Reviews: Coats and Sweater Coats

Elevenses is killing me. I mean that in the best way possible — they are testing my willpower every time I step foot into Anthropologie. They are unveiling coat after glorious coat and I quite possibly want all of them. I’ve already tried (and loved) the Inverness Trench ($188).

The next Elevenses coat stealing my heart is the Spartan Coat ($198). It’s the shape that I love, with the slightly pleated shoulder and collar and the bib details in the front. It strikes me as such a classic, chic shape. It has a bit of swing to it as well though the material is obviously much too heavy for any real movement. It closes via a series of hidden buttons and one snap that’s in between the visible gold clips. I like the clips as they add a fun detail. They seemed sturdy to me, not flimsy in any way.

I normally have to size up in Elevenses. I tried on a 10 and it was too big. The 8, which my iPhone ate the photos of, was much more flattering by coming in a bit at the waist. A few things to note about this coat. First, it’s really really soft. The trade-off to this is that the material is not warm enough for truly cold winter days. In mild climates this coat could easily get you through the winter. But in 4-season climates (NYC, Chicago, etc.) this coat will not be warm enough come November. Secondly, the arms are really long on this coat. I like that because it will help keep my hands warm. But on more petite frames it the coat might swallow you.

Next up is the Havana Sweater Coat ($198). The print on the coat is a glorious street scene and the cranberry cuffs, sash and lining are such a luxurious touch. Though I was expecting it I was sad that the sash was once again not as robust as the product shot shows. Much thinner in real life. I tried on the medium which fit but I did not find the coat especially flattering. The double-breasted look is what all the fashion mags like to push on larger chests but let me tell you I hardly ever find it flattering. Buttoned all the way up I looked like a stuffed turkey. But with the top set of buttons left undone the coat took on a much more agreeable look.

As you can see in the far right shot the pocket is bulging open on me. This coat isn’t especially kind to curves, though my leg tilting forward probably isn’t helping the situation much either. The material is slightly itchy and the coat I tried on was already pilling. I liked this coat better than I thought I would but can’t justify full price for it. On sale I would consider it. Jacquelyn also reviewed this coat here.

My next try-on was the Gumshoe Sweater Coat ($168) which I loved based on the name alone. By Charlie & Robin, it’s made of a soft non-pilly wool that is lighter than a real coat. I gave the medium a shot and while form-fitting it fit. I still had a free range of movement. I picked the ivory for photos since it shows up the best but I liked the purple version a lot better. The ruffles on the placket stand up a bit too much with the coat closed and will have to be pressed down.

I like the pockets a lot with the big button that matches the functional ones. The coat is pretty nice either open or closed. All in all it’s a more subtle way to embrace the ruffly sweater coat/cardigan look that Anthro is pushing this fall.

Tracy Reese’s Elimovna Coat ($298) is unlike any other coat I’ve seen this year. It’s fabulous. I saw it getting a lot of attention from the youngin’ crowd at Rockefeller Center but I feel that any age could rock this coat equally. The high waist on this coat left me a little out of proportion. I tried on my true size 6 and just laughed — too small. The 8 was better and so that is the size I photoed. If I were to buy this coat I’d probably go for a 10 so I could fit heavy layers below it.

The frog closures are pretty intricate with layers of black swirls. There is also a line of snaps on the placket. I love coats that close with snaps! I already own a pink winter jacket so this one is off my list. But I endorse it. It’s a warm coat sure to please throughout the chilly months. Natalie of Anthropologie Addict reviewed this coat as well. Kim of Anthroholic gave her take in this post.

On a whim I grabbed Moth‘s Submerged Honeycomb Cardigan ($148). The cardigan looks like the undersea view as seen through a stained glass window. It’s ornate yet done in a subtle palette.

Normally I whine to high heaven about long sweaters with sashes, but in this case it totally worked. The reason? A bubble hem. Never thought I’d say it, but the bubble hem really helped to create a shape. I am wearing a medium above but I will probably get this in my true size small. The alpaca wool mix is a bit scratchy but not terribly so. This sweater will shed.

The only thing I did not like about the cardigan is that there is way too much of a gap between the top button and the second button. That’s why the website’s product photo has the top button undone. In real life the cardigan was wide open between the two top buttons even when they’re buttoned. It looked like I missed a button. This doesn’t really matter to me because I wouldn’t wear the top button done anyway. Of everything I tried on I liked this sweater best and it’s 2nd on my list of September buys (after the contest prizes, of course!).