help me pick out a new winter coat

[ProudGrandma]

I need a new winter coat. I am a small, petite person, so something big and bulky will not work, but I do get cold easily, so something warm is important. But what is really hard for me is that I sort of need it to be an all purpose coat...both "play" and "running errands" but also nice enough that if I am going some place a little bit nicer, it would work too. Does anybody have any thoughts for me...oh, I can't spend an arm and a leg for it either...but if you could even give me a style to consider, then I can at least be looking for sales and things too...thanks.

[Mergath]

I just got this from Target yesterday:

 

 

So far, I love it.

[DarlaS]

How do you feel about dry cleaning? Because wool can be warm, dressed up or down and is not overly bulky. For a petite person, this one looks good:

 

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/70411?feat=610-GN1&page=bean-s-boiled-wool-jacket

 

or this one if you like more length and a hood:

 

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/75225?feat=610-GN1&page=bean-s-duffle-coat

[ProudGrandma]

dry cleaning is ok, but not preferred. And wool is not quite what I am looking for...prefer a different fabric.

[ProudGrandma]

I just got this from Target yesterday:

 

 

So far, I love it.

 

cute style. Is it wool?

[Mergath]

cute style. Is it wool?

 

Yup. Well, a wool blend.

[sgo95]

For warmth, I think we're pretty much limited to wool, polyester insulation, or down, right? Down/polyester insulation coats don't have to be bulky. You can find coats that are specifically petite and designed to be sleek, not bulky.

 

Here are two petite coats from Macy's:

Macy's coat 1

Macy's coat 2

They might be more than you want to spend but I think they show how "puffer" coats don't have to be too bulky. You can see how the coat is shaped to show the wearer's waist.

 

Here are few petite coats from Lands End (they have a coupon on their site for 30% off and free shipping, as well):

Essential Down Parka

Luxe Insulator Parka

FX Down coat

 

The following two from Lands End are less polished:

Squall parka

Down commuter coat

 

Oh, I just found a few at kohls.com (you can only get the petite versions of these online and they're even less with coupon codes):

Hooded puffer jacket

Hooded long down puffer jacket

 

In terms of wool, if you rule them out you're also ruling the more polished dressy options. I don't know about others, but I don't have to clean my coat that much (2x a year at most?) so drycleaning isn't necessarily a huge issue.

[besroma]

LLBean has some nice down jackets and 3-in-1 jackets.

[happypamama]

If you'd consider wool, I have a hooded peacoat (from Kohl's a few years ago), and I really, really like it. It is a great fit for my petite frame, soft, very warm, and great in wet weather. It's still in great shape, so I think it was a good buy.

[Ottakee]

One thing you might want to try if you are small and petite is children's sizes. Usually kids coats in an X-large (like 14-16 or 16/18) are MUCH cheaper than the same style of coat in a women's small. My sister does this and saves a lot of money.

 

Columbia has some nice looking warmer coats.

[ProudGrandma]

I don't like longer coats or the puffy ones....but I didn't think to check LL Bean or Land's End....so I will look at those places too. thanks.

[mytwomonkeys]

i'm 5'6 and 130. i have a really cute 3/4 black fitted pea coat. it doesn't look bulky or oversized at all. it keeps me really warm too. it is from j crew - but it's a few years old. i love it!!

 

ETA - i just saw that you don't like longer coats. j crew has shorter ones as well:)

[Mom28kds]

I found this for you a couple at JCPenny. They say they are warm but don't have any reviews yet. It comes in petite and has a few different colors to choose from. If you want something more casual you could just go with a Columbia ski jacket.

 

http://www.jcpenney.com/dotcom/women/brands/ana/ana-hooded-puffer-jacket/prod.jump?ppId=pp5001600319&catId=cat100250094&deptId=dept20000013&N=100240004 1507&extDim=true&topDim=Categories&topDimvalue=coats&dimCombo=Categories%7CWarmth+Factor%7C&dimComboVal=coats%7Cheavyweight%7C&currentDim=Warmth+Factor&currentDimVal=heavyweight

 

http://www.jcpenney.com/dotcom/fair-square-prices/black-friday-shop/clothing-accessories/missy/%252440-coats/columbia-sassy-snowbird-jacket/prod.jump?ppId=pp5002111136&catId=cat100250094&deptId=dept20000013&N=100240004 1507&Nao=24&pN=2&extDim=true&topDim=Categories&topDimvalue=coats&dimCombo=Categories%7CWarmth+Factor%7C&dimComboVal=coats%7Cheavyweight%7C&currentDim=Warmth+Factor&currentDimVal=heavyweight

[k2bdeutmeyer]

I found this for you a couple at JCPenny. They say they are warm but don't have any reviews yet. It comes in petite and has a few different colors to choose from. If you want something more casual you could just go with a Columbia ski jacket.

