Fashion Article: Choosing The Perfect Winter Coat

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Winter is approaching fast and for most Northern Hemisphere shoppers, the time has come to look for a good winter coat- something to see us through the chilly months warm, dry, and looking good. There are tens of thousands to choose and picking the perfect one can be quite tricky. The first thing to do is think about the material. Here are a few of the most likely picks:

-Wool. It’s warm but heavy, and highly variable in quality. If you want the best, look for a Merino wool. It’s finer than most others and less itchy, and it’s naturally good at not picking up odors. Wool is never all that easy to wash, so it’s a definitely plus.

-Down. Not so much a material as a filling, down is the best lightweight insulation money can buy. Despite all the ‘smart fibers’ on the market today, the suits worn by polar explorers and Everest mountaineers are still filled with good old fashioned down. There is a big difference between the best high grade goose down and a lesser mix of duck down and feather- the former is a whole lot lighter and warmer. Down quality is usually expressed as a ‘fill power’. If you’re looking for a really warm, really light jacket, make sure the maker lists a fill power of at least 550.

-Synthetic fill. The problem with down is that it doesn’t like getting wet. It’s hard to wash and if it gets wet in a rain shower it won’t do anything to keep you warm at all. Synthetic insulation will offer some warmth even when damp and it’s easier to clean, but on the other hand, it’s not quite so light. Look for a well-known name (eg Primaloft- many clothing manufacturers buy their insulation from these experts). One bonus to choosing a synthetic fill coat over a down one is that synthetic insulation usually looks a little less bulky and puffy.

-Fleece. The best and warmest modern fleece jackets and tops are wonderfully warm and gorgeous to wear. They’re soft, furry, and can provide a much-needed touch of winter luxury. Most of them won’t cut out the wind, though, so they’re best worn under a coat that will.

Waterproof or not waterproof?

Some fabrics, like natural wool, have a degree of shower-resistance, and there are plenty of fully waterproof coats on the market. One thing to watch out for is breathability- cheaper waterproofs can feel sweaty and damp inside if you get warm while walking up stairs, for example. Materials like GoreTex and eVent are fully waterproof but feel more comfortable to wear when you’re active.

Cut and stitching

A winter coat can be any length but watch out for short jackets- if there is a gap around your midriff you’ll really feel it on a cold day! Coats that reach halfway down the thighs insulate some major arteries and help keep the blood (and hence your body) nice and warm.
Stitching can be the ruin of any piece of winter clothing but it’s most often a problem with down jackets and other insulated coats. All too often a line of stitching lets the wind blow right in, creating a cold patch across the seam. Beware of jackets with stitching that goes all the way through and look for those with a consistent thickness of cloth between you and the chill. Make sure zips have baffles behind so draughts won’t get to you that way.

Image courtesy of plussizethis.com

About the author: Jess Spate edits a women’s outdoor clothing resource. She also works for Appalachian Outdoors, an online retailer that carries a wide range of women’s clothes and hiking gear.