Ask Belle: Swingy Winter Coats
Oct 7, 2014
Hi Belle,
Luckily we don’t need this type of coat yet here in DC but in preparation… I love the style of the J. Crew Cocoon Coat but not so much the price. Do you have any recommendations on similar coats (long/ wool/ and petite if possible) that are below $200?
Thanks & LOVE the blog! Sarah
Ah, the cocoon coat. I almost bought the very J.Crew coat you speak of while I was in D.C. a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, it’s probably not warm enough for a Montana winter. Wish it had the Thinsulate liner.
Affordable cocoon coats are available, though nothing exactly like the J.Crew version. Here is the best of what I found:
This Mango coat is my favorite. It has a bit of a Jil Sander look that I love. Mango has a few more options including this pale pink, collarless coat and this textured white coat. This shearling coat is a cozy-looking option for casual days.
Asos also has a few choices. This black coat with mesh panels is interesting. I also like this mod black and white coat.
And in the over-$200-but-worth-ever-damn-penny category this luminous Ted Baker coat with a metallic-jacquard trim. It’s a must see. The rose gold zipper? Sublime.
Could you do a post on warm winter coats – with thinsulate or something with down? It is going to be a cold winter in DC!
If you really loved the J. Crew coat, I recommend trying it on now to find your size and then waiting for late November or December, when they reduce the prices of the coats. If you combine a sale price with an extra percentage off sale, you can usually get the coats for under $200 — sometimes significantly under. I bought both my J.Crew winter coats for under $200, and both were originally around $350.
I love the Ted Baker coat, but am perplexed as to why it has a bracelet sleeve. Who wants to wear a winter coat with exposed wrists?
That J Crew coat is spectacular. Usually I don’t like things that aren’t fitted at the waist, but this is just baggy enough to be chic without looking crazy.
Style by Joules
I second XT’s comment. I emailed you a few weeks back about winter coat suggestions. Warmth + Style + Under $200?
I don’t see the appeal of that coat. It looks like an oversized fleece… Sad.
In regards to the cocoon coat: I have that coat in 2 colors. If it’s still the same quality stadium cloth as previous years, it’s actually warmer than a coat with thinsulate. It’s also easy to pair with a thick sweater or fleece due to its shape.
Highly highly recommend.
I also need a warm winter coat and trying to find something other than black or camel wrap style, in an XL that comes to my knees and under $500.00 is proving IMPOSSIBLE. I prefer that my skirt or dress under the coat not show, otherwise I feel like it needs to at least compliment each other. HELP PLEASE
Have you tried Lands End? They make some really beautiful colored coats. I imagine they’re also super warm and good quality per most things from Lands End.
I’m too petite for their styles otherwise I would totally own one!
Thanks LS, I ended up buying one from Anthropologie, its not as warm as I wanted so beautiful I could not resist..
I love the look of a cocoon coat with leather leggings and a tunic sweater. I’m not sure, though, if it’s going to make me look larger than normal…I’m tall, and slender, but I have a chest and a bit of junk in the trunk, so to speak. Is this the sort of silhouette that only very thin or petite women can pull off?