This summer I tried on a coat in a stunning shade of red. I was really looking forward to receiving it in the mail, but when it finally arrived I was very disappointed.
The Reiss coat was part of Nordstrom’s anniversary sale, so I was over the moon to get such a big-ticket item at a discount. But in person, it was a failure (well, maybe in the pictures too). It has no lining, it’s super itchy, it’s cheaply made, and it’s not even worth the sale price (I mean… there’s a reason it’s still in stock).
Reese Wool Blend Coat (US 8 / UK 12)
Needless to say, I’m back to normal. But ever since then, I haven’t been able to get the red jacket out of my mind. It quickly became a top item on my fall/winter wishlist.
I decided to ditch the idea of a formal long coat like Reese’s coat (but if you’re still looking for that style, try this one from J.Crew or this beautiful and affordable option from Old Navy ). If I’m buying a new coat, I want it to be worn a lot. What I usually look for is something a little larger (or at least layerable), soft and comfortable. I love coats that are cut short to make the legs look longer, or coats that just cover the butt.
A cozy red jacket perfect for fall and winter
To be honest, all four jackets I tried were really good in their own way. If you want a quick overview of what I tried, here’s how:
Try on four cozy red jackets from Free People & Gap
I love red, and it feels like a special color during the winter holidays. No matter the style of the coat or the outfit, it’s a festive option – and I want such an easy dressing solution.
Free People Mountain High 1/2 Zip Fleece
Jacket (M)
As may come as no surprise from my description above, Free People’s Mountain High ⁄ Zip fleece was my favorite. I don’t mind layering like a sweatshirt that can also be used as a coat. You’ll always get bonus points if you can stay active while wearing this.
I actually wanted this fleece jacket last year, but when it first went on sale there were only three colors and they sold out quickly. I decided to try the Amazon version, but the quality was pretty bad. So imagine my delight when Free People returned with even more colors and new items this season.
Jacket (M) | Jeans (28) | Shoes
The actual fleece is amazing and unlike any other fleece. Super silky soft to the touch, it’s carefully crafted and has an ideal slouchy boxy fit. The bottom drawcord is extremely strong and high quality for lasting wear, while the high collar, pockets and nylon cuffs keep cold air out.
Jacket (M) | Jeans (28) | Shoes
The best part is that it’s easy to layer (yes, layerable is a term in my book). I wore a zip hoodie underneath this and everything still fit beautifully (and somehow didn’t add bulk). If you’re traveling to a very cold and snowy place, you can throw a thick coat over it, but in areas with mild winters it’s perfect on its own.
Free People Quilted Juno Jacket
Jacket (M) | Other sizes available in red | More color options | Jeans (28) | Sweater (L) | Shoes
Coming in a close second is Free People’s Juno Jacket. This is gorgeous and very cool. It feels like a girly upgrade to the famous quilted dolman jacket. It’s a jacket I’ve owned and loved for over 5 years (and let me tell you, it’s been surprisingly long-lasting).
In terms of size, it’s large. I have read reviews about people who swam in this. This is a pretty successful indicator of whether or not I’ll like the product, but I was a little surprised when I tried it on. If you are petite, you may want to skip this one. Otherwise, we recommend going down two sizes to get the same look as the model.
Jacket (M) | Other sizes available in red | More color options | Jeans (28) | Sweater (L) | Shoes
For most brands, I prefer a larger size for coats and sweatshirts, but there’s plenty in size medium, and I really liked it. Smocked sleeves are such a unique addition to a jacket, and when combined with the quilted look, it feels very girly and pretty in a cool and unexpected way.
Jacket (M) | Other sizes available in red | More color options | Jeans (28) | Shoes
The Juno jacket is thick, sure to keep you warm, and super soft – just like the popular quilt.
Gap Cropped Duvet Wrap Puffer Jacket
Jacket (L) | Jeans (28) | Sweater (L)
I honestly loved Gap’s Duvet Wrap Puffer Jacket. I’ve been wanting to try a duvet coat, but haven’t had the need for the past few years. The melty, marshmallow-like comfort of the pufferfish did not disappoint, but the size and fit did not.
As a puffer fish, it was a little too cropped for my frame. The sleeves were also awkwardly short, making me feel like I needed to cover up more than I would have on someone wearing such a luxurious jacket.
Jacket (L) | Jeans (28) | Sweater (L) | Shoes
I think the answer is simple, you need tall size. As a large person, just under 5’10”, normal sizing just didn’t work for me. The Gap’s tall size adds enough length to both the arms and body that we hope will make this suitably comfortable.
Jacket (L) | Jeans (28) | Sweater (L) | Shoes
There are also additional features. A high collar, sturdy snap buttons and a voluminous hood keep the coat hugging your body.
Free People Pippa Packable Puffer
Jacket (M) | Jeans (28) | Sweater (L) | Shoes
The real reason Free People’s Pippa Packable Puffer came in 4th place in this tryout is that other products were more exciting.
In fact, if you’ve followed my jacket recommendations over the years, you know that I love Free People’s packable puffer collection. It’s super travel-friendly (you can even use it as a pillow on long plane or car trips), it’s incredibly warm despite its light weight, and it’s super easy to layer.
Jacket (M) | Jeans (28) | Sweater (L)
In my opinion, this is one of the must-have layers you should have in your winter wardrobe. They’re perfect for outdoor winter activities and running errands, and they were also my go-to layer for winter nights at Disneyland when we lived in Southern California. I have the large size in another color of this, but the medium is perfect (and probably my preference these days).
Xx
amy
Become a friend on Instagram or come hang out with us on TikTok. Sharing her life with her husband and kids, her daily style and beauty favorites, and her never-ending Taylor Swift dance-thon…all with plenty of mom nonsense you can relate to, too.
