Comments on: Coats of Many Colors

By: Maggie

Maggie — Tue, 29 Nov 2005 19:05:00 +0000

Hit up friends and relatives who live in Florida or other warm states for some coat shopping help. Stores are obliged to stock winter coats down here in Orlando, but hardly anyone buys them because, well, the temperature tends to hover around 75 degrees on Christmas day.

90% of all the coats ordered for the season wind up on the deep discount clearance racks.

By: Madame X

Madame X — Mon, 21 Nov 2005 21:59:00 +0000

I need to print out all these suggestions. The 6-year old parka can’t take too many more patches!

By: Nicole

Nicole — Mon, 21 Nov 2005 18:08:00 +0000

Yeah, the 60-70 coat is more of a windbreaker/jean jacket type. We still get colder blasts coming off the lake.

By: savvy saver

savvy saver — Sun, 20 Nov 2005 15:22:00 +0000

fivecentnickel-

60s is definetely jacket weather in windy climes like Chicago (or Wisconsin).

I remember when life was simple and I had one heavy winter coat (Lands End wool peacoat with Thinsulate - lasted my entire college career plus three years after college!), and one jacket, and in-between times just called for a hoodie under my jacket. Now with work and commutes and trips to the cabin, and the freezing Wisconsin climate, I have an arsenal of winter coats and jackets. A coat for skiing, dress coats, long coats, short coats, coats with thinsulate, a leather jacket, a fleece jacket.

I second the recommendation of consignment shops. I have purchased some great coats at consignment and thrift stores. I also bought Vaughn a beautiful London Fog overcoat with zip-out thinsulate lining at an estate sale for 50 cents... he has only worn it once (to a funeral), but it is a classic that will last for years.

By: fivecentnickel.com

fivecentnickel.com — Sun, 20 Nov 2005 04:25:00 +0000

I’m surprised that you’d actually need a coat for high 60s/low 70s.

By: mmb

mmb — Fri, 18 Nov 2005 18:34:00 +0000

TJ Maxx. I once found a gorgeous Albert Nipon cashmere coat for $65. The department store price was $298. Even Bluefly didn’t have it for less than $198. And what’s more, it was brand new.

Nordstrom outlet is another good place for coats. Or for jeans that matter. I just bought these fabulous $130 Blue Cults for $20. Sometimes you just have to look a little.

By: anastasia

anastasia — Fri, 18 Nov 2005 17:57:00 +0000

Resale!! I found my medium-duty winter coat (Kenneth Cole wool-cashmere) at a consignment shop in Lincoln Park for ridiculously cheap, and it’s in perfect condition. As long as I’ve got enough time to wade through the crap in search of the gems, the consignment shops in the expensive neighborhoods are my favorite places to buy clothing.

By: Caitlin

Caitlin — Fri, 18 Nov 2005 15:42:00 +0000

I second all the links posted so far (though mountain gear is new to me). LL Bean has some factory stores too, though I've only been to the Freeport one.

I will also give a shout-out to thrift stores. I got my winter jacket (wool plaid, very toasty and retro) for $15 and it needed a new zipper for another $15. And LaLa has found many good quality winter items including her North Face shell for $8

For thrift stores, I recommend scouting out ones in your area and picking a fave...then going once a week at least until you find something you really like.

By: JZ

JZ — Thu, 17 Nov 2005 22:11:00 +0000

I got a great Anne Klein wool coat at overstock.com — cheap, warm, cute and $1 shipping! (eek, I sound like a commercial, don’t I?)

By: Ray Chiang

Ray Chiang — Thu, 17 Nov 2005 19:32:00 +0000

A couple of other online stores for "sportier" coats (e.g. North Face and similar brands):

- Sierra Trading Post

- REI Outlet

- Campmor (check their Bargain Bin)

- Mountain Gear

These are also excellent places to buy other outdoor gear (including things like donating sleeping bags to the homeless).

-Ray