Does your wife think the US is too cold ?

[Tahoma 2,291]

Yes, I'm thinking of bundling up in layers, aside from the coat. I'm also planning to get another coat that is wind proof and also one that will be able to handle snow (water-proof).

Just another question/concern: aren't we supposed to just dry-clean clothing with high wool content? I don't know about the shrinking part, but if they do shrink, then I have to reconsider about getting one that has higher wool content. Does it only shrink when you wash it or they really shrink even if you dry-clean them?

I've found that pure wool usually needs to be dry-cleaned so that it won't shrink or deform. Partial-wool fabric can sometimes go through the washer and the dryer without shrinking or deforming. You can test out your fabric by taking a leftover piece and running it through the washer and the dryer to see what happens to it.

[marriedtomrg 140]

Zara has a store at Glorietta in Makati.

Top Shop has a store at Greenbelt 3 and at Robinson's in Ermita.

If you go to either store, be prepared to spend Php 5,000 or over for a 3-in-1 or 4-in-1.

You'd be surprised at the selection at that ukay-ukay store at Makati Cinema Square...some of the jackets were bought originally in Japan (where they also experience winter weather), so I'm sure you will find something in your size. There is also a bigger ukay-ukay store in the lower level of Makati Cinema Square. From Jollibee, take the stairs down to the next level then go to the left. They have like 3 or 4 racks of jackets.

Yes, I'm actually on the lookout for those 3-in-1 or 4-in-1 jackets. Those jackets come in layers.

I'm also thinking of going around all the ukay-ukay stores, especially near my area (Dimasalang), and I've already looked at a few, but they just don't have what I'm looking for. I'm still hoping to get lucky one of these days, and before I have to leave. I'm also a small girl, so it's so much tougher to find something that will fit me, so I'm used to having clothes that are especially made for me.

Where is Top Shop and Zara? Are they in Vegas or in Manila? I might try that store at Makati Cinema Square, if I can't find something here in the Manila area (Quiapo, Avenida, Divisoria, Blumentritt, etc.).

-Kezia

Edited November 27, 2010 by marriedtomrg

[David & Kezia 25]

Zara has a store at Glorietta in Makati.

Top Shop has a store at Greenbelt 3 and at Robinson's in Ermita.

If you go to either store, be prepared to spend Php 5,000 or over for a 3-in-1 or 4-in-1.

You'd be surprised at the selection at that ukay-ukay store at Makati Cinema Square...some of the jackets were bought originally in Japan (where they also experience winter weather), so I'm sure you will find something in your size. There is also a bigger ukay-ukay store in the lower level of Makati Cinema Square. From Jollibee, take the stairs down to the next level then go to the left. They have like 3 or 4 racks of jackets.

Thanks for this tip! I got two good jackets there yesterday (Makati Cinema Square). I couldn't find a wool one, although there might have been some and I just wasn't sure if it was really part-wool and not polyester, because many didn't have the plastic inserts with the cloth description and many more had other asian languages in them and I can't read chinese, korean nor japanese. In the 4 stores I found there, I only found 2 good jackets, and one of that was a thick blue denim one with something feathery around the neck and bottom as a design but I don't think that it was wool but polyester or cotton.

On my way back LRT Libertad, the jeep stopped 3-4 blocks away so I was forced to walk, and found several more ukay-ukay stores there. The selections were more expensive and limited than that at the MCS, but I found a really good black leather jacket that I loved. I also found one long nylon coat that reaches up to my knees which is ugly (just one straight coat without form and it's brown) and bigger than what I should have, but I thought that it had some good insulation and the linings were waterproof --we even tested it and it just wouldn't absorb the water even after several minutes-- so I thought that I'd also just get it since it was 300 pesos and I wasn't too concerned with fashion. All I want is comfort, and if I need some lining over my jacket if it rains or snows wherever I'm going (or if it's too humid in the plane), I could just put it on, especially because it could also cover more than half of my thighs. David didn't like it though, and says that I shouldn't wear it. I'm still undecided if I would disregard his advice and keep the coat anyway just in case I'll be too cold.

I would welcome comments on this, as I'm also undecided if I would wear the leather jacket or the maong. Both look good on me but they can't be put on top of another if I already have a hoodie and a turtleneck underwear under that (both white), because the leather and the denim jackets are both good fits so they can't both be used.

On the last store, right before I got to Libertad, I also found an ugly checkered red & black & white coat, this time with a hood and an 80% wool lining on top and I think it was nylon beneath. David doesn't like it though and it's a little bigger than me. If I can have it dry-cleaned before I go, I want to wear it because it just might be more warm for me. What do you guys think: Ugly 80% wool coat with the hood, or sexy black leather jacket, or thick blue denim jacket with red feathery accents? I don't have any experience with all of those, so I'll have to rely on your experiences.

