I knew all last winter that it was time to get a new coat, so I hoped that by ordering this coat from Pepperberry last July, I’d be done with coat shopping before the fall even began. However, my order was just the beginning of my coat search.
Something about this coat just wasn’t right for me. First, I hadn’t realized how light camel is–I’ve since learned that I’m really looking for a nutmeg or hazelnut. Even so, I would have kept this coat if there hadn’t been so much extra room at my bust and if the waist had fallen a little higher. I’m actually glad it didn’t fit because I would have been tempted to “settle” for this coat even though the style wasn’t the most flattering on me. I want both fit and flattery! Obviously, I would have had to have shortened the sleeves and perhaps even the hem, but this is par for the course when you’re a busty 5’3″ at the upper end of the size charts. I’m actually pleased with the way the shoulders fit!
Perhaps either an 18RC or a 16SC (both in stock as of this writing) would have been a better size for me, but the cost of return shipping made me glad I didn’t order anything else. It cost me over $50 to return this coat with the two pajama tops that I tried. Because the box was big and weighed over four pounds, I couldn’t send it simple first class, so next time I return anything internationally, I’ll ship the items separately in smaller boxes to see if it’s cheaper.
The quality of the fabric and the sewing seemed fine–nothing amazing, but not cheap-feeling. I would prefer a higher wool content than 53%, and it was very wrinkled out of the box, but I would have lived with these things if the coat had looked great on me.
It took me a while to return the coat because I couldn’t believe it wasn’t the one! Once I accepted that it wasn’t, I asked other women to try it on, hoping that they’d want to buy it from me. No such luck!
Here it is on a tall friend of mine. She has presence in anything she wears, and this was no exception. Too bad she looks better in winter colors than fall colors. The camel totally washed her out.
Finally, here it is on a reader. I think it looks pretty good on her, but maybe the fact that she was trying it on during our August heatwave kept her from falling in love with it! There was also an extra fold of fabric between her underarms and waist, which you can see only slightly in this picture, and it was more pronounced in person.
There’s a new pale gray coat on the Pepperberry site, but it doesn’t tempt me. If it turns out to be the coat for you, I’d love to hear about it (consider a review here, pretty please?). Instead, I’ve been prowling department stores online and in person, and I’m getting very close to a final decision. Before I share it with you, however, I’ll show you all the other coats I’ve tried along the way. Maybe I can save you some time in your own busty winter coat search!
Try Calvin Klein coats if you haven’t already. So far they’ve been the best mainstream brand that I’ve found.
I like the style of the coat but it just looks too big on you. Bummer!
Unfortunately, most of the CK coats I’ve found have been too small. After a lot of trial and error, I’ve learned that I need a size 16 in coats. The one XL CK coat that I found looked great on the hanger, but not so great on me. But I’ll keep looking because I know Tina has had such good luck w/ CK dresses.
I had good luck with a petite size. That got rid of most of the length issues I’d have. I’d also try a raglan sleeve. Then, at least for me, narrow shoulders aren’t overwhelmed- tho I don’t see this as an issue for any of you. The fold in the fabric is the extra length both from the back and the side. The coat is doing all it can to accommodate lots of busts but just can’t. If I were making a coat, I’d use a smaller and shorter sized back. I wonder if anyone designs that.
Thanks for taking a look at the pictures, Leila. Even though I’m a size 14/16, I have “petite” proportions, so I was hoping to find an XL petite. Unfortunately, the 16P Anne Klein coat I tried (review to come!) was too snug for my chest, so I’ve gone on to trying regular size 16’s instead.
If you make a coat for yourself, will you grade it up to fit me??!!
Oh, and raglan sleeves don’t look that great on me . . . I think I need the definition that a shoulder seam gives.
You bet I’d grade it up for you! I’ll keep watching to see what your taste is…or if you see something you like I can keep an eye out for patterns. 🙂 Construction is less an issue than fitting.
I must admit I groaned when I saw this. Living in a warm climate, I am in terrible need of an all-around coat.
I have had luck at Coldwater Creek, btw. I can get my boobs in the one I bought there. Unfortunately, it’s a bit dressy.
Have you considered having a coat made for you by a seamstress? It would address the petite and busty issue.
No, I never have because I’ve always assumed it would be exorbitant in a 1st world country. But when it comes right down to it, I wonder if it could cost more to have a coat made for me in a high quality wool(complete with silk satin lining or Bamburg silk lining)than to buy a designer “investment piece”?
What I HAVE considered is creating a “pudgy petites” line. 🙂 Or finding a designer to create amazing coats for Campbell & Kate.
Considering you would likely want to do alterations to the designer piece, I wouldn’t be surprised if it were cheaper (slightly) to go custom. Winter coats (and tailored coats in general) are A LOT of work. I’d love to make my own but I just don’t have the patience or time (I think Ann Miller’s On the Town Dress would be a fantastic winter coat with some tweaks.) It would be worth it to at least price it out.
DD Atelier came out with a new winter coat. Not cheap but I’m seriously considering it- of course I will need to hem it but that’s not a dramatic alteration from what I need to do with their woven pieces.
I would totally buy from a “pudgy petites” line. Pudgy petites unite!
It’s good to see the photos! If I knew it would look like #3 on me, I’d buy it. But I’m pretty sure #2 would be closer. I’m 175 cm (5 ft 9 in) and would prefer my winter coat to cover my wrists 🙂
Also, I’m pretty sure that UK winter clothing isn’t actually warm enough in Scandinavian winter. I’d freeze on the way to the parking lot! LOL
I’m actually considering the seamstress option. I could choose the fabric (recycled materials maybe) and style. But this will have to wait until I actually get a job to pay for it…
I hadn’t even considered the sleeve length. 🙁 If you have one made, you HAVE to blog about it!!