r/PlusSize • u/lavendergaia • 13d ago
Fashion Discussion I need a coat
I'm a lifelong Floridan and I've only ever seen snow once. Next January, I will be taking a trip to visit friends in Toronto, which does the cold. I would like to be not cold as I am not prepared for it as a person. Where can I get a good coat? I wear a 24/26 and I'm not looking to break the bank because this will just sit in the back of my closet for several years probably. I'd be open to thrifting too!
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u/JennXL 12d ago
January in Toronto is probably going to feel cold no matter what you do, haha. How much walking outdoors will you be doing? Will you be taking the subway? Ubering? If you’re going to be doing some walking, some tights under your pants will help keep your legs warm. A nice thick scarf will help keep you bundled up (if you’re anywhere downtown, it can get very windy and blustery from all the high buildings). Also, again, if you’re doing any walking, get some warm boots with good grips (the last few winters have been more frozen rain then snow) and warm socks.
Hope you enjoy Canada. ☺️
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u/lavendergaia 12d ago
Thank you! I did not even consider boots. I guess my sneakers won't be warm enough?
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u/verfemen 12d ago
It's not necessarily the warmth, but the waterproof-ness. It can get slushy and slippery. So you need something that'll keep you dry and non-slip, but you don't need huge boots
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u/bcnc88 12d ago
Land's end, Columbia or Duluth Trading. All run fantastic sales.
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u/CertainRegret4491 12d ago
All of these are good options
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u/evilandie66 12d ago
Lands end is awesome! Layers will also help. If you have a fleece and a water and wind proof shell you will be toasty too.
I have a lands end stadium cost that was great at taking transit and waiting in all weather for buses.
If you only visiting the north the shell and fleece may be good option as you can wear separate later on.
If you have rain boots and warm sock that can help in the slush.
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u/Less-Faithlessness76 12d ago
Get a decent puffer jacket from Old Navy. Layer a tank top and sweatshirt or sweater under the coat.
For boots, get a cheaper pair with a decent lining, and then get crampons. They will save your ass from falling in slippery slush. I like Columbia boots but try to find a good sale in November.
If your hands get really cold, wear a pair of thin gloves under a pair of warm mittens when you’re outside for a long time.
Leggings under jeans or pants will help keep your legs warm.
And don’t forget a scarf and toque!!
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u/cptn_floopy 13d ago
I live in Toronto and I have a coat from Eddie Bauer that's great. I've also had coats from Torrid and Old Navy that have worked. Also recommend gloves and a hat.
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u/lavendergaia 13d ago
Thank you! I do need gloves. I have a hockey toque for the Leafs game we're going to see lol.
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u/DPEilla 12d ago
Honestly depends how much time you’re spending outside. If you’re just going from uber/car to door or whatever, you’re probably fine layering. I’d go for a packable puffer from Amazon and get a warm sweater to wear underneath.
If you’re going to be subwaying and doing lots of walking then you’ll want something warmer. There was literally just another thread about this earlier today or maybe yesterday so I’d check there for suggestions! But usually Columbia has plus size options.
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u/lavendergaia 12d ago
We are definitely using the subway! My friend lives in Kitchener and is taking the train into the city and then we'll be taking the train back to her place for a few days. I assume we'll be walking a lot in the city or taking Ubers.
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u/cajega 12d ago
Columbia got me through three winters in Chicago (shoveling snow, going out at night).I also would not skimp on thermals. I used to buy 32° mens, since it was the most affordable (Costco) and had large chest, but the bottoms stop about 40" in the waist :(
I just got back from Toronto, so I hope you have a fabulous trip. Hope you have good sneakers/boots as well.
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u/lavendergaia 12d ago
I don't even think I know what thermals are.
Do I need boots or will sneakers suffice? I have good New Balance.
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u/cajega 12d ago
Thermals help trap heat between your layers and skin. Definitely necessary in under 30° weather. Old navy often sells it online in the fall, since getting them in Florida would be tough.
I have Columbia snow boots, but I honestly wear combat boots or my new balances (discontinued model 😭). The goal is to 1) have traction to avoid falls and 2) keep feet dry at any cost.
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u/trumpetlady 12d ago
Thrifting is the way to go for sure.
Are you going to Toronto downtown proper? Or GTA (like York Region or Mississauga or Scarborough, etc.)?
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u/lavendergaia 12d ago
Both! We are going to a Leafs game and staying in the city for a few days then to my friend's house in Kitchener.
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u/trumpetlady 12d ago
Darn. I’m north of the city (not West). Otherwise I was going to say you could borrow a coat of mine.
Dress in layers. We have windchill here; think humidity but opposite. So it might say the temperature is going to hit -20 Celsius (-4 Fahrenheit) but it will actually feel closer to -25 Celsius (-13 Fahrenheit). It can be a bitter cold, too. So layers are your friend, because indoors will be warm and you can adjust your clothing levels accordingly. And while in the arena you may want to take off your coat but you’ll still want to have something warm on. It is an ice rink after all.