Thanks!

:-)

Kezia

[marriedtomrg 140]

I would hold off buying the wool coat until you arrive in the US, where you will find a much better selection. (Have David take you to an outlet store!)

I'd buy the jacket you like AND looks good on you. That's a better investment. Also, you may want to consider getting some thermal underthings...which I believe you should be able to buy at Marks and Spencers (they have a bigger store at Greenbelt 3) or Columbia (they have a store at Mall of Asia). That should keep the layering down to a minimum, and at the same time you're feeling warmer!

BTW, I personally like coats with fur or feathery stuff If you like it, get it!

Thanks for this tip! I got two good jackets there yesterday (Makati Cinema Square). I couldn't find a wool one, although there might have been some and I just wasn't sure if it was really part-wool and not polyester, because many didn't have the plastic inserts with the cloth description and many more had other asian languages in them and I can't read chinese, korean nor japanese. In the 4 stores I found there, I only found 2 good jackets, and one of that was a thick blue denim one with something feathery around the neck and bottom as a design but I don't think that it was wool but polyester or cotton.

On my way back LRT Libertad, the jeep stopped 3-4 blocks away so I was forced to walk, and found several more ukay-ukay stores there. The selections were more expensive and limited than that at the MCS, but I found a really good black leather jacket that I loved. I also found one long nylon coat that reaches up to my knees which is ugly (just one straight coat without form and it's brown) and bigger than what I should have, but I thought that it had some good insulation and the linings were waterproof --we even tested it and it just wouldn't absorb the water even after several minutes-- so I thought that I'd also just get it since it was 300 pesos and I wasn't too concerned with fashion. All I want is comfort, and if I need some lining over my jacket if it rains or snows wherever I'm going (or if it's too humid in the plane), I could just put it on, especially because it could also cover more than half of my thighs. David didn't like it though, and says that I shouldn't wear it. I'm still undecided if I would disregard his advice and keep the coat anyway just in case I'll be too cold.

I would welcome comments on this, as I'm also undecided if I would wear the leather jacket or the maong. Both look good on me but they can't be put on top of another if I already have a hoodie and a turtleneck underwear under that (both white), because the leather and the denim jackets are both good fits so they can't both be used.

On the last store, right before I got to Libertad, I also found an ugly checkered red & black & white coat, this time with a hood and an 80% wool lining on top and I think it was nylon beneath. David doesn't like it though and it's a little bigger than me. If I can have it dry-cleaned before I go, I want to wear it because it just might be more warm for me. What do you guys think: Ugly 80% wool coat with the hood, or sexy black leather jacket, or thick blue denim jacket with red feathery accents? I don't have any experience with all of those, so I'll have to rely on your experiences.

Thanks!

:-)

Kezia

Edited December 9, 2010 by marriedtomrg

[dluke77 9]

Gina got here 16 November and it was cold albiet in the 60's/70's to her.

The last few days she has been braving it and going out in the morning when I am heading off to work, now its been mid/high 20's this last week, I couldn't figure out why she is standing there breathing out alot until it hit me -- she has never seen her breath before!!! Driving to the mid-west for x-mas holidays so she should get to see a fair amount of snow along the way.

Last night I felt bad though took her out to the fishing pier in 25 degree weather with 15-20 mpg winds striper fishing. She was a brave soul and lasted two and half hours--she didn't say too much about it but I know she was feeling the cold judging by the cold feet against my legs all night.

[rlogan 2,036]

... I wasn't too concerned with fashion. All I want is comfort...

Full bonus points awarded.

I don't know what to say with David's opinion doing some interference in our only operative principle - warmth.

The low is -39F today here. Fashion will get your toes removed by a surgeon.

dluke77 - her core got pretty cold if her feet were cold that long. She definitely needs better gear.

[timcass_12 5]

yes! we currently live in Phoenix were you get 100F++ degrees in the summer and yes, she would still be under the covers all bundled up

[sheenaspapi 18]

I am in Kansas where the winters get pretty cold and 30 mph winds make it viscious. When I tell my girl who is from San Miguel Bobol the temp. here is negative 0 f, she can't even concieve what that feels like. I said to go to the store and ask to go in the walk in freezer for 10 minutes then double that feeling and you are close.

More importantly, she never asked where I was from or what it was like here. She only answered that she will love me wherever that I am at because that is easy. Hell of a woman.