I am the Gear Guy, so of course I have a solution for you. It聮s the Marmot Morning Frost Down Coat ($300; www.marmot.com). It聮s a well-made coat that comes down to you about your knees, is nicely fitted with an internal elastic draw-cord waist so that you don聮t look as if you聮re walking around in a sleeping bag, has a windproof and water-repellent shell (I聮m not sure 聯waterproof” is needed, as running water is not a real problem in below-zero temps), plus excellent-quality 650-fill down insulation. It comes in any color you want as long as it聮s black. But that聮s perfect, isn聮t it? Black goes with anything. And I think a woman would look very caliente in this jacket.
Marmot Morning Frost Down Coat
Morning Frost Down CoatThe North Face also has taken a shot at this problem with its Women聮s Greenland Jacket ($250; www.thenorthface.com). It聮s a bit more outdoorsy-looking than the Marmot coat but is designed with city use in mind. It聮s semi-fitted so you don聮t have that Michelin Man look, yet it has an excellent waterproof-breathable HyVent shell and quality down fill. There聮s also a hood with a fake-fur ruff. The waist belt can be taken off if you prefer.
Lastly, the L.L. Bean Ultrawarm Womens聮 Coat ($169; www.llbean.com), in the 聯long” version, sort of emulates the Marmot model, with a semi-fitted, calf-length, down-filled coat with a fake-fur collar and a water-repellent poplin shell. It聮s a very reasonable price, and depending on the color is, I think, a fairly attractive piece.
Get the Marmot. Send a picture of you walking down Park Avenue in it. You聮re welcome.
Get more advice from the Gear Guy as he picks this season聮s top gifts in You聮ll probably find a few things to put on your own wish list, too.