This is Day Two of Project Winter Coat…Day One is located here.
What I wore to go shopping
My new sweater of course!
I put a plain, thin grey long-sleeved sweater underneath it for an extra layer.
I also brought an extra sweater, but turns out I didn’t need it!
I was sweating the entire time. In below 0 degrees weather.
People were staring at me like I was nuts, wearing only a sweater while they were bundled up in puffy coats.. but I was really hot around the neck and upper chest area.
Hmm..
What I tried on
La Baie (The Bay) is having Bay Days!
This means, 30% – 40% off a lot of brands like Guess, Nine West, etc..
I think I need some butt padding….
These were 40% off Nine West Stretch Jeans
This is me, back in my normal jeans that I keep repairing over and over again.
6 years and counting! 
Next, was Forever 21 for some fun:
I found this pretty magenta silk-like top with black rosettes on the straps.
It was so pretty… so I had to try it on.
What I learned
- You know, you really try to love the stuff on sale, but there’s a reason why it’s on sale
- No one likes to wear colourful winter coats. It’s depressing
- The choices are horrible! If you don’t want black, grey, white or red, you’re really asking for trouble.
Plan B of Project Winter Coat Hunt
If all else fails….
Heck, I’ve survived this long in this winter without a long winter coat.
I can do it again.
I just need to wear layers and tights under pants to keep my legs warm.
What I DID end up buying
I found some great photo albums from Umbra.
They’re exactly what I wanted (the inside has pockets that let you show portrait-style photos).
Picked up some inky purple tights from HUE.
I wanted these other tights on sale (buy one get the other 50% off), but they didn’t have any colours except grey and black. Bor-ring.
I also picked up a bottle of Smashbox primer for oil control.
I love wearing this stuff alone, on my face, without any moisturizer or anything.
What’s next:
I am close to calling off the manhunt completely.
J. Crew has the best option right now — Thinsulate-lined Lady Day Coats, but the total cost with shipping would be around $400!!!
And what if I hated it? I’m out the price of shipping it back to them.
Me no likey.
If I find a winter coat that hits my criteria, I will buy it.
Day Three, will be all about hitting vintage and second hand stores shops I’ve mapped out.
And returning something I bought (another photo album that I don’t need now)
Maybe I’ll find something there that will be close to what I want.
- So I’ve just realized that I need a winter coat
- Day One: And still no winter coat
- Day Three: The Search is OVER, but I ate some Pho
- Quick and Inexpensive Christmas Presents
- Wearable fashion has taken a nosedive recently
Amanda
on Oct 29th, 2009
@ 7:27 AM:
Hello. I have been reading your blog for a few months, but this is my first comment. I just had to ask. Do you have a J. Crew store by you? I’ve returned stuff from the mail to the store. It makes thing much easier.
FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com
on Oct 29th, 2009
@ 8:10 AM:
@Amanda: Thank you for de-lurking! And no I don’t have a J. Crew store here, I live in Canada
There are none. Thank you for your suggestion
Ashe Mischief
on Oct 29th, 2009
@ 8:13 AM:
I have to admit, I’ve been enjoying these last posts. I think because they have some semblance of a FB in them (physically) they seem more personal?
Also, please let me know how you like the Smashbox primer! I just picked up my first one recently, and I’m not as impressed as I know I probably should be….
Ashe Mischief´s last blog ..TiLT: Things I Love Thursday [October]
Jillian (back to the nest)
on Oct 29th, 2009
@ 9:51 AM:
You should try Delia’s. They have a lot of cute winter coats right now, and you can usually find a coupon code for like 25% off or free shipping or something. Their coats aren’t super cheap, but they’re definitely not ridic like J.Crew. Good luck!
Jillian (back to the nest)´s last blog ..Skankberry Shortcake and RainHOE Brite
That Kind of Girl
on Oct 29th, 2009
@ 10:07 AM:
I actually really loved that pale blue coat, judging by the picture! The over-sized pockets are way cute! But of course if they’re not well-placed for hands, that’s a no-go. And clearly we cannot get the whole story from a picture.
