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Good Raincoats That Come In Petite Sizes

I have a few basic requirements for a rain coat – something that doesn’t scream “I also hike in this”, something that will survive being repeatedly crammed in a bag, and something that fits my petite frame. I also have a few more personal requirements: no wool (I’m allergic) and no extraneous buckles/straps/flaps that I will only manage to catch on everything. This combination of things were surprisingly difficult to find for a while and at one point I ordered ten possible coats online and tried them on one after another at home. Some were too fussy, too heavy, too narrow in the hips and some were terribly tight up under the arms (what’s up with that Michael Kors?). At the time I overlooked the coat I’m about to tell you about because honestly, the photos online make it look more shiny and flimsy than it is in person and they never seem to have it in the stores to check out in person.

The Eddie Bauer Girl on the Go® Trench Coat and Girl On The Go® Insulated Trench Coat filled the raincoat shaped hole in my life. I brought the insulated version with me on a trip to the UK in Oct. and Nov. of last year and I was never cold or wet, the coat could be crammed into my suitcase and emerge looking just fine and I like to think I didn’t stick out too much as a tourist.

The petite size manages to give me some shape and, miraculously, still fits over my not insignificant hips when I’m wearing my bulkiest sweater. I have both the regular and insulted version of the coat. The insulated liner has full sleeves, buttons out when you don’t need it and is surprisingly warm — in fact I was too warm when descending to Tube stations in London. (So, this could be a downside if you live in a city with a subway.) The only difference between the regular and insulated versions is that the waist is cut in a bit tighter in the regular version and it’s more flattering. Which is why I kept both versions. Because vanity. These coats are perfect for the Seattle climate and they both get a lot of use throughout the year so I have no regrets. I have the coat in black but the putty color, shown above, was tempting.

Things that are not so great:

  • it is all synthetic fabrics so it does make scratchy/swishy noises when you move, it doesn’t bother me (crinkle noises are insignificant when rain is pelting the side of your head) but I’ve known a few people for whom this is a peeve so I’ll mention it
  • the hood detaches but it doesn’t tuck into the collar so you just have to keep track of it

Things that are great:

  • interior chest pocket that will hold an iPhone, the pocket sits low enough so that it hits, thankfully, underneath my boob
  • hood cinches down
  • no velcro
  • zips from the bottom as well as the top
  • snaps shut as well for those times when you’re just popping out to grab the mail and don’t want to fuss with zippers
  • can be balled up and shoved in a bag and won’t wrinkle
  • without the insulated liner the coat is surprisingly lightweight so it’s not too much trouble to carry with you shoved in your bag for the day
  • the petite size fits a petite (but not necessarily skinny) frame well with room for a warm sweater

I will also point to the MacKenzie Trench Coat, shown above right. It’s a little less sporty looking with a matte fabric and empire waist and comes in a nice dark gray. Ultimately I valued the longer length of the Girl On The Go coat but nearly fell for the MacKenzie.

Both of these coats are on sale right now so if you’re looking for a raincoat I can recommend giving them a try.

· comments [22] · 09-25-2014 · categories:uncategorized ·

22 responses so far ↓

  • 1 Marika // Sep 25, 2014 at 1:11 pm

    Thanks for this! I am on the hunt for a new raincoat since the old one is really not keeping the rain out anymore and I’m going to be bus commuting this winter. I want something longer but the $300 North Face one at REI wasn’t quite calling my name, this looks like a great option.

  • 2 megan // Sep 25, 2014 at 1:34 pm

    Marika – I’m so glad! I was really taken with the MacKenzie but the extra three inches of length on the Girl On The Go coat meant three more inches of keeping my thighs dry, and it’s a better length for the skirts and dresses that I wear. Also, both zip up from the bottom which makes it easier to sit down. I hope one of these works out for you!

  • 3 Mara // Sep 25, 2014 at 4:00 pm

    Hey thank you for these links. Moved to Seattle this summer from the east coast and i’m realizing that, save for a hoodie and vest combo, nothing I have is really quite winter appropriate for here. I’ve also been trying to find a rain/rain-resistant coat that isn’t too frumpy or sporty or neon etc etc etc. This is useful information!

  • 4 megan // Sep 26, 2014 at 9:10 am

    Mara – REI often has a few options that aren’t too sporty, but they never fit my petite and not-atheletic frame. Nordstrom has a whole lot of options, lots of them online but not in stores, but those were the ones that had buckles/straps/buttons/hangy bits that don’t suit my uncoordinated life.

    That said? I do like the Eddie Bauer coats a lot, and they never seem to appear in their stores either so don’t hesitate to order them just for the sake of trying them on. You can return to the store if it makes it easier.

