<p>Garnet hill has a reversible down/flannel jacket.
( Although I think it is a little high for a short jacket- their clothing is generally made very well)
[Reversible</a> Flannel & Down Jacket](<a href=“http://www.garnethill.com/reversible-flannel-26-down-jacket/womens-fashion/outerwear/jackets/228424]Reversible”>http://www.garnethill.com/reversible-flannel-26-down-jacket/womens-fashion/outerwear/jackets/228424)</p>
<p>And BB if you can get away with leather pants- go for it!</p>
<p>BB - I too suspect you can carry it off. If anyone raises an eyebrow, just tell them you are German. At least among German men they are de rigeur:).</p>
<p>Alumother, great idea - I did get mistaken for a local in Berlin quite a few times. ;)</p>
<p>I had a pair of leather pants that I liked a lot. They were windproof and perfect for winter walks in the city. The cold weather got me thinking about nice, windproof and water resistant pants that do not look like the wearer is heading out for a jog or a ski outing. Leather skinny leggings are abundant in the stores, but it is not what I want. I found a pair that looks like what I had in mind: “washed” leather that is not shiny, not too skinny, styled like a pair of jeans, not made in China. Too bad it is way over my budget and not available in my size!</p>
<p>[BALENCIAGA</a> Leather pants BALENCIAGA on YOOX](<a href=“http://www.yoox.com/item.asp?cod10=36270890&tskay=3FD17CD7]BALENCIAGA”>http://www.yoox.com/item.asp?cod10=36270890&tskay=3FD17CD7)</p>
<p>LOL, I will have to put that idea on hold… :)</p>
<p>BB - Clearly a trend-setter if what you see in your mind’s eye turns out to be Balenciaga:).</p>
<p>Speaking of coats – I need some advice.</p>
<p>I’m going to be in Spain this winter into the spring. Temps will fall below freezing (the record low is 14 - snow is possible), to daytime temps anywhere from mid-30s to mid-50s. Toward the end of our trip, temps will range from mid-40s to mid-60s degrees.</p>
<p>All I know for sure is that I’m leaving my down coat at home. I know that layering is the best approach, but I still need to bring one or two coats. I’ll be in Madrid and Barcelona, so I need to be fashionable. Thoughts, ladies?</p>
<p>I bought the blue/plum dress ( also the green/mallard one) and can’t decide what to wear with it. Boots I know, but what color & how high? ( I bought regular length so it is a little longer- almost to bottom of knee)
[Printed</a> Cord Dress WH295 Above Knee Dresses at Boden](<a href=“http://www.bodenusa.com/en-US/Womens-Dresses/Above-Knee-Dresses/WH295-DGY/Womens-Coal-Honesty-Printed-Cord-Dress.html?NavGroupID=4]Printed”>http://www.bodenusa.com/en-US/Womens-Dresses/Above-Knee-Dresses/WH295-DGY/Womens-Coal-Honesty-Printed-Cord-Dress.html?NavGroupID=4)</p>
<p>Fireandrain, the temperatures you describe sound like Seattle; however, what we can get away with in my neck of the woods will not be appropriate for Madrid and Barcelona :). Take a look at Burberry coats and trenches with zip-away liners. Last year I bought a Burberry trench for my trip to Europe, and although I almost cried paying for it, that turned out to be a great buy. I wear it all the time, from September to June with or without the liner. I get compliments and get asked where I bought it all the time, but unfortunately Nordstrom no longer carries the long version of the trench.
