It's been getting a bit parky hasn't it? The temperatures are playing that "how low can you go" game aren't they? They think they can win? They have to reckon with me and my parka!
Tis a thing of beauty and warmth :o) Okay, it's a thing of warmth but it's not been shortchanged on the looks department either. Translated, I don't feel like I gave up on fashion just because it got cold. I'm afraid my old faithful Primark padded number is starting to wear a little thin. It's done 5 years and at a cost of £13, it's served me grand but I really thought I could do with something a little more substantial this year. I toyed with the idea of the North Face Metropolis which I tried on last year but I didn't get the same gush of love that I got when I tried this on. You have to go with your gut instincts some times.
The sleeves are a little long but that's not a bad thing because when it's really cold, I drop them down a bit and pull the cold hands in (I am only 5ft 1.5").
Now you see them, now you don't!
And the word "waterproof" totally grabbed me. Not something you normally associate with garments found in Zara.
And other things which reeled me in? Look at this lush furriness! On the collar, I have baby labrador. On the hood, I have baby wolf. Ow ow wooo!
It's "furry furry" nice.
And did I mention the pockets? Look at these pockets!!!!
Not only are they huge and deep ... they are fleece lined! Honetly, I didn't know fleece lined pockets could induce such excitement from me either but well you learn a new thing about yourself every day. If you get the chance to see this parka in store, go and check out the pockets and you'll understand where I'm coming from. Think how a baby Joey would feel in it's mummy's pouch and this is how your hands will feel in these pockets. I could hibernate in these pockets. I could sleep a hundred years in these pockets. Can you tell I love these pockets? I luuurrrrvve these pockets!
It's got a lot going for it hasn't it?
But the piece de resistance? Look at this hood.
Hi!
It's a proper Kenny hood! Hee hee hee.
I'm the one on the right.
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Last Note :
These were a few I also considered :
I'm a bit of a sucker for the waxed finish and I know it's from the kid's section but if you can fit in one, why not? They go up to size XXL which they equate with an age 14/15. I bet that would fit a UK 8/10. Or if you can't squeeze in the kid's one, they do actually do an adult version here as well. But it's £80 more :o(
It's in a colour called Forest. Not green. But Forest. Fab. I am a colour snob. It's like we don't have magnolia on the walls - no, no, no, no! We have "parchment" or "sandy dunes" but never "magnolia". The colour takes it up a notch. Looks pretty smart too.
For some reason, this just looks warm. This one appeals because it's a little utilitarian (plain in other words), and looks like it's there to do a job. No frills on this one ... but a little bit of fur on the hood just to make sure we are not totally a dull boy. Okay, okay, the word "down" totally sold itself to me as well. Down = warm.
So - what are you keeping warm in this winter?
I cannot cannot cannot resist a good parka blog post - this is SUEper!
ReplyDeleteI love them so much. I have 2 green ones and feel I need a blue one - they are the best when it comes to a winter coat. I am off to look more closely at the Mango one - thank you for highlighting!
Fiona
Your SUEper pun did not go unnoticed Fiona :o)
DeleteI love the fact that you just stated that you have two green parkas, need a blue one and went off to look at the forest green one.
Oh god I love fleece lined pockets. My Fjallraven parka has them and I praise our parka-crafting Swedish overlords every single winter because of them. Also, I genuinely laughed at Kenny. You're awesome!
ReplyDeleteI had to google FJallraven and they look the business. Water resistant G-1000 fabric - sounds hugely technical which means it can only be a good thing. Now do they do ones with fleecy insides?
DeleteOh and the Kenny hood - it's fab. Unfortunately, it's the kind of hood that could get you knocked over as you can only see straight ahead. Ah well.
I walk everywhere so I splurged on one a few years ago, and I haven't regretted it for a second. I've worn it in temperatures as cold as -15 so far and it keeps me oh so warm and toasty! There's fleece inside the hood and pockets but not in the lining. It does have ingenious gadget-pockets, though! Keeps my iPhone warm!
DeleteIs this from the TRf section? Looks really warm and good on you! The fur as well doesn't look like a uncared for dog like some I have seen, it looks really expensive like it should be on a £350+ coat ...... Good buy Sue!! X
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed from the TRF section. I did a bit of a double take when I saw it there too but I tried it on and I kind of went "that's the one". I didn't buy it straightaway and then panicked when I couldn't find it online and thought it had all sold out but I think it just hit the store the day I found it. And the fur on the hood is lovely - I know what you mean about the "uncared for dog" fur - I see a lot of scratty offerings like that which are best avoided. The fur on this one looks good.
