Coats, Coats, Coats!
What does your entryway look like? If it's anything like mine, it is overrun with approximately 20 coats. There are four of us living under our roof, and each one of us has a coat for every winter occasion. From fall to spring, the up and down weather patterns mean that you have to be prepared for all conditions – pow days, rainy day, unseasonably warm days, days that you are going for brunch, days when the margaritas and patacones at Nevados are calling your name. Of course, you can have just one jacket, but where is the fun in that? Is there even such a thing as a one-coat-for-all? Maybe that magical jacket is out there, but I doubt that would suffice in Fernie, unless you don't ski or snowboard, then perhaps you could get away with it. Maaayyybe. I'll try to include it in my ongoing investigation!
When I ventured downtown, I was thinking that I knew what I was going I find but was pleasantly surprised by the variety. I could have written about 20 different coats, but I picked just five. I tried to go with a variety, and give you a fabulous sampling of the coats available in our sweet little town. Remember, #shoplocal.
If you're looking for one coat to do it all, then your best bet is the Walk on by 5K Parka from Volcom (available at Edge of the World). With serious warmth factor, this long coat is sherpa-lined and features quilt stitching details throughout. It offers a weatherproof coating to protect against wind and rain, is available in army green or black and has a great cut that will help take you from daytime to a wintery night without missing a beat. It's like the perfect parka!
The Coastal Tide Jacket from Boardstiff is part of Rip Curl's Anti-Series - anti-cold, anti-wind, anti-rain. It is designed to keep you warm on the coldest days with down-fill for extra warmth on the coldest days. The jacket has been treated with DWR and has concealed seams to help it be water repellent. The bonded fabric helps reduce wind chill, and a soft polar fleece lining within the hood, and the upper internal body keeps your core warm in cold conditions. It holds up in the style stakes, and it's a puffy jacket that fits perfectly (not Michelin man style). Sounds like a winner!
If you read this column often or know me at all, you will most likely know that my love for the '90s runs deep. The Rusty Grammar Jacket, which is available at Edge of the World, makes all of my Offshore Music Festival 'ultimate outfit dreams' come true. I mean, it's a gorge camel oversized cord jacket with a sherpa lining. I feel like this jacket will go perfectly with jeans, a skirt or a long dress – almost anything!
The Kavu Deer Haven from Elevation Showcase is the jacket that you pull out on that beautiful spring day when the sun is out, it feels so warm (even though it's only two degrees) and you're feeling bright and cheery with the promise of the long days to come. It's insulated, a great thigh length, and has a large hood, which makes it an excellent choice for those breezy walks and will bring colour and coziness to your next adventure.
The Vero Moda Teddy Coat from Freyja Boutique is a favourite around town for a reason. The teddy trend has been a staple for a couple of years now, and it doesn't look like it's going anywhere soon. Warm, cozy and cute – you can't go wrong! Throw a band t-shirt underneath and pair it with a pair of jeans, and you have yourself a killer outfit.
I came across so many more gorgeous jackets. Especially sherpa jackets. It was hard to pick just one of those – Commit had an all-black one that, if it weren't for my 90's surf town nostalgia, would have made the cut.
Happy coat shopping!