Winter Coats

Layer Up!

Following on from yesterdays confession that I need to be warm, here I am again with another hot water bottle, perusing my winter coats ( the OH will have to relent and put the heating on now it's October, surely?). I must admit this is an area I tend not to spend money in very often. I love jackets and lightweight blazers , but until last winter my complaints of cold were met with the response from my OH of, "Layer up!" Layer up, I ask you. Even with thermals, two T's, a jumper, cardy and jacket I was still cold , and rather bulky. The year of the snow was the final straw and I marched off, layered up, one particularly cold day to buy myself an expensive, North Face, grey Metropolis Parka aka cosytoes for adults.

I have never looked back. I am never cold ( when I am wearing it). I am never in more than 3 layers ( including the coat) and I can see it lasting me another 10 years. An investment buy, but definitely cheaper in the long run than a series of inexpensive, flimsy jackets that are not warm enough to keep the chill out on a mild Autumn day, let alone in the depths of the British winter! It is deeply warm, fits snugly and is shaped in at the waist .

I did shop around prior to my purchase and my advice when buying a padded parka such as this is......

• Don't size up. You won't need loads of layers underneath anyway and you'll only end up looking like The Hungry Caterpillar if you do.
• Go for something that is as long as you are comfortable with.... if you are going for warmth of course.
• Get one with a detachable hood. I prefer to wear a woolly hat and a scarf so like to be able to remove the hood if possible. It becomes too bulky with a hood as well!
• Deep pockets. Not silly shallow ones that you can't bury your hands in.
• Make sure it is cut in and shaped in some way, not just a large rectangle. You will look like a walking duvet otherwise. A belted waist or slightly flared hem can improve the look no end.
• Go for a better filling and better quality coat every time. Down filled coats will last longer than synthetic filled coats and are lighter by far. You will not regret it.

There are so many now to choose from ranging from the ridiculously cheap to the ridiculously expensive. Again it is a question of personal choice and budget. Go for what you like and can afford! 

Happy shopping - in the warm.