What would be a good winter coat to buy for a female friend who just moved from Phoenix to Chicago?

Patagonia all the way. Start with the Fitzroy series and then look at others with more layers.

How much do you want to spend? What is her style? You can go the down puffer sleeping bag route, the very stylish Mackage route, the Canada Goose route.

Reasonably priced (by quality - lowest first): Eddie Bauer, Lands End, LLBean, JCrew, Columbia

Make sure they cover the hip, hooded with cuffs.

There are designer brands worth $1000 but not worth the price for me.

Also Northface.

JCrew has the most variety from down to Italian Wool. If she wants to spend a little extra try Boden. Very British style.

I liked Land's End and LL Bean.

But then again, I'm a lesbian.

In a less casual direction -- something wool, knee-length.

My favorite coat is a black wool pea coat, mid-thigh.

OP, buy here something suitable for an Antarctic expedition. From Arizona to Chicago? This woman is going to be MISERABLE. Get her some arctic grade warm boots, too.

R6, are you single, how do you like Florida? Looking into it.

I live in Minnesota, and have a Columbia puffer coat, but I prefer layers and am on a budget.

Doesn't matter the brand, just get real down-filled and below the knee.

Doesn't matter the brand, just get real down-filled and below the knee.

I find it does matter. I once bought a coat and there were feathers coming out of the seams! Every time I took it off I looked like I was playing chickens. There are down alternatives that are just as warm. I got a great puffer coat from JCrew. No down. Very Warm.

Perfect time of year to buy a winter coat. Retailers are clearing them out and marking them down. Check nordstromrack.com or other websites to see what's out there. Good luck.

What would y'all recommend for coats that are warm, but not super bulky? It's like I'm wearing a fatsuit when I put on my coat.

GIFT CERTIFICATE.

Thread Closed

Warning, OT!! Skip if you're here for a coat.

R9, in general, I love living in FL - but not where I'm living now. Still, any kind of area you're looking for, you can find it here. Urban, rural, deplorable, educated, cosmopolitan, gay, even cold in the winter! -- if you have enough money, you can live there. The boys here mention Wilton Manors a lot, although I've never been there. St. Pete, where I used to live, is pretty liberal and has a decent-sized gay population. Ft. Lauderdale, too. Leon County, home to Tallahassee and FSU (and chilly winters), is said to have the highest proportion of educated people in Florida. And there's always Key West (expensive, though).

I'm relatively poor and retired, so I bought a cheap trailer on its own land (important!) and live out in the boonies in Deploraville. But this area is beautiful country, the kind of forest I didn't even know existed in FL. And I'm an hour to the east from the beach.

But the three gay people I've met since I've been here all voted for Trump.

For the brutal Chicago winters, this will suffice.

Something extra cunty... how about a white mink coat?

R6 and R9 have begun the process of jointly renting a U-Haul for a 'not-funny' road trip on the way to their new home in DeLand, FL.

Boots! Omg, she'll be miserable without a good insulated pair of snow boots. That and a warm hat and gloves. I'm in Chicago and today, I have two t shirts , two sweaters, and my winter coat on. I have my warm hat on all the time, which I look dumb in but who cares? I'm not gonna be cold..... not the time to think about being sexy

R20 Oh my goodness you poor dear.

I am in Tucson, AZ and today the high is 72 with nary a cloud in the endless blue sky. Wearing a T-shirt and a pair of shorts.

I can imagine OP's friend is shell shocked from the extreme temperature differential.

Nothing shouts "fabulous!" quite like chinchilla!

If she has already relocated from AZ to Chicago surely she didn’t go without a warm coat?

Marmot is hella warm I would suggest a below the knee hooded down coat. Not cute but Chicago is crazy cold. Columbia has more modestly priced options. Windproof is a good option.

You can find these brands cheaper at Sierra Trading Company.

Don't working people in AZ and Southern CA own winter coats for when they travel for work to northern states?

A dress coat or recreation one?

Is she thin or larger? Young or older? Trendy at all? Below the knee is not flattering. Below the hip but above the knee is. Does flattering matter?

A coat is such a personal thing. I would never buy one for someone else. It's like buying a woman her wedding dress for her.

As a woman who lives in an artic region (Vermont), I recommend Lands end or LL bean if you are looking for specifically WARM because they list the ranges of temperature their coats are recommended for. And they're really on point with that and good coats. they also run true to size/big

A coat that a bullet proof vest can be worn under.

I hear yak is popular this season.

Chicago is very windy in winter. We’re talking windchill factors below zero. You need to protect against the wind.. Let her decide what kind of coat to get but I would recommend one below the knees and with a hood.

A gentleman does not buy clothes for a woman unless she is his invalid mother.

She moved from Phoenix?

On scoping her civilian wardrobe, would you conclude that she is a fashion victim?

Patagonia has the worst website of all brands suggested here. That alone keeps me from buying from them. Columbia and JCrew are the current front runners.

A goose down coat that covers her butt.

A nice beaver fur.

OP, she's an adult. Is she incapable of shopping for herself?

This one. It’s rated to -25 degrees.

Is she stylish, OP?

Kanuk makes stylish winter coats, perfect for a Chicago winter.

Go Kanuk!

Moncler, Gucci, Prada, St Laurent, Brunello Cucinelli, Balmain, and of course- The Jaclyn Smith Collection

Macy's has a great selection of winter apparel.

ha, r44, I just got this last week. it's warm to probably 20 degrees. It's really lightweight and thin and cute but warmer than my peacoat

Land End parkas. High quality, reliable and basic in a good way.

Gift certificate to some place specializing in down coats. If you need something personalized, get her a hat and scarf. Also flannel jammies/nightgowns.

Any of the parka places are good for a gift certificate. Also good: knit hat, scarf, gloves, flannel nightgown or jammies, warm robe. All will be greatly appreciated.

Op you are so sweet.

North Face or patagonia

OP, this a very considerate and kind gesture. Very touching.

You could get her a nice scarf!