 

http://www.jcpenney.com/dotcom/women/brands/ana/ana-hooded-puffer-jacket/prod.jump?ppId=pp5001600319&catId=cat100250094&deptId=dept20000013&N=100240004 1507&extDim=true&topDim=Categories&topDimvalue=coats&dimCombo=Categories%7CWarmth+Factor%7C&dimComboVal=coats%7Cheavyweight%7C&currentDim=Warmth+Factor&currentDimVal=heavyweight

 

http://www.jcpenney.com/dotcom/fair-square-prices/black-friday-shop/clothing-accessories/missy/%252440-coats/columbia-sassy-snowbird-jacket/prod.jump?ppId=pp5002111136&catId=cat100250094&deptId=dept20000013&N=100240004 1507&Nao=24&pN=2&extDim=true&topDim=Categories&topDimvalue=coats&dimCombo=Categories%7CWarmth+Factor%7C&dimComboVal=coats%7Cheavyweight%7C&currentDim=Warmth+Factor&currentDimVal=heavyweight

 

I really like the 2nd one!!!!

[Arcadia]

One thing you might want to try if you are small and petite is children's sizes. Usually kids coats in an X-large (like 14-16 or 16/18) are MUCH cheaper than the same style of coat in a women's small.

 

I am 5'3" and a size zero. The only problem I had with children's size for outerwear is that the sleeves are too short. Maybe me and my kids arms are longer than average because they have the same problem.

 

Wool coats are more formal and princess cuts are more fitting for petite. I bought mine on sale from Burlington Coat factory for 75% off post season. I have a below knee one and an above ankle one for different occasions.

 

My Columbia jackets are less heavy than my Lands End jackets and both brands have endured lots of abuse.

[momofkhm]

I just got this one for this past weekend:

 

http://www.landsend.com/pp/womens-primaloft-packable-jacket~246048_59.html

 

Love the jacket, but it didn't keep me warm enough without gloves in 35 degree weather with a slight wind. Just to let you know. They say it's 0-25 rated. I also tend toward cold. When I had my gloves on, it was better. So it depends on what temps you are looking at for this winter. I did write a review this morning that's not up yet. I did say that it will probably be my "go to" jacket for Nov, Dec, and March. But when it's colder here in Jan and Feb, I'll need something warmer. Oh, I did not say it in the review, but I'd need something warmer if we go skiing or out to play in the snow.

[6wildhorses]

Columbia makes some great coats that are lightweight and very warm. I have a Columbia interchange "bugaboo" jacket in black with white accents. Amazon has a newer version of this coat on sale http://www.amazon.com/Columbia-Womens-Bugaboo-Interchange-X-Large/dp/B008H20MNI/ref=sr_1_1?s=athletic-clothing&ie=UTF8&qid=1352746819&sr=1-1&keywords=columbia+bugaboo

It comes in some really great colors. I stay warm in my coat when I shovel snow, so I'm happy with it's warmth.

[sgo95]

I just got this one for this past weekend:

 

http://www.landsend.com/pp/womens-primaloft-packable-jacket~246048_59.html

 

Love the jacket, but it didn't keep me warm enough without gloves in 35 degree weather with a slight wind. Just to let you know. They say it's 0-25 rated. I also tend toward cold. When I had my gloves on, it was better. So it depends on what temps you are looking at for this winter. I did write a review this morning that's not up yet. I did say that it will probably be my "go to" jacket for Nov, Dec, and March. But when it's colder here in Jan and Feb, I'll need something warmer. Oh, I did not say it in the review, but I'd need something warmer if we go skiing or out to play in the snow.

 

I agree that I'd need something warmer than that jacket for 0-25 degrees. Lands end is assuming that you're also wearing a turtleneck and wool sweater underneath when they're doing their temp ratings.

[twinmami01]

I just got this from Target yesterday:

 

 

So far, I love it.

 

Love this!

[Holly]

I just got this from Target yesterday:

 

 

So far, I love it.

 

I have one from JC Penney similar to this...without the buttons and with hidden pockets. It's super warm and looks great on me (I'm 5'2"). It's nice enough for church, but also looks good for running to the store. If it gets really cold (below 20 F), I just make sure I have a wool sweater underneath.