Good luck hitting vintage and thrift shops! That can be a great resource.
That Kind of Girl´s last blog ..The Kind of Girl Who … totally aces blowjob class (TMI Thursday in a big way)
jc
on Oct 29th, 2009
@ 11:05 AM:
I think there is a J Crew right across the border in Burlington, VT. It’s about an hour to drive from Montreal if you have a car to use. Might be a nice little trip if you like that sort of thing.
I purchased a J Crew coat from the catalog (actually from the red phone they have in the store so I didn’t have to pay shipping) and when I tried it on at home it had no shape and looked terrible so I returned it and bought another I could try on. I’d definitely say it’s better to try them on, the photos can be tricky to truly tell the fit.
I’m really happy with mine (and the thinsulate) but perhaps you can find one used so it isn’t so expensive? You seem to go back and forth about price so that may be a happy compromise. I think the one I purchased was only $200ish USD, expensive but worth it to me. I would certainly have a harder time with $400.
The Asian Pear
on Oct 29th, 2009
@ 11:09 AM:
question… have you tried etsy? you’ve bought so many pretty things there, I can’t imagine you not being able to find a perfect winter jacket on there either.
The Asian Pear´s last blog ..PayDay for Me –> Family
Crystal
on Oct 29th, 2009
@ 1:40 PM:
I LOVE this post!! All your captions made me laugh out loud, especially the Toto one.
That coat is beautiful, but the pockets do look a little odd. Plus there’s nothing worse than trying to jam your freezing hands into cock-eyed pockets on a cold winter’s day. Been there, done that, don’t recommend it to anyone.
CentsInTheCity
on Oct 29th, 2009
@ 2:21 PM:
I have a bright blue swing coat (the color a lot like your sweater) that I purchased from Target years ago, and a purple pea coat that I purchased from Victoria Secret around the same time. Both were on sale cost less than $100 combined. They keep me warm through NYC winter and surprisingly have stayed in excellent shape. Neither is worn on a daily basis. I love to wear colorful shoes, handbags, scarves, hats, etc. Sometimes too much color combined looks really bad, so the coat that I wear depends on my outfit. I just purchased a grey herringbone winter coat for daily wear, because it goes with pretty much everything. My guess is that’s why most people prefer a neutral coat.
CentsInTheCity´s last blog ..Taking Some Action
summershoegal
on Oct 29th, 2009
@ 4:01 PM:
hi there, me again!
I actually love the blue coat, the pockets make it just cuter!!
And you are right, finding a coat in a nice color is almost impossible!! Its always black brown white or that years color (which is again purple and as much as I love purple, only a few shades go with my red hair!!)
Still wishing you luck in you quest for the perfect coat!
summershoegal´s last blog ..
summershoegal
on Oct 29th, 2009
@ 4:05 PM:
me again! I almost forgot, have you tried ASOS before?
http://www.asos.com/Women/Jackets-Coats/Cat/pgecategory.aspx?cid=2641#state=Rf97%3D974&parentID=-1&pge=1&pgeSize=20&sort=-1
They have some awesome coats, I am not sure what the shipping rates will be to Canada but mb you want to check it out!
summershoegal´s last blog ..
FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com
on Oct 29th, 2009
@ 5:21 PM:
@Ashe Mischief: Why thank you!
I may throw in a couple more posts about outfits, because I am getting really inspired by my favourite fashion bloggers.
That Smashbox primer got returned, sadly. It was $44 and in my opinion (buyer’s regret), not worth it.
The actual primer though, is fabulous. But this no shine one doesn’t do the trick.
@Jillian (back to the nest): Thanks Jillian, but we don’t have a Delia’s here.
I also like trying things on in person.. drives me mad when I think it looks cute, then I look weird in it.
@That Kind of Girl: The pockets (and the high price) were the only 2 things stopping me, really.
I love the colour, the cut and the fit. I just don’t want to pay $300 for something that isn’t perfect. If it was $50, sure.
