2008 Woodie Awards
The Daily OrangeFrom puff to posh: Peacoats replace down coats this season
By Melissa Daniels
Posted: 10/14/08, 4:06 AM EST Section: Feature
I am a lifelong Upstate New Yorker.
The title itself provokes mixed feelings of pride and boredom, but I mostly associate my geographical setting with memories of freezing during the cold winter months. And despite my snow-infused upbringing, I've never latched onto winter fashion styles too much.
Part of that is probably because I loathe the winter months - just never caught on to them. I've never been skiing, never been snowboarding, and have only been sledding a handful of times, which usually ended in bruises and stitches. I am no outdoor girl when the outdoors involve trekking through mountains of white powder - power to the people who thrive in such environments.
When it comes to bundling up for heading outside in the wintertime, I've never been a fan of the puffy snow-bunny jacket style. By default, my best friend from November to March is the long wool peacoat.
I mean no demeaning words against those who stay bundled throughout the winter months in plush down coats provided by The North Face or Columbia - surely they stay warm. But the bulkiness of a coat like that can be avoided with a classic peacoat that offers plenty of warmth from the neck down.
My favorite thing about the peacoat is that it's unbelievably durable without sacrificing style. Heavy-lined wool coats won't lose their shape if they're hung after every use, and they dry off from rain and wind relatively quickly, especially if you use those fancy protective sprays and gels.
Another benefit: the peacoat is a versatile fall/winter style. You can break it out as soon as you start shivering without feeling too warm or too bulky.
Peacoats come in a variety of lengths. One that hits at the hips can be adorable when paired with a skirt and long scarf. But the advantage to a mid-thigh, knee-length or longer coat is, of course, the added warmth and resistance against winter wind.
One of the trends I've noticed on the shopping racks this season is asymmetrical buttons and zippers. Cutting diagonally across the front of the coat, or vertically down one side, a look like this is a twist on an old classic.
The title itself provokes mixed feelings of pride and boredom, but I mostly associate my geographical setting with memories of freezing during the cold winter months. And despite my snow-infused upbringing, I've never latched onto winter fashion styles too much.
Part of that is probably because I loathe the winter months - just never caught on to them. I've never been skiing, never been snowboarding, and have only been sledding a handful of times, which usually ended in bruises and stitches. I am no outdoor girl when the outdoors involve trekking through mountains of white powder - power to the people who thrive in such environments.
When it comes to bundling up for heading outside in the wintertime, I've never been a fan of the puffy snow-bunny jacket style. By default, my best friend from November to March is the long wool peacoat.
I mean no demeaning words against those who stay bundled throughout the winter months in plush down coats provided by The North Face or Columbia - surely they stay warm. But the bulkiness of a coat like that can be avoided with a classic peacoat that offers plenty of warmth from the neck down.
My favorite thing about the peacoat is that it's unbelievably durable without sacrificing style. Heavy-lined wool coats won't lose their shape if they're hung after every use, and they dry off from rain and wind relatively quickly, especially if you use those fancy protective sprays and gels.
Another benefit: the peacoat is a versatile fall/winter style. You can break it out as soon as you start shivering without feeling too warm or too bulky.
Peacoats come in a variety of lengths. One that hits at the hips can be adorable when paired with a skirt and long scarf. But the advantage to a mid-thigh, knee-length or longer coat is, of course, the added warmth and resistance against winter wind.
One of the trends I've noticed on the shopping racks this season is asymmetrical buttons and zippers. Cutting diagonally across the front of the coat, or vertically down one side, a look like this is a twist on an old classic.
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