DeleteDid you get to try the H&M parka at all? I saw it online but I hesitated to order because I fluctuate so much in their sizing (sometimes I'm an 8 or 10 in their coats depending on which line it is--L.O.G.G. vs regular H&M) Your Zara hood is great! Howl-worthy indeed.
ReplyDeleteWell I was dithering over ordering the H&M parka but the delivery times kind of put me off a little and it isn't in the stores that I pass so I can't vouch for it in real life. I liked the navy (but not that cheap navy you sometimes get) and it also looked like it's nicely padded but still quite flattering with no unnecessary bulk. I know what you mean about the sizing though, I'm an 8 in some coats and a 10 in others too in H&M but it also depends on the cut. Shame it's not in the store so I can vouch for the sizing for you. I take it you are still looking for a winter coat? Did you not go for the North Face?
DeleteLooks fabulous! I have my North Face padded one which cost a lot but I love. Only trouble is my middle son winces at the rustling noise it makes and makes me take it off when we are in the car together! Kids!
ReplyDeleteYou have the Metropolis and it is a great coat. More pricey but you get what you pay for. And I understand about the rustling - I have that problem when I wear my little Uniqlo down jacket. Drives me a bit nuts.
DeleteExcellent review and it looks perfect on you! It says removeable hood which would sell it to me alone. I have been debating whether to get another parka or not this winter: I thought if it's going to be 'mild' I can manage with what I already have (the coat nut that I am) but if it's as blood freezing as it gets (remember I am down South) then I would need something substantial plus hood because my head gets really cold and I have less hair than you. I did look at the shorter jacket puffer styles and a few others but none had everything in one until this - great hunting as always Sue! I am giving one parka over to my Tween so I will just have the one for Autumn/Spring plus I do need a really warm casual coat.
ReplyDeleteHow is the sizing?
I have to say the hood is the bit which gives it the luxe factor but I take it you like the fact it's removable so you can wear other hats with it? I have to say, this is one of the warmest coats I've tried on - I just immediately felt insulated and I can really feel the difference between wearing this and one of my wool coats. This one beats the wool coats, hands down. I bought this in a medium and it's a good fit bar the extra couple of inches on the sleeves but for once I don't see that as a problem. I did try on the small but I thought that was just a little too snug and the medium allows for extra layers. I've taken to being a soccer mum and so this is perfect for those chilly sessions standing around. I think it just felt a bit more substantial than some of the other coats I've looked at out there. Let me know how you get on in your coat search.
DeleteYes, I always like the option to take off the hood :-) My H&M peacoat came today and the Universe is telling me quite clearly I am not to have it because they sent a size 16 instead of 8! And yes, if I was stuck outside like you with soccer this parka's a lifesaver - fortunately for me I'm not so will try to make do this season especially with the addition of my black peacoat already....and keep eyes peeled during the sales of course!
DeleteOh dear - size 16 would absolutely drown you. Mine is due to arrive any day now (whistles impatiently and rolls eyes). Hope I get the right size sent to me! Are you going to send it back and get them to send you the correct size?
DeleteOh sue! It's so yummy! I love the h&m one too - off to buy it right now (reading your blog is expensive!) X
ReplyDeleteSorry Fen - if it makes you feel any better, I want some Sorel boots like yours. Your blog is expensive too!
DeleteUgh, I also want Sorel. Maybe in the January sales?
DeleteI saw some for half price yesterday in Secret Sales or something and I was hovering over the button but I have wellies and thermo socks - that will do for now.
DeleteFab parka. It looks perfect on you! Stylish and practical,what more could you ask for? Lynne x
ReplyDeleteI've actually found something useful for once, Lynne. William Morris would be proud of me.
DeleteSoooooooo jel! I'm on the hunt for a warm waterproof parka! So needed down here being so close to the sea! Yours is just gorgeous & I love the Kenny hood! Ax
ReplyDeleteYou definitely need a warm waterproof parka especially living by the sea. It's always that bit colder there than inland. Hope you find yours - Kenny hood and all.
DeleteLOL you crack me up every time! The comparison between you and Kenny? love that. Seems like a pretty incredible jacket. I still can't believe you went 5 years with a parka that only cost 13 quid... that's kind of amazing! x
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I have spent 5 winters in a £13 coat! I couldn't fault it - perfect length and fit and it kept me warm and dry but it is past it's best and the next nearest is the North Face Metropolis. But having spent 5 years in one style, I did fancy something a little different even if I do look like Kenny in it :o)
DeleteIt's a lovely parka for sure, love it xx
ReplyDeleteThank you Sharron. I love it too.