@jc: I am definitely going back and forth with price, because $400 for a coat seems outrageous for the kind of material i am feeling in stores.
Thanks for the tip about going to the States via Montreal. I may have to make a weekend trip of it with BF.
@The Asian Pear: I tried Etsy (sorta), but with winter coats, I really need to try them on in person.
With other things, I can kind of hazard whether or not they’ll fit, but I am SO picky with clothes and shoes… that 75% of the time, I end up regretting it.
@Crystal: Thanks Crystal! I don’t know why they sewed on those pockets so strangely. Very odd.
@CentsInTheCity: That’s a good point about neutral coats. I think what I am looking for is NOT those colours in stores.
I may just end up wearing my ivory coat and being v. careful with it…
Like putting a plastic cover on my bum.
@summershoegal: Thanks a lot
The teal was perfect.. just.. not the pockets LOL or the price.
paranoidasteroid
on Oct 29th, 2009
@ 7:17 PM:
You have such a cute shape. I hope you keep posting!
I got my winter coat off ebay because I just can’t justify spending that much. Well, also mostly because I had a very specific one in mind.
paranoidasteroid´s last blog ..I spend more when I’m happy
eemusings
on Oct 29th, 2009
@ 10:11 PM:
I think you and me are body twins.
eemusings´s last blog ..I love Lee
Revanche
on Oct 29th, 2009
@ 11:45 PM:
Hm … I still LOVE the blue sweater, I cannot believe that you manage to run so warm body temp-wise, but given the lack of success in coat shopping so far, it’s a good thing.
I did like that purple top, though, and it doesn’t seem bad for $24. I might have taken that one home. [And perhaps regretted and returned it. But I never know that until after it's come home!
]
Revanche´s last blog ..The case for capers
Cupcake Wannabe
on Oct 30th, 2009
@ 1:24 AM:
I love that blue sweater!!! I can’t believe the difference in those two pairs of jeans… the Nine West ones flattened you out!
Cupcake Wannabe´s last blog ..Being sick makes me spend I guess!
Blurbage
on Oct 30th, 2009
@ 2:38 AM:
hi, fb, thanks again for stopping by my blog:) love the color of the blue coat and the detailing! have u checked fredflare.com? they have the cutest coats and quite affordable, as well. unfortunately, the only store they have is in ny. ure comments on the nine west jeans cracked me up haha gluck with ur coat hunt!:)
FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com
on Oct 30th, 2009
@ 8:40 AM:
@Cupcake Wannabe: I KNOW, right!? My butt isn’t super small or flat, but it looked AWFUL in those jeans.
FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com
on Oct 30th, 2009
@ 8:41 AM:
@Revanche I sweat a lot around the neck and chest area.. I don’t know why. It’s only my legs that get cold.. but wearing tights under my jeans cured that
The purple top was okay, but not perfect for me.. I mean, it was too low cut. I’d have to wear something under it..
FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com
on Oct 30th, 2009
@ 8:42 AM:
@paranoidasteroid: aww. thank you
I’d love to also buy stuff off ebay or online, but without trying it on, I am definitely not the type to do that for big ticket stuff
June Shin
on Oct 30th, 2009
@ 8:55 AM:
Good luck on your hunt! I love buying coats and think a little more expense is worth it, since during the cold season, it’s pretty much all people see you wearing. I do love the color on the one you tried on.
Happy Shopping!
June Shin´s last blog ..Word of the Day – Ethereal
Single Ma
on Oct 30th, 2009
@ 2:48 PM:
I thought that pink and gray shirt was cute on you. I can see you wearing it with black (or dark gray) slacks, long silver jewelry w/ bangles, and a funky pair of pink heels or a hot pink bag. Ca-yute!
Oh and those jeans, so glad you put them back. Yea, your butt is small, but those jeans were too big – too much sagging for a stretch material.
Love your posts with shopping pics!
Single Ma´s last blog ..Blogging on Cruise Control