The recent cold snap in our area has me thinking a lot about coats lately.
It seems there are basically two main categories of coats: fashion jackets and weather jackets. Unfortunately the margin where these two overlap seems very slim.
I am not an athletic wear-type girl. Yes I’ve lived in Oregon since I was young but I wouldn’t exactly describe myself as an ‘outdoorsy’ type. Don’t get me wrong, I do love this beautiful earth God created, but I’m pretty much a city girl. I love tall buildings, warm coffee shops, people-watching and urban playgrounds. Give me a crowded freeway over a dark, dirt road any day.
But you see, in Oregon it rains about two-thirds of the year, which presents some logistical challenges when leaving the house. If I were like a Californian and put on a rain jacket and Hunter boots every time it was wet out, well, I’d look like that every day between November-May. So how’s a girl supposed to stay dry and warm and stylish?
I currently employ a green utility jacket (very near to this) that I bought before utility jackets were a thing. It’s made out of thick cotton and has been a workhorse for me the last few years, but some days the rain is just too heavy or the jacket just isn’t warm enough. I also have a jacket by Columbia that is super effective, but leaves me looking like I am ready to hit the ski lifts.
What I want to know is: where is the middle ground? Particularly from an ethical approach. Where on earth does one shop for ‘ethically made, stylish winter jackets that keep you warm and dry?’ Is it really possible to dress for the winter rain and still look stylish? Hint: it has to have a hood.
xo
-andrea
A FashionABLE bag has been on my want list all fall ever since my best friend had hers along in Chicago! They are beautiful! I am on the hunt for a new winter coat, too. I have a few already but none of them are quite right for everyday wear in the winter. I already have a nice wool coat, but it doesn’t keep me that warm and is a bit dressy. Unlike you, I LOVE being outside and I want a coat that will keep me warm for trail walks with my dog or antiquing downtown. We get a lot of rain here, too, so a water resistant one would be a plus! But yeah….finding an ethically made one in my price range is pretty much impossible. Let me know if you find anything!
Which bag does your friend have?
Honestly, I think if I was warm/dry I would like being outside more in the winter. I have been eyeing jackets from Patagonia, their reputation is pretty amazing, but they are a serious investment!
My friend has the Mamuye Tote and it is beautiful! Yes, Patagonia jackets are pricey! Every now and then I come across that brand at TJ Maxx, but never the jackets. Had I known they were an environmentally friendly company I would have paid more attention! :-/
Hello! I also live in Oregon and have struggled to find a rain jacket that doesn’t feel like a sartorial compromise. I stumbled across this sustainable, Portland-based brand a while ago: http://www.nau.com/womens/jackets/w-urbane-jacket#92=835. I haven’t purchased anything from them but I thought you might be interested.
I can also say that I personally have a Patagonia down sweater
http://www.rei.com/product/870482/patagonia-down-sweater-womens
that I wear under a waterproof REI rain jacket
http://www.rei.com/product/870482/patagonia-down-sweater-womens .
I’ve told my husband 1,000 times that taking the plunge to buy the patagonia is one of the best decisions I’ve made.
Although REI’s manufacturing isn’t A+, they do make an effort http://www.rei.com/stewardship/sustainable-operations/product-impact.html , and my husband has had his REI rain jacket for 10 years, making it a very sustainable investment.
Cheers to a rainy holiday season!
Hi Brianna!
I am finally learning the concept of layering my jackets, seems so obvious I almost missed it. What I wouldn’t give for one of those patagonia down sweaters! Good to hear you are happy with your choice. They are definitely on my ‘someday’ list.
You make a good point about sustainable investments! I have been wearing a down puffer jacket a lot lately that I got from J.Crew more than 10 years ago, which definitely helps make it a more sustainable investment. It harkens back to the adage of ‘buy nice or buy twice.’
Thanks for sharing those links, I am checking them out! :)