My sister was in town this past weekend to see a Broadway show with me. (We saw “Promises, Promises” which was incredible, why the heck is that show closing??) On Saturday we went shopping. I conveniently placed us back in the Times Square area and then headed uptown until we just happened to be near Anthropologie’s Rockefeller Center location. After a quick detour to Top of the Rock we headed inside. I grabbed as many coats as my arms could support and headed downstairs to try them on.
Tracy Reese’s Andrick Coat ($348) is the stuff of dreams. I covet all things wine/crimson/similar shades. The detailing is fantastic on this coat and kudos to Anthropologie — I noticed sharp detail shots on the product page which allow for proper online inspection. In real life the coat lived up to the hype. It’s fully lined and while not especially thick it’s nice and warm. The proportions are excellent. Since the waist hits at exactly the right spot on my 5’8″ frame I found this coat flattering and slimming. Nice combination! The collar on mine was open rather than buttoned up to show the faux fur.
I tried on an 8 which to my delight fit perfectly. Usually I wear a 10 in coats. I could have fit a thick sweater underneath easily so you’re good to size down one size in this jacket. It requires some patience to undo the buttons and snap all the snaps this coat has, but once you do it’s completely worth it. The coat moves nicely as you walk. There’s no stiffness. I like the faux fur accents, though my other winter coat (last year’s Deep Woods Toggle Coat) has the same trim. I don’t have any practical use for this coat but I want it! Badly. Wishlisted.
The Set Free Cardigan ($128) is basically the jet set crowd’s Snuggie. It’s a blanket with sleeves. In this case though the blanket is a beautiful Fair Isle pattern specifically designed to reel in snow bunnies like me. Consider me hooked!
My usual size medium was instant love. My sister just laughed at me in this (the ski superhero’s cape, she lamented) but I am in love. I can see myself in Stowe in front of the fire, playing Scrabble after a day on the hill. Sleeping on Snow chose an elegant pattern and while wool is the main ingredient here this wrap is soft as anything. Practical? Perhaps not. But fashionable? Most definitely. Wishlisted.
Elevenses’ Wanigan Coat (now $100) sold out pretty quickly online once it hit sale. Free shipping tends to do that. But I saw plenty of this coat at both the Soho and Rockefeller Center Anthropologies so I figure the review is still worthwhile. I liked the lumberjack qualities of this coat and the warm faux fur neck had me feeling cozy even before I had the jacket on. There’s an odd combination of trends in this piece — not really liking the brass band buttons down the front. The jacket closes via a center front zip.
I tried on an 8 but should have gone with my usual 10. The 8 was hugging my chest. The peplum below the waist is awfully cute, but the waist hit me a bit too high and so this jacket was floating off my hips as though some reversed magnets were pushing the two apart. I’m sure this wouldn’t be so pronounced in the 10. I like the thick tab cuffs and while the sleeves are a bit tight I could tell the fit was otherwise right. Had I gone with my usual size everything would have been perfect.
I was very excited to see Cartonnier’s All Along Knit Jacket ($88) in real life. I thought it looked so cute in the video outfit set a couple of weeks ago. I knew the jacket was cropped but it looked almost child-sized on the hanger. After some consideration I grabbed my usual size medium and headed downstairs. Though this blazer is knit it was a good shape to it; I liked how it laid on me while open. The cut is modern yet it will last for years to come. The buttons have a nice worn look to them.
Of course I should have known the medium would be tight. The main issue here is of course my chest, which takes up a good two-thirds of this jacket. I don’t think a large would really help — this is a length issue more than anything. So while I find the design cute this jacket won’t work for me. Back to the rack (regrettably).
Anthropologie had been slipping in some boring product names recently, but they’re back to hitting home runs with the Winding Willow Sweater Jacket ($148). This Rosie Neira jacket is pretty much a hacking jacket done in wool. If only I had a hunter pace to ride in this fall! There’s a bit of a tail to the back of this jacket. I’m dubious as to its success.
A medium was a close fit but again it was the length that gave me trouble here. I am tall and I have a long torso so it’s not a complaint. I just wish Anthropologie would consider making tall versions of their clothing! (Please? Pretty please?) Were this jacket 3 inches longer it would have come home with me. Instead I’ve got ruffles trailing upwards instead of sitting pretty and a waist that’s sitting an inch or two above the actual location of said waist. Boo. Pretty, well-designed and nicely executed, but a pass for improper fit.
Tabitha’s Tyndall Coat ($248) has a timeless style. I wish I’d been wearing a dress under this one to complete the look, though it’s not hard to imagine a cute cloche and opera gloves with this piece. I’m not sure I’m on board with the 7/8 sleeve here — I can do 3/4, I can do bracelet. But this weird in-between length is just hard to pull off.
I found myself swimming in the 8. No doubt this coat is meant to be generously cut but I felt like I was a kid dressing up in mom’s coat. I would buy this coat in a 6. Though the model shot makes this coat look purple it’s all beige — no tones of purple in sight. This coat felt moderately thick and of medium warmth. I don’t think it would cut it below 40 without a warm sweater underneath. I’m not sold on this one quite yet but a price cut could sway me. Wishlisted for reconsideration at sale time.
Part trench coat, part winter coat, Tabitha’s Dusk Ruffles Coat ($228) is an architectural stunner. A trail of middle ruffles conceal buttons down the front while a tonal plaid lends some visual interest to this coat. I could barely wait to try it on.
I went for my usual size 10 in coats but found myself needing a smaller size. When it comes time to purchase this coat an 8 will the way to go. The sleeves are quite wide on this jacket; I’m not really sure why. I love the shiny quality the pattern has. There are pockets too. For warmer climates this could easily serve as your rainy season coat. Here in four-season land that won’t quite work out but it’s a great evening option no matter the time of year. Wishlsited!
Sunner released a few fun capes last year, so it’s nice to see them back again with some options for 2010. This is their Double Duty Cape ($248). I like how it’s cut from the same fabric as winter peacoats with a similar lining. Instead of feeling as though I was in a foreign object I felt right at home.
I tried on my true size medium. Though it was flowy it felt tight around the chest so I’d size up to a large to buy this. I couldn’t help but play with the sleeves! I felt like a Sherlock Holmes-esque character in this. A couple of slant pockets keep this cape utilitarian while gold snaps make it fun. This is my favorite cape so far! Wishlisted.
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