How many do you really need?

I've only two coats: both Macs. One I've had for thirty years (wore yesterday) and the other a more rubberised affair which is really good for heavy rain and ruritania. Don't seem to have the need for a heavy coat. I simply layer up underneath on these two.

Living in Portugal even in winter it doesn't get Very cold so I have a gilet and a padded jacket ( pink ) which mostly sits in the cupboard.
Will get it out for carol singing, haven't got a best coat. ?

shysal - BUY IT - I have too many coats which I am in process of sorting - trouble is I go up and down in weight so have sizes 12, 14, 16 - (keeping to one size is my next challenge)
If I saw that I am sure I would buy it!

I can't wear anything that goes below my bottom when I am out and about on my bike because it gets caught on the saddle at the back - I have broken so many zips of anoraks like that.

But if we are going for a walk around the houses at this time of year, I still wear a huge coat that I made of velvet curtain material just before I got pregnant with DS1. It envelops me as it did when I was heavily pregnant (all my babies were born in winter) and creates a lovely warm layer of air around my legs, and I can wear loads of warm clothes underneath.

I haven't counted the rest, as I have (what seems like) a whole wardrobe full of anoraks, parkas, etc., with the above-mentioned broken zips, which are unwearable.

My heaviest winter coat is now into it's 9th year, I only wear it when it's really cold such as today. It's a good quality all wool, calf length navy blue military style double breasted with silver buttons. It hasn't dated I just get it cleaned every year for winter, I haven't seen one I like better, it was a very good buy. Other than that I have a knee length black and white herringbone coat, a knee length black one, a crombie style purple one below the knee, wool, but all fairly lightweight. A Berghaus black jacket which I don't have to be precious about because it never creases so just throw it in the car when we go away in the UK, it's perfect for most weathers. I also have a red raincoat with hood that I picked up whilst sheltering with a friend in SeaSalt from the pouring rain back in the summer, they had a sale on which was fortuitous, an impluse buy it was marked down by £60 pounds, it has proved to be a good purchase, particularly when we went away to Northumberland later in the year walking round a rainy Lindisfarne with the hood up I felt quite monk like. Other than that I have a few jackets and some lightweight longer cardigan affairs purchased in East during their sale. That's it I think, most of the year here in the south I don't need a coat, or even a jacket, it's not that cold.

Hmm.. feeling a tad guilty here. Have to confess a major weakness for coats and jackets. Have lots. About 20 I think.

Years ago when I had a well paid job,I bought an expensive, black, faux fur coat.It has big cuffs and a hood.It was the best thing that I have ever bought.One of the dogs savaged the hood but with it being such thick fur,it was easy to mend.I have never been cold in it.It says dry clean only but on the advice of a friend I machine washed it and it is like new.I feel very lucky,it has just been snowing here.

I have a padded jacket for everyday use, a coat which I got recently from M&S and a light rainproof jacket. I don’t think I could manage to wear anymore.
Got summer jackets.

I bet it's nice and warm, shysal so if you can afford it why not? I've got one good smart navy blue winter coat, a khaki parka and two summer weight biker jackets (pink and beige of course).
For smarter wear I treated myself to a teal jacket with a waterfall collar which I rarely wear as it's a felt type fabric which makes me itch a bit. it seemed like a good idea at the time.
I've also hung on to two of my late husband's coat - one which he called his 'Jose Mourinho' and a pale grey jacket which is lovely and soft which I can't bear to part with.

Shoes are my weakness.

definitely treat yourself!

Shysal, buy that coat. It's adorable and you will look fab in it I'm sure. Also, you must keep yourself warm in this freezing weather, and what a delightful way to do it.
By the way, I have countless coats and jackets and wear all of them. One for every occasion - why not!

When did need ever come into it?

Go for the coat it looks such fun, enjoy it

I have 3 or 4 jacket style coats and one heavy long coat. It's actually a man's coat I got in charity shop!
I still have the coat I got to wear to my dad's funeral 20 years ago. It's unwearable but I can't bear to part with it.
You should definitely buy your coat shyal, it looks lovely.
NFK what's tramping??

2 full length winter coats, leather jacket, suede jacket, about 12 wool jackets 2 or 3 summer jackets, 3 padded gilets, 2 full-length winter macs, light weight summer anorak, padded riding jacket, mid weight anorak, padded waterproof jacket, various fleece jackets. A fleece lined anorak and light weight Mac kept in England.

Should I weed some out? However I am a coutouriere and make the majority of them. Some date bake to the eighties. I lovemaking clothes and like my books I find it difficult to chuck the out.

Off to make another coat because I want to.

I have quite a few. But if I get a new one I will take one to a charity shop.

I have quite a lot and always on the look to buy, they all get used.

I have a full lenght brown duffle coat and a gorgeous purple short duffle, the only snag is with them they arent terribly warm for our winters in Scandinavia so they are spring or autumn coats. I have as everyone else seems to have, loads of jackets warm ones perfect for our weather at the moment, a thicker one for when the weather really sets in, I hate bulk espeially when I am driving, I think jackets are more practical,the odd coat I wear if I am going out anywhere special, and want to look nice!

Shysal--just go for it, you need to treat yourself, and keep warm!

I thought 5 sounded quite a lot til I added up how many I've got! My favourite is a red & cream check full length woollen coat which was a Marks second & cost £17 about 10 years ago . I've worn it to death & it always gets commented on whenever I wear it. DH has just treated me to a really gorgeous pale blue tweed coat with purple trimmings & buttons which cost many, many times the old one but it'll never be as warm even though it looks super smart. I also have a long Mac, a short fake fur (DGS loves snuggling into it) a zip up fleece and an elderly full.length sheepskin.

merlot you sound like me, I can't drive in a long coat, so onto the back seat & a dash for the driver's door

I have one very good long navy coat, 2 black jackets, 1 pink jacket, 1 blue jacket & 2 waterproofs, 1 full length, 1 shorter.

I also have an assortment of fleeces.

I'm looking for a good blazer but will wait for the sales

I dont possess a long coat but have many short coats and jackets and would be embarrassed to count how many. Admittedly they are in a range of sizes because my weight goes up and down. After living in Portugal for 9 years I do feel cold in the winter and today was a max of 12C and felt very chilly after the mid 20s a week or so ago. Luckily we will be staying the the warm tonight.

I too am a coataholic. When we were first married (Late 1970s) we didn't have much money so decided we would both buy a decent looking coat as it covered up whatever we were wearing underneath and we looked smart. Unfortunately the train of thought has stuck... I now have an entire double wardrobe of coats and jackets. Buy that Joe Brown coat, it looks lovely. x

A full length black duvet coat from Per Una, reduced from £99 to £8.99 in the sale.
A waxed parka with fur hood from M &S reduced from £85 to £29 in the sale.
A trench coat for Spring/Autumn.
A very smart 3/4 coat in aubergine from Jacques Vert.
A hooded rain jacket that isn't terribly waterproof might need to replace that one
A smart Italian wool jacket in burnt orange from Per Una, reduced to £9 from £59 in the sale.
Smart fitted black wool jacket for work by Betty Barclay bought in a charity shop for a fiver.
Just sent my Fiorelli leather jacket to the charity shop because I've not worn it for years and someone else could make use of it.
A navy hoodie that's so old I have no idea when or where I bought it. think that needs replacing too.

That's not too bad is it?