DeleteI love it - I want one. The waterproof and warmth duo is calling to me - although I should wait for the sales as am skint and now I have Blur stuck in my head - not really my favourite song! :)
ReplyDeleteAh - you got the title then. Should have known. And I love Song 2 - perfect head mosh number.
DeleteYou're such a cute ball of fur - and this sounds pervy - but you have the most kissable looking lips xx Parka looks good too.
ReplyDeleteOkay - it's only a teeny bit weird but I'll take it as a mahoosive compliment about my lips :o)
DeleteLooking super cool in your Parka Sue! Love the fur lined hood.....it oozes coziness x
ReplyDeleteIt is absolutely cosy - I have to give it 11 out of 10 for cosiness. The fur lined hood is a winner isn't it?
DeleteLooks so cozy! You know I loved your old one, but I understand that sometimes you just need to move on ;) And I'm all for the long sleeves, hiding fingers in sleeves is much better than wearing gloves! Stay warm! (We woke up to snow on the rooftops in Madrid this morning, which is pretty rare around here!)
ReplyDeletewww.nomadicd.com
Not moving on from the green one - that's a permanent fixture in the coat wardrobe but it's not substantial enough for this weather. Put it this way, if it's raining, I tend to leave it behind as it's a cotton outer. This black one is a different ball game - this one was bought with a practical (and a teeny little fashion) head on. And the long sleeves are actually a bonus - I can wear my touch screen gloves and still tuck them inside my sleeves. Double insulation!
DeleteAnd you have snow already? Wrap up warm!
You set off a stalker alert on this post Sue ;) Love, Love love this on you. I love a Parka and this looks SO much better on you than on the Zara Models. Laughing out loud at the Kenny comparison ( spot on ) xx
ReplyDeleteIt's the same one as Frances' (School Run Mum). We found out on Pinterest that we both had the same parka. And I was showing the mums on my school run how brilliant the pockets were and how I could stick my hands inside the sleeves and they looked like robot shooters and then the fab Kenny hood. Yup - I was very happy with my parka and yup I'm a big kid :o)
DeleteI love mine too....did exactly the same as you tried it on in Sept confirmed it was 'the one' but didn't buy then panicked when I didn't see it online and made a mad dash back to buy! It is still in stores so it seems everyone hasn't cottoned on to the fact it is the best parka ever!! Great post and I love the hood too I can actually go incognito in it!! Xxxx
ReplyDeleteHey great tastes and all eh? You look fab in yours and it's just on the right side of practical yet cool isn't it? Yes I did get seriously worried when I couldn't spot it on line as I wanted to order online to get a beautiful untouched one. Getting weird like Joanna from Poppy's style.
DeleteGorgeous parka Sue,I was also admiring that Mango one whilst out shopping last week:)
ReplyDelete~Anne
And is the Mango one good in real life? We only have a small Mango near me and I've not seen it in store but the colour really drew me in for that one. I could totally see you in that one - a little bit smarter and very "chic" for a parka.
DeleteOh you are hilarious .. I don't think I've ever seen or read such a rave review of a parka! However ... I have a question re the pockets. See the zips? Don't they hurt your hands as you take them in and out of your pockets? Small technical detail which irritates me on my otherwise gorgeous Michael Mortell waxed jacket which I've had for about 12 years.
ReplyDeleteI see the zips and they bugged me for about 2 mins. The lush fleeciness is worth the zip torture. To misquote Loreal. "they're worth it".
DeleteSue, I love it. I made a huge error when pregnant 2.5 yrs ago and bought a huge Nike down coat thingy. I look like I'm wearing a shiny duvet. I spent a few pennies on it so feel I can't replace yet but boy does it look the pits. I wish I hadn't made such an impulsive buy but I was desperate to be covered up in the wet school runs :( x
ReplyDeleteI was trying to avoid the shiny path - there are some scary coats out there. I always think of it this way, better to be warm and not looking brill, rather than cold and freezing :o) You enjoy your coat!
DeleteAt first, I was interested in the Isabel Marant Etoile "Felton" parka but after trying it on, found it was so heavy and bulky for such a hefty price I ditched the idea of getting it. Now I'm obsessed by another pricy parka the "Sophia" by Acne however praying all gods it's available in my size and the color I want BUT with a giant discount! Otherwise, making do with last year's Uniqlo down. But thanks for reminding me of Zara, they always have a great variety of downs.
ReplyDelete