  • 5 Charissa - The Gifted Blog // Sep 26, 2014 at 9:54 am

    This is so appreciated! We’ve started daily walks to elementary school and with the start of rainy fall in Seattle I’ve been wondering how to replace by 8+ years old jacket. Was the Mackenzie something you could imagine wearing just to keep warm if it wasn’t raining? Looking for a go-to, wear-all-the-time jacket that’s not my cocoon-like down coat. Thanks again for the reviews!

  • 6 Alison // Sep 26, 2014 at 9:56 am

    I’ve been looking for this exact coat, thank you! I normally wear size 6/8 in tops and size 10/12 in bottoms so I’m guessing I should go with large for Girl On The Go… that kind of fabric seems to get weird if it’s too tight.

  • 7 megan // Sep 26, 2014 at 10:00 am

    Alison – I think that would be the correct size, it will leave room for a warm layer underneath and the shoulders likely won’t be too larger for you (as I find with non-petite sizes that fit my bottom half).

  • 8 megan // Sep 26, 2014 at 10:23 am

    Charissa – I honestly cannot remember if the MacKenzie was warm or if it was more like a shell, it was a while ago. I know the unlined GOTG coat with a sweater is plenty warm.

  • 9 Tina Batori // Sep 26, 2014 at 11:57 am

    And they come in plus sizes, too! Perfect for the northwest 3 seasons of the year! Love the eggplant color.

  • 10 Charissa - The Gifted Blog // Sep 26, 2014 at 8:36 pm

    Awesome, thank you! Looking forward to giving these a spin.

  • 11 laila // Sep 27, 2014 at 1:26 pm

    The Eddie Bauer coat is also great in plus sizes. The proportions are lovely and the coat has a smart and feminine shape. I love this coat and it’s been performing well for years.

  • 12 KWu // Sep 29, 2014 at 6:32 pm

    Just had my first really fully drizzly day, where I also had to go outside at some point, here in Portland, so this is extremely timely! I also have been very frustrated by jackets recently that either are way too big in the shoulders or have the world’s tiniest armholes. Going to order all 3 coats that you mentioned and see how it works out!

  • 13 Lindsay // Sep 30, 2014 at 3:34 pm

    Every girl needs a good raincoat :o)

  • 14 Jen // Sep 30, 2014 at 6:25 pm

    A good raincoat is so important! It makes me so happy when I’m dry even though it is pouring out. I definitely concur with choosing a longer one if you can.

  • 15 CakeSpy // Oct 2, 2014 at 8:01 am

    I came to the site today looking for foodie ideas (which I will continue to look for after this) but this post is surprisingly relevant. It’s tough being petite and finding a raincoat that doesn’t make you look like you’re playing dress-up or wearing a tarp. Awesome, Megan!

  • 16 Charissa - The Gifted Blog // Oct 22, 2014 at 1:19 pm

    Update: I bought one! Tried all colors and lengths of the MacKenzie and am keeping the shorter version in gray. Thanks for your review! Feeling the petite-in-Seattle solidarity. : )

  • 17 Tapa // Oct 23, 2014 at 12:01 pm

    This was such a useful post! I ordered the Girl on the Go coat and it was just what I’ve been looking for!

  • 18 nazila // Oct 28, 2014 at 12:41 pm

    I just bought my first london fog trench coat. I wish I had tried the petite and regular on at the same time. While the petite fit better in the sleeves, it hits me sort of weirdly in my torso.

    I’m loving the detachable lining, it is going to be useful in a few weeks.

  • 19 Alison // Oct 31, 2014 at 7:48 am

    Update: Girl on the Go in petite large was waaaaay too large in the shoulders and sleeves. Petite medium is perfect! In case it helps anyone else reading this, I wear 6/8 in tops and 10/12 in bottoms.

  • 20 Stephanie // Nov 7, 2014 at 5:24 pm

    Really happy with the Mackenzie trench in petite. Thank you for this post!

  • 21 megan // Nov 17, 2014 at 7:56 pm

    I’m so glad that this recommendation has been useful because, seriously, I used used up a lot of Free Shipping to sort through various options.

    Thank you all for the further recommendations!

  • 22 Aimee // Apr 4, 2015 at 9:52 am

    I bought this coat for spring in New England and was pretty excited about it, but I found the fit to be TERRIBLE. Very tight under the armpits but loose everywhere else, sleeves too long even though I’m 5’3″ and usually petite arm lengths are either perfect or a tad too short on me. I was sad about it but it had to go back. :(

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