Thoughts on this trench coat? (eta quick decision made thx to YLF wisdom)

My favorite eBay seller has for sale an Eileen Fisher waterproof trench in Primrose color that I have been looking at off and on. I have included pictures of both the stock photos as well as the real photos of the trench up for sale. It is new with tags and IMHO, a very reasonable price.

I like the style in that you can wear the neckline open or fully done up
depending on the weather, that it's 100% water and wind proof, and I adore the back gather which helps to give me shape. My only pause is the color - although the primrose works well with my hair and skin coloring, I'm wondering about versatility. That having been said, my only other coat for fall and spring (before getting into the heavier winter coats) is my navy London Fog which is a completely different style.

The EF jacket in question is a Petite Large. I wear both medium and large in EF depending on the item and I think the petite large would allow layering of my various blazers, etc.

What do you think of this color and style for me?

P.S. Yes, I am beginning to think of fall. Fall/winter are my dominant seasons and I'm learning to buy a bit at a time for it to ease the "all at once" budget pain.

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20 Comments

  • columbine(erin) replied 9 years ago

    I have no doubt the color would be fab on you. I have no idea on the size; can you return it if it doesn't work? Or tailor it?

  • Tanya replied 9 years ago

    I think that both the model and the color will work great on you, as you wear lots of neutrals that this would be great accent color for.

  • columbine(erin) replied 9 years ago

    Ps I can easily imagine the front view being very fab; I do wonder how the back will lay with the waist band. It has potential for sure.

  • Diana replied 9 years ago

    Does it have a closure other than the belt, Shannon?  I mentioned this on Lyn's thread the other day too - coats like this, if they don't have a closure, in my experience don't stay closed well and end up looking like bathrobes.  But if it has hidden buttons or hooks or something, then that's not an issue. 

  • Inge replied 9 years ago

    I can definitely see this colour work for you, Shannon. I'm still amazed about how versatile my coats in non-neutral colours have turned out to be (bright green wool Winter coat, and fuchsia trench for Spring and Fall), so I wouldn't worry about that.

    I was going to ask the same thing as Diana though: if the only way to close it, is with the belt, that may not be the most practical.

  • deb replied 9 years ago

    This color would look great on you. The coat appears to have a lot of volume and if it is too big it may appear more voluminous. That would be my only concern.

  • catgirl replied 9 years ago

    I have the same concern as Diana.  Plus, I know you are veering much more toward drape/lack of structure, but I think a coat is such a workhorse you may want to think about how fully you want to embrace the drape in a big ticket stand out item.  Have you gone completely to the drape side? :)

  • Transcona Shannon replied 9 years ago

    This is why I come to YLF for your wisdom!

    I will double check re: buttons and the seller does full refund returns no problem (I've purchased from her before) so no worries if it didn't fit.

    Interesting you have some concerns about the back waist band columbine - that is one of the things I really like about the coat.

    Off to check out the button issue and will be back...

  • Transcona Shannon replied 9 years ago

    Forgot to answer your question Una - I'm not completely over to the drape side (is that like the Dark Side?). I take it you see this jacket as quite drapey? all trench coats look drapey when open, no?

  • catgirl replied 9 years ago

    Well, it looks flowy and the material seems soft.  I think some trenches are stiffer, at least the more classic ones.  The Burberrys were beautiful but almost too rigid for me.

    The Drape Side is better than the Dark Side!  Instead of a Sith Lord, you can be a Silk Lord.  Bwahahaha.

  • Diana replied 9 years ago

    Oh, Una makes a good point about stiffness in trench coats.  I personally love a trench coat with a stiff collar (so I can pop it up and swish around all Dracula-ey, you know), so I think I'd find the collar on this one too floppy.  I like structure around my shoulders too.  My coats all have shoulder pads, in fact.  Does this one?  I think shoulder pads or other shoulder structure would go a long way toward making it not overwhelming. 

  • unfrumped replied 9 years ago

    I love the color. I have a raspberry trench that makes me happy when I wear it.
    I'm not sure of the cut and style for you or whether you want more structure or a different type of waist definition. Are you able to try on some similar styled coats (not necessarily EF) in stores? Usually I get some idea of what works and doesn't that way.

  • Vildy replied 9 years ago

    If you look at the left side of picture #4, it looks to have a same color snap.

  • Suz replied 9 years ago

    I adore this as a second trench coat.  I would love a classic more structured one, and I would love something like this for a change and for dressier situations. So pretty. 

    PS will you please PM me the name of your magic EF ebay seller again? I seem to have lost that info and I am always hunting and hoping....

    I do hear what Diana says about the fastenings. If it doesn't have anything other than a belt, then it may be too impractical in our climate. 

  • Beth Ann replied 9 years ago

    I'm agreeing a lot with Suz these days, which must be I'm brilliant!  I like this as a complement to a structured trench and, might I add, a dressed-up gearish trench, that would be best for travel. 

    I love the color, and the back detail to rein in volume.  I'm not sure that the collar might not be a bit large.  I'd estimate that you'd do best with the medium.

  • Suja replied 9 years ago

    I agree with Diana and Inge.  If there is a better internal closure, I think it would be great.  I have several non-neutral coats and they are actually much more versatile than they seem.  Love the color for a rainy day!

  • Angie replied 9 years ago

    My thumbs are down, Shannon. Bad back belt finish, too robe-like, too large collar and no front closure. Colour is fab though. 

  • Elizabeth P replied 9 years ago

    My gut reaction is that this is just too much coat.  The colour is gorgeous though. 

  • Joy replied 9 years ago

    Love the color!  It would be perfect for October (wear pink for breast cancer awareness).  However, I would worry that the big collar would overpower your petite frame, or at least throw off proportions.

  • Transcona Shannon replied 9 years ago

    Clearly I was looking at this coat through rose colored glasses (get it? "rose colored'....)!

    Thank you for the wisdom ladies re: too big a collar, not enough shape, and front closure issues. For info the seller did get back to me already (she is fab!) and the jacket has two hidden snaps but no buttons.

    Onward - thank you :)

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