Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Optimism Test

The winter coat came today. I tried it on, first with only one layer, and it was a pretty good fit. Then with two layers, and it was a little tight. Three layers, too tight.

The question is, am I an optimist or not? Do I keep the coat, confident that 10 pounds off will make it quite comfortable with a couple layers? Or do I send it back and find something else?

I'm stupid at winter. Inside, unless I'm teaching or otherwise moving around, I need three layers, long john top, shirt, sweater. So, if I wear the coat anywhere, I either have to carry a sweater separately or something, or I'll be way too cold or hot when I get there.

I'm wondering if I shouldn't just get a wind-breaker for over my current fleece jacket?

9 comments:

  1. Anonymous1:15 PM

    Why not exchange it for the next size up?

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  2. Because the next size bigger will be way too big, especially if I lose the weight I need to lose.

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  3. I do the windbreaker over fleece a lot. But then I tend to buy coats at consignment stores so I've got a few choices (big pink one is my current favorite and good for our minus whatever today).

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  4. wouldn't you find a different layer composition if you had the jacket? like maybe 2?

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  5. on the other hand -- roomy is always safe for a jacket, and if this feels too small, send it back. too small stuff never gets worn, for some reason....

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  6. A lot depends on indoor heating. My office would usually be a disaster with three layers, and I almost always end up taking off my jacket or cardigan when I'm teaching -- one layer is enough.

    At home, sometimes I need additional layers because we keep the heat lower.

    The real question is whether with two layers you will be warm enough. Otherwise, you have to find something that fits three layers. You CANNOT buy something assuming that you will lose 10 pounds. Even if you do lose the weight, you don't know how it will affect, say your shoulders -- which is where I find jackets & coats get too tight when I've got lots of layers.

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  7. oh, and -- this is a riot. i've finally started buying clothes that fit and accepting that those 10 lbs are not going away quickly. so now, i keep hearing how i look like i've lost weight, even though my inner demon says "that size is embarassingly large."

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  8. I was going to say the same thing as Susan. There is no point keeping something that is even slightly too tight, because you won't feel good in it. And coat fit often depends on things that don't change much even if you do lose weight (boob size, back broadness, shoulders).

    Why not try the next size up? Too big doesn't usually look bad in a coat, and over three layers it might be pretty good.

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  9. Windbreaker over a fleece is what I do in the winter -- I got mine from North Face and the fleece can zip into the windbreaker. Then I also feel good about having several jackets in one.

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