Review: ASOS Double-Breasted Belted Coat (in reg & petite)

ASOS Double-Breasted Belted Coat - buy in petite or regular (3 colors)

Heels: Ann Taylor Perfect Patent Pump sz 5   Jeans: J Brand Legging Jeans sz 24 (similar)

A while back, I ordered this coat from ASOS to try on. For those unfamiliar with this brand, ASOS is a British online retailer that offers trendy clothing in regular, petite, and plus sizes. Shipping and return shipping are convenient and free, but make sure to keep all the tags and packaging, and try on garments cautiously. They've been known to reject returns due to makeup or fragrance stains. 

Style: I was attracted to the classic trench style of this coat. I love the curved pipe seaming down the front and back, the sharply-constructed collar, the waist tie belt (which is flattering on women of all sizes, as it helps create or define your waistline), and of course, the well-placed pockets. I also adore the flattering back view with a 9" vent and "rain guard" flap with button-tab detail.  

Colors: Petite sizing comes in basic black or "mink" (however this same color is labeled "dusty pink" on a different page), and regular sizing offers both colors plus a gorgeous red (update: per a commenter, the red was not as rich in person, and may bleed onto other garments). I ordered "mink." In person, it's a dusty, ivory-pink...more pink than in the stock photo, which looks like cream.

Warmth factor: This is a lightweight coat that I wouldn't wear in conditions below 40 degrees (F), unless there's a thick sweater underneath. The warmth level is comparable to J.Crew double cloth coats without Thinsulate. On my (possibly inaccurate) scale, this coat weighs about 3 pounds...



Fit / Sizing: ASOS sizing, to me, runs smaller than American brands and fits similar to juniors sizing. A size US Petite 1 coat on me (5 feet, ~93lbs, 32-24-32) fits like a US 2 / EUR 32 from H&M, and feels smaller than a 00 Petite in American brands like Ann Taylor and BR. In the photo above, I'm wearing just a thin tee, and there is room left for one chunky sweater. I would not recommend the US Petite 1 for anyone with a chest size over 34B. Sleeves are the perfect length on me (not too short unlike my J.Crew petite coats), and I imagine they should be made proportionately longer as sizing goes up.

Personal peeves: If I kept this coat, I would have to get the belt loops moved up 1-2 inches. Petite sizing is typically designed for women below 5'4" - I'm on the short end of that spectrum, so even garments in petite sizing may need some adjustments. I also don't love how the shoulder epaulets are loopy, like bunny ears, versus flat and crisp like on my Burberry trench. I'm sure they could be ironed down, though.

Measurements: When fully buttoned, a US Petite 1 measures 14.5" across the shoulders, 16" from armpit to armpit, 14.5"across the waist, 19" across the bottom opening, 22.5" long sleeves (measured from the top of the shoulders), and 32" total length (measured from the back center, starting below the collar), and the belt is 62" long. Compare these measurements to the 2010 J.Crew Lady Day coat measurements, keeping in mind that the Lady Day's material is thicker.

Fit when un-belted:

Quality: ASOS garments tend to lean more towards fast-fashion than classic, quality pieces. That being said, my two unlined, polyester pencil dresses from March have lasted through many wears without notable issues. The outer of this coat feels like a felted wool, and is comprised of 55% wool, 33% polyester, and 12% viscose. The lining is a tacky satiny material, made of 100% polyester. The buttons are a basic, plastic black, and there are extras sewn on inside. At $136, this is a fairly-priced coat, but it'd be a better value during one of ASOS' many sales (sign up for emails to get coupon code alerts).

This coat immediately reminded me of the $50 H&M camel double-breasted coat from this post. In comparison, this coat fits a little slimmer on me, has petite-friendly sleeves (coat sleeves cost $25-$35 to shorten), and a material that feels slightly better and less crinkle-prone (crinkles are a sure sign of a cheap wool-blend). On the downside, this coat is over 2x the price of the H&M, does not come in a classic camel color, and doesn't have a belt buckle or cute sleeve buckle details.

Verdict: I returned this because I have plenty of coats, and I was not in love with this one. If you are looking for a fairly affordable, classic-cut coat for mild winters, then this one may be worth checking out.

Other ASOS coats available in petite sizing (click to shop): 

Pleated Coat w/ Fold-over Collar (2 colors), Fit and Flare Coat (2 colors), Sugarland A-line Coat

Readers - Did anyone else pick up this coat? Please share your thoughts!