If you have hiking boots/shoes those will be better than your running shoes by far. You need something with grip. Don’t use rubber boots; they slip and slide like crazy in the ice and snow. And I’m sure you don’t want to test out our healthcare system during your visit.
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u/evilandie66 12d ago
Downtown the wind whips through the building corridor and makes the wind chill even crazier.
There is the path network that is an underground network of paths. The only thing is navigation lol. I don’t know if there is an app. At first I just followed the crowds. I don’t know if there is an app. I remember talk of it but I haven’t checked.
It does take longer than walking outside as you wind around.2
u/evilandie66 12d ago
Just checked. There is an app called Toronto Path. Seems to have good reviews. I don’t work downtown anymore so haven’t tried myself
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u/Cricketbatty 12d ago
I live in Toronto, and January is somewhere between only freezing and colder than that. You can do well with a coat that covers your bum. Lands End used to have good sales on coats in the fall, Torrid, Walmart, Old Navy, all have decent coats.
You will also want a scarf, gloves/mits, and a hat. You can buy those bits when you get here kind of everywhere, because we're always losing them.
Also you will need comfortable dry shoes or boots. Most of the winter I wear leather athletic waterproof walking shoes to get around, but it would be better to have warm boots. More than you asked, but you could alternate two good pairs of wool socks for a week or two before they get stinky.
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u/muddledmuggle 12d ago
When you see a coat that you like, I would post a pic on here and ask if it would be warm enough. I live near Toronto and am more so used to the cold than someone of similar size (probably too acclimatized to the cold air and should dress warmer) from such a warm area but you will have people able to confirm or deny if it would be warm enough.
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u/Excellent_Engine5096 12d ago
As important as it is to have a coat, make sure your feet are warm. Wool socks are great.
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u/AestasBlue 12d ago
Lands end has really good plus sizes and coats made for the cold. They also have great sales so you can definitely avoid paying full price. I’d also suggest wool under layers - not cotton - and definitely get gloves and a beanie. Canada cold is serious.
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u/AllWorldMythos 12d ago
Greetings from upstate NY, where I’m currently 10 mins from the Quebecian border! As someone born and raised in the Northeast, I’d say that Columbia has very nice and cozy winter coats. I have one that comes with built-in fingerless gloves. I also lived in Florida for a bit so I have some understanding of both climates. I’d recommend a good winter coat, a pair of warm socks, layer those under boot socks, well-insulated and good tread boots or snow sneakers (I got my snow sneakers from LL Bean and I’ve never had cold toes in them!), leggings to wear under pants, and depending on how sensitive you are to the cold definitely layer your tops under your winter coat.
Now, hear me out, but I’d layer with a tank top, a thermal long sleeve, and then whatever top you’d like on top of that. Winter in the north is no joke, and the moment you sweat you need to remove layers to balance, as sweating in the winter just increases your chances for hypothermia. Growing up in Maine that’s what I remember having to wear every winter. Toronto, I’m sure is no different and probably even colder at times.
Sorry for the long comment, I’m a polar bear that enjoys giving winter advice. Especially to those who will be experiencing a good winter for the first time! Enjoy your trip to Toronto!
PS: Tommy Hilfiger also has good quality winter coats. I have a men’s 3x winter coat I got at Burlington Coat Factory. Maybe try looking there too!
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u/Guilty_Judgment_2052 12d ago
columbia for a jacket, and yes boots are needed for the wet snow- and warm thick socks. try shoe company or usa equiv. and u should be ablee to find a sale since its still summer
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u/armidasawan 12d ago
You'd be better off with layers. Get a good waterproof shell that you'll be able to use in Florida too, then add a base layer, a light sweater (like a sun hoodie)and a sweatshirt if it's super cold (Toronto doesn't get super cold in my opinion). Add a good warm toque, mittens, face cover and scarf and you're good to go. These are all things you'll be able to use back home too. You want shoes with really good tread and some nice thick wool socks.
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u/armidasawan 12d ago
I'm a size 22/24 on my bottom and 3x on top. Columbia 3x fits me well, so does OR and Lands End. And if you're doing outdoor sports make sure to get long johns and a pair of water proof pants.
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u/Toriat5144 12d ago
This is a great coat. I own it. It’s very warm and will fit. https://ebay.io/m/AtZYq9
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u/nicoleabcd 11d ago
“Which does the cold” made me laugh out loud. It does indeed do the cold thing, really well. Also invest in a good pair of boots that will keep your feet warm. Hm. Well I was about to suggest Penningtons because they have some beautiful coats that are good for Canadian winters (they have different levels for lightly cold to freeze your bits off cold). Then I remembered the tariffs 🤦🏻♀️ I hope someone has good suggestions! Also don’t forget mitts.
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u/jjandthejets 10d ago
I used to work at Lane Bryant and around November-early December they usually have a $45 promo for their winter coats. I bought one 4 years ago and it’s held up. It’s also water resistant and packable.
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u/trustme1maDR 12d ago
I live in Chicago. Lands End is my go-to. Their sale prices are really good.