to scoff if you only look cute indoors.

Wool and down will keep you extra warm so if you're not opposed, look for a thick wool peacoat or a not-too-puffy down filled parka. Make sure whatever coat you decide on goes past your hips and butt, preferably to the knee at least. Sitting on an ice cold bench without a covered bum is unpleasant and the wind will cut right through your jeans if your legs aren't covered otherwise.

The ideal coat would be a shin-length wool peacoat that has an inside layer of quilted down, zips and buttons all the way up to the chin, maybe has a hood, and is a neutral color like black, gray, or brown.

For scarves, hats and gloves, also look for natural fibers like wool, heavy cotton, or cashmere. Acrylics and other synthetic fibers don't wick away moisture, so it'll just sit there on your face and hands. Think of how warm sheep must be - the outer layer of wool protects the skin underneath.

Not many retailers have the seriously warm outerwear out just yet but expect to see it soon. I'd check the usual places like Old Navy, Lane Bryant, Avenue, etc. but also department stores like JC Penney or Nordstrom.

My own coat is a wool peacoat I bought from Lane Bryant last year. It's not super heavy so I layer it with sweaters depending on how cold it is. I just stay indoors when it's really brutal out ;)

Comments

[Holl]

I had luck finding a good quality long down coat at Nordstrom Rack last year. It certainly isn't the most flattering coat-but I didn't care, it kept me warmmer than any other coat I've tried while living in Chicago!

[Jane]

My favorite coat is a long wool swing coat from Silhouettes in black. I live in Maine and I love this coat because it goes down to my ankles!

[Lindsay]

If she doesn't mind second-hand clothes, there's a few of those sorts of places around the Belmont & Clark area*. The one in particular that i'm thinking about is called Ragstock. They have new and used clothes, and a lot of the new stuff is way overpriced, but i've found some really awesome slightly used stuff there for cheap.

* - well, there were, last time i lived there, which was a few years ago. For all i know, Ragstock may have closed up shop years ago.

[Laura]

Thanks everybody! Your advice is much appreciated by this Georgia native.

[Meg]

I just bought a really cool down coat from Lands End. I think they call it their chevron stripe down coat. Princess seams so you don't feel like a giant black box shape. Cool snap color/cuffs details. Only available online. The best part is they rate the coats for warmth. It's not your grannies Lands End any more!

[Pretty Pear]

Meg, I knew I was forgetting a retailer I wanted to include. Lands' End does have really nice coats!