Here is one of the coats I considered, but did not buy it because I needed something to wear over dresses:</p>
<p>[Burberry</a> Brit Swing Raincoat | Nordstrom](<a href=“http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/burberry-brit-swing-raincoat/3203013?origin=category&resultback=4182]Burberry”>http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/burberry-brit-swing-raincoat/3203013?origin=category&resultback=4182)</p>
<p>This is a coat that looks almost like a shorter version of my coat (btw, it looks horrible on the model and much better IRL!):</p>
<p>[Burberry</a> Brit Wool Lined Trench Coat | Nordstrom](<a href=“http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/burberry-brit-wool-lined-trench-coat/3139074?origin=category&resultback=3495]Burberry”>http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/burberry-brit-wool-lined-trench-coat/3139074?origin=category&resultback=3495)</p>
<p>I recommend checking every major department store that carries this brand, because selection of Burberry styles varies. Here is what is available from Burberry online:</p>
<p>[Burberry</a> - Womenswear - Coats](<a href=“Designer Womenswear | Burberry® Official”>Designer Womenswear | Burberry® Official)</p>
<p>I love Burberry. Such a classic. A family member was involved when they allowed their name to be used for a perfume about 30 years ago. The perfume never took off, but the tag line was, “You were born to it.” </p>
<p>Anyway, I also like Theory, and the great thing about Theory is that you can sometimes find a greatly reduced piece at TJM or Marshall’s.</p>
<p>[Theory</a> Coats - Shop for Theory Coats at Polyvore](<a href=“Luxury fashion & independent designers | SSENSE”>Luxury fashion & independent designers | SSENSE)</p>
<p>Love Theory! Speaking of perfumes, Burberry came out with a new perfume called Body, and I actually liked the scent, which rarely happens. I would not buy it because of the price, but I got some samples at both Nordstrom’s and Macy’s, which should be plenty for the upcoming holiday season :D</p>
<p>Burberry has outlet stores that carry a lot of great stuff at reduced prices. Check if there is one in your neck of the woods.</p>
<p>I hope Gourmetmom and Alumother posts a few ideas, too.</p>
<p>I like the original scent, but it just did not fly. It was a fascinating experience learning about the whole chemistry, the licensing and the value of counter space in the cosmetics section of a major department store. WOW - talk about expensive real estate. In the case of that perfume (and probably in this case as well) Burberry had nothing to do with the perfume, other than collecting money for the right to use their name. At the time, I wasn’t sure whether trench coats had the right allure for perfume. I mean, what does a trench coat with plaid lining have to do with smelling wonderful? Anyway - it was fun getting a peek into an industry that I knew nothing about.</p>
<p>EK - that is so cute! I would love to meet you! Your choices are always fun. As Gourmetmom pointed out one time, my choices are probably too uniformish (or in the more benign vernacular of Alum - a sturdy gal). Safe, but too predictable. I am not sure what I would do about boots - I think this is a try it and see kind of thing.</p>
<p>A removable wool lining would probably be a good idea. I have a coat like that, but it’s full-length and I was thinking I should go with something above the knees. </p>
<p>Those Burberry coats cost more than my apartment in Madrid for a week. They are just not my budget, but I get the idea.</p>
<p>I don’t normally wear empire type waist but I really liked the material & at least with an empire waist, it * has a waist*. I am also going to try it with bootie type shoes & tights- the only knee high boots I have are a pair of rustic cowboy boots & black riding boots , neither one would work I think ;).</p>
<p>I think it is fine to have a uniform style- our most stylish icons dressed in a uniform- Some people complained about the way Steve Jobs dressed but I think he looked good ( till he became very ill). Kate Hepburn had a uniform & she always looked good.</p>
<p>If I had a uniform, it would be tshirts & jeans ( with a hoodie or cardigan thrown in), but you can’t wear t-shirts & jeans everywhere. ( well I do live in Seattle- but what if I run into Bunsen? )</p>
<p>Wow that copper trench coat is eye-popping! [Burberry</a> - TEXTURED METALLIC TRENCH COAT](<a href=“Designer Womenswear | Burberry® Official”>Designer Womenswear | Burberry® Official)</p>
<p>My style swings between old style preppy and artsy. For my job (architect) I need to look both competant and creative. Since I am a one person company, I’m out measuring and talking to clients on the same days. My usual look is jeans, cords or khakis with a nice t-shirt and a jacket. Maybe artsy earrings or a short artsy necklace or pin. I never wear skirts or heels on the job. I never know when I might have to climb a ladder!</p>
<p>That reminds me- I have an iridescent ( kinda) copper trench in the guest room.
I put it away cause H doesn’t like it, but it is more stylish than my REI gear.
