As fall approaches, I am on the hunt for my daughter’s winter coat. I love jackets and live in Texas…bad combo seeing as we only need a coat one day a year. Each winter, I restrain myself from buying my daughter both a traditional and trendy jacket. Last winter I decided on trend and purchased a puffer coat. BIG mistake. It looked so cute in the store with faux fur trimmed hood and all, but when she slipped it on at home it was more like a Halloween Costume…think Strawberry Shortcake meets Sumo Wrestler suit. I made her wear it anyway…poor thing. So this year I want style combined with function. Is that possible in anything fashionable? Is mobility that important if she only wears it for a total of five minutes this season? So, I am torn between the traditional vs. trendy again.
In one corner, sits the adorable tailored Blue Bouquet Coat wool coat ($220) from Chasing Fireflies. The picture doesn’t do it justice. I got the catalog in the mail. I wish you could see all the beautiful details that make this coat special. The sleeves have a slight princess puff at the shoulder. The collar, pockets, cuff, and back cinch tab are in contrasting soft brown velvet. There is a decorative three button detail on the cuffs. The collar and pockets are adorned with floral embroidery and the back cinches together with velvet tab and fabric buttons. The front buttons are also covered in a gorgeous floral print. Inside you find a fun floral print lining. All is finished off with a flower brooch ($20) that is sold separately. This jacket is cheerful, whimsical, and everything a little girl should wear. You are only young once. Most importantly, it appears comfy, cute, and motion ready. If you’re looking for jackets for extreme winters, you might want to read this article at altitude-blog.com/en/best-winter-jackets-for-extreme-canadian-winters/ before you get one.
In the other corner, trendy meets traditional in the Madeleine coat from Neige, one of my new favorite designers. While it may not have all the luxurious details as above, sometimes simplicity makes a bigger statement. The classic dot pattern and color combination remind me of Sugar n Spice…and everything nice. The style may appear traditional, but details such as the rustic, hand-carved wooden buttons add flare and sophistication. However, do I really care whether my three year old is sophisticated? No, but this coat is gorgeous and she doesn’t know the difference. This wool coat contains a 100 percent cotton lining, so your little one won’t itch either. Add a brooch to make it your own. Again, the criteria of comfort, mobility, and fashion forward style are all apparent. Find this Niege Madeleine Coat at a retailer near you.
So now, what’s a mom to do? I love both coats. In the meantime, I have spent an entire evening hemming and hawing over this decision while the jacket may not see the light of day. Why wasn’t I reading my stack of important fall style magazines, enjoying a glass of wine, and taking a relaxing bubble bath?