Where to buy a winter coat? (Albertville, Mora: sales, high school, living)

[Mel2882]

I will be visiting the midwest in March and I am planning on moving there next year. Since I am from California, I don't normally wear a warm winter coat or anything (a sweater or light jacket usually does the trick) so I am wondering where to go to buy a winter coat that will be warm enough. What are the things I should look for (what material is warmest)? I will probably be purchasing one when I get there, but I don't want to have to do a ton of searching. I know this almost sounds like a silly question, but I don't want to pick something out and realize it doesn't help me out at all! I am willing to page as much as I need.

[golfgal]

By March in Minnesota all you are going to find in the stores are summer clothes. Your best bet is to go to one of the Land's End Inlets when you get here. I wouldn't buy one before you come if you aren't going to need it at home. We could very well have temps in the 60-70's in March, especially toward the end of the month.

[Marla Nesbett]

I got a nice one at Old Navy for a trip I made to Mpls a couple of years ago. I would go with down - nice and warm.

[Hoosier]

According to my wife who loves shopping and knows all the great deals, Kohl's and Macy's should still have some on clearance. I would check both of them while you're here. Depending on where you will be staying, you might get online and find stores closest to you and give them a call before venturing out. And a FYI, there are some excellent outlets in Albertville which is off I-94 just northwest of the cities.

[snowlandcook]

First, I can tell you that Macy's does indeed have a bunch of coats left at really reduced prices. A week or two ago, I bought a long, red, wool (women's) dress coat (for my DIL) for $82.50--it had been $285 reg price. Also, if you'd like leather, I just bought a 3/4-length, guy's leather jacket on sale at Wilson leather. I paid $59, but the original price was $219 or something like that. Head to the mall and you'll find all kinds of close-out prices right now, but by March, they'll be gone.

Before you buy, you need to assess what you'll be wearing it for. Let me explain by describing what's in my closet:

I have a down jacket (a jacket stuffed with feathers) and it is by far the warmest one I own. I wear it when I'm playing in the snow, but it would be too warm to wear when I go to the store b/c once inside I'd melt in the thing.

I also have a long (mid-calf) wool coat to wear over dresses. Wool is also very warm, but it breathes fairly well--and it looks classic.

I have a 3/4-length (mid thigh) wool coat to wear over pants suits. It's loose at the bottom so it doesn't wrinkle my blazers underneath.

I have a polyester-lined jacket (faux suede exterior) that I wear to run errands. It's warm enough for short stints outside but it's not so warm that I have to take it off inside the store.

I also have a dressy wool jacket (hip length) to wear with casual pants or jeans. It's gathered at the bottom to prevent wind from blowing up.

If you only want to buy one (which is all I'd recommend to start), buy one that you can wear with jeans or over a suit or sport coat. I assume by your name that you are male, so I'd recommend a 3/4 length leather or wool ("peacoat" style) jacket with a medium-weight (or better yet, removable--zips in and out) lining. That would be the most versatile. If it's really cold, you can always wear an extra sweater underneath.

That reminds me--don't buy one that's too tight or you won't be able to fit a sweater underneath! Besides, if it's a little roomy (but not sloppy), it will be warmer. Air (warmed by your body heat) is an insulator.

If you decide to pick up a winter sport (highly recommended), you will want to add to your wardrobe a ski jacket--one with thinsulate lining that will "wick" away any perspiration so you don't turn into a popsicle.

Good luck.

[FedUpInFtMyers]

LL Bean has some WONDERFUL coats, and they even tell you what temperatures they are best suited for. After living for 30 years in Chicagoland, it was a big help to know how warm a coat would be and what weather it was best suited for. Also make sure you have a scarf to cover your throat and neck, and be sure to have some gloves and possibly a hat (or get a hooded coat). I'd go warmer than you think you need to rather than too light because winter weather - and yes, March is still winter for a lot of those states - can be so unpredictable and change with no warning at all.

[snowlandcook]

Originally Posted by FedUpInFtMyers

LL Bean has some WONDERFUL coats, and they even tell you what temperatures they are best suited for. After living for 30 years in Chicagoland, it was a big help to know how warm a coat would be and what weather it was best suited for. Also make sure you have a scarf to cover your throat and neck, and be sure to have some gloves and possibly a hat (or get a hooded coat). I'd go warmer than you think you need to rather than too light because winter weather - and yes, March is still winter for a lot of those states - can be so unpredictable and change with no warning at all.

I second this--LL Bean has some great coats (and other merchandise). And you will definitely need a scarf, gloves (mittens are warmer), and hat. (Don't get one with a wide brim cuz they blow off on windy days.) Only high school kids who are trying to look cool don't wear them! Everyone else bundles up.

March can be either warm or cold, but considering MN just had back to back blizzards/snow storms, I'd say it's gonna be cold here. Take note: It is impossible to find weather appropriate clothing in the stores at the time you want to wear them. The merchandise in the stores is usually one or two seasons ahead. Shorts and swimsuits are arriving, and in the past week we've gotten about two feet of snow! In August, when you're hot and want a pair of shorts, the stores will be stocking sweaters. Moral: plan ahead or shop catalogs like LL Bean and Lands End. Once you get the hang of things, you can shop clearance in the stores. You'll save money, but you have to buy off season.

[Frozen Cane]

Burlington Coat Factory often has good discounts and stocks coats year round too. The department and discount stores all put their winter clothes on sale in January and even December, despite that fact that it is Minnesota and can snow on Memorial Day!

The sales at Macy's are at least 50% off by New Year's. Burlington had an extra 20% off sale this year right after Christmas, which added to the existing discounts. JCPenney has its coats at 40-50% off for virtually the entire season, from November on.

You'll want at least two coats - a "light" one and a "heavy" one. Wool, cashmere, down, and Thinsulate are all good materials to look for. A zip-out lining is a nice feature too. And of course you also want all the accessories: boots, gloves/mittens, hats, scarves, wool socks, etc.

Layering really does work and you can get away with a thinner coat at temperatures well below freezing if you have at least a thick shirt and sweater on under it.

[Dustybham]

To all of you who responded to the original posting, I want to say thanks. The original person who posted asked the very question I needed to read. So, if I arrive tomorrow night and I have a coat, and still find I don't have enough warm things will I have trouble locating extra stuff? From what I was reading, the department stores seem to be on the same cycle as in Birmingham, AL. I was surprised to read the stores put summer things out as early as we do.

[Yorkie_Mom]

You should be able to find winter things still out there, most of them on clearence. I know around our town you can still get winter wear. Take care and welcome to Minnesota. The weather here is going to be warming up, so if you come here now it won't be bad at all. Yorkie