<p>My D is very petite (generally size 0 or 2) and gets quite cold in LA, especially when riding her bike late at night. I offered to get her a jacket but she really wants to be able to try it on & be convinced it’s stylish as well as warm.</p>
<p>Anyone with suggestions as to what to consider? She doesn’t have a car and can’t always get a friend to drive her. She does have hoodies and similar but finds that not quite warm enough especially when out at night. Style is important to her–she favors classics and likes things that are tailored so she’s not swimming in them (that was why she ultimately chose to have the pea coat returned to Costco :(). Thanks for any suggestions. </p>
<p>I suggested the warm up jacket at llbean, but she said she only wanted it if there was free shipping both directions. THere’s only free shipping to her but she’d have to pay for the return, so she declined.</p>
<p>I have a terrific petite size Ann Taylor Loft down jacket. It’s not a THICK down, more like a little Pea coat. It is perfect for cold but not frigid weather. I don’t know what Ann Taylor Loft is carrying this year, but it might be worth a look.</p>
<p>The other option is something like a Northface or EMS or REI fleece with a Goretex outer shell that can be added. They are nice and versatile as each “component” can be used separately OR they can be combined.</p>
<p>I don’t know the fashion in California but here in Massachusetts North Face and Patagonia are THE go-to brands for high school and college age fashionistas.</p>
<p>I should think something like this should be a safe bet (it is an extremely standard item around here, in black), She could layer something under it or put a vest of some type over it:</p>
<p>J Crew makes a light wool jacket that is a cropped trench coat. That would be a possibility. My D, same size as yours, has one in camel, and it’s a favorite. Then there is the perennial bomber jacket – leather – which is always cool, too. D has one of those as well. Newport News has very reasonable ones, but they’re only on line. I’m thinking XMAS present.</p>
<p>If she is cold when riding a bike, what she needs is a windbreaker, not a fleece. A fleece or microfleece can be worn inside for extra warmth. Personally, I recommend Goretex. It serves as a windbreaker, but breathes, so that one doesn’t sweat and get overheated the way one does in nylon shells.</p>
<p>She needs a wind proof polar fleece jacket with a hood- one that is long enough to cover her seat when on a bike-and have her get it in WHITE- so she can been seen easily!- [though the rich red is USC’s color!]
this one comes in Petite sizes </p>
<p>There is a really stylish North Face black, short, belted trench which is available at REI. It is available in XS. My tiny daughter loved it, but she opted for a more practical weather proof REI jacket with a hood…</p>
<p>EMS also has a trench length coat…it fits over their fleece jackets too if you want to have that option. It comes in a light grey which might be nice for someone riding a bike. It’s really nice. My 22 year old (petite) liked it a lot but it was a little too fancy for her needs.</p>
<p>Neither of those would be stylish to my D. See my above post. But tastes do vary. My D lives in NYC and looks as if she just came out of a fashion shoot (except for her teeny size) even though she is living on a shoe string while in law school – one known for public interest!</p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestions–it also needs to be washable, so not too keen on down, tho I know that technically some are washable. Will have to have her take the issue more seriously–guess she will when she gets cold enough. She is limping along with her existing clothing & I did buy her a thermal top that she can wear when it’s cold enough.</p>
<p>So tough to know what she wants–I guess she’ll know it when she sees it & tries it on.</p>