Thanks for the reminder!</p>
<p>That copper trench caught my eye too! I also like that shorter black and white wool tweed coat. I just bought my s his first Burberry coat - a simple dark navy mid thigh reefer style. So handsome!</p>
<p>Fireandrain - you said that you’ll take two coats on your trip. I guess that you would like a casual shorter jacket or coat to wear with pants and jeans, and a longer dressier coat for professional appointments and dinners out. </p>
<p>This is a great coat, especially at this price point. It looks like a $1200 coat instead of under $500. I have the same coat in an orangey red and I just love it - wore it today in fact with the chilly noreaster blowing in. Milly coats fit quite well at the shoulders and the proportioning is superior to many other brands. The shiny domed buttons give it a couture look:</p>
<p>[MILLY</a> Women - Coats & jackets - Coat MILLY on YOOX United States](<a href=“http://www.yoox.com/item.asp?cod10=41225072&tp=11227&tskay=3FD17CD7]MILLY”>http://www.yoox.com/item.asp?cod10=41225072&tp=11227&tskay=3FD17CD7)</p>
<p>I was thinking that if I brought 2 coats, one would be a warmer wool and the other a weight to wear when it’s in the 50s. But a removable liner might work better. I’d still need something to wear when hiking or wanting to look more casual, though.</p>
<p>I found this at Macys, has a removable fleece liner, although I’d have to see it to know it’s warm enough:</p>
<p>[London</a> Fog Jacket, Double Breasted Belted Trench Coat - Coats - Women’s - Macy’s](<a href=“http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/london-fog-jacket-double-breasted-belted-trench-coat?ID=575227&CategoryID=269&LinkType=#fn=BRAND%3DLondon]London”>http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/london-fog-jacket-double-breasted-belted-trench-coat?ID=575227&CategoryID=269&LinkType=#fn=BRAND%3DLondon) </p>
<p>I don’t need anything really dressy – no professional appointments or fancy dinners planned.</p>
<p>Back to the leather pants for a minute, do any of you remember the amazing leather pants offering that was on Ebay a few years ago? I googled it and found a blogger who published the complete listing. It was a classic.</p>
<p>[Banterist</a> - eBay: DKNY Men’s Leather Pants I Unfortunately Own](<a href=“http://www.banterist.com/archivefiles/000286.html]Banterist”>eBay: DKNY Men’s Leather Pants I Unfortunately Own – Banterist – Brian Sack)</p>
<p>Leather pants? I have a friend in her sixties who wears them. She is tall, lean and pulls it off. When you see her you don’t think “Wow! Look at the leather pants!” You just think she looks really chic. After all, leather pants don’t show a lot of skin so there’s no reason women of a certain age can’t pull them off. Now, mind you, my friends are not skin tight . . . </p>
<p>So, the venerable Sundance Catalog just arrived, which I have never ordered from in all the years of receiving it. I always glance through, wondering here and there what on Earth Robert Redford was thinking. This year, though, either the catalog has changed or I have. I like several items. A lot. </p>
<p>Especially this leather jacket –
[WEATHERED</a> LEATHER PEACOAT - Coats - Outerwear - Women | Robert Redford’s Sundance Catalog](<a href=“WEATHERED LEATHER PEACOAT | Sundance Catalog”>WEATHERED LEATHER PEACOAT | Sundance Catalog)</p>
<p>Er, um, I’m sure this is wholly unhelpful but I find this coat SO beautiful. All >$2000 of it:). [Erdem|Kaija</a> printed trench coat|NET-A-PORTER.COM](<a href=“http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/168428?resType=single&keywords=erdem%20coat]Erdem|Kaija”>http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/168428?resType=single&keywords=erdem%20coat) .</p>
<p>Honored to be asked. Will try harder next time. Coats, I confess, as a Northern Californian, aren’t my sweet spot. When it rains I wear my Nordie’s black trench that cost about $120.</p>
<p>And wait, leather? I’m considering a button front leather shirt. Yessir I am. <a href=“http://pinterest.com/pin/405560562/[/url]”>http://pinterest.com/pin/405560562/</a></p>