Ever since I started blogging, I’ve been slowly distancing myself from the kids department. The kiddie section is great for bargains, but 90% of the time there is something about the garment that just says “KIDS.” This month, however, I was lured in by Burberry’s selection of (relatively) affordable kids trench coats. Many readers have been asking about the fit of these, so I ordered a few (3, to be exact!) in the name of experimentation.
Material: the trench material (53% cotton, 37% poly) is much more in line with what I am looking for but it was still a little off. The material didn’t seem like it was treated with any water-resistant coating, and it looked like spills or stains could easily seep in and settle. It also seemed wrinkle-prone.
Cut/style: Aside from having no defined waist, the detailing on this trench was what I was looking for. Classic design, nicely-proportioned collar & lapel, gun flap (in the kids coat descriptions, they call this a “fun flap”…lol!), and buckle detailing.
Fit: Shoulder width and sleeve length were perfect. The torso, however, was super boxy when un-belted (see pic below). Measurements showed that there was NO difference between the underarm and waist, so the body was just straight up and down (surefire sign of a kids coat). If I were to keep this, I would need the sleeves slimmed, maybe the waist nipped in, and the length shortened.
Measurements: Slimmer than the womens’ 2P from Nordies. 17″ across at the underarms, 17″ across at the waist, 20″ across the bottom. 36″ total length, 22″ sleeve length, 6″ sleeve width, 14.5″ shoulder width.
Special notes:
1. The belt was a measly 35 inches long (the belt on my raincoat is 56 inches) and it was attached at the back center (see below pic), so you couldn’t move it around. There were also no prongs nor belt holes in the belt.
2. I called the Burberry store to see if alterations on full-priced kids coats were also free. They said yes! I just have to mention though that every time I get alterations at the Burberry store, they try to pressure me against getting everything I want done (I do ask for a lot). My advice is to listen to what they have to say, but stand firm on exactly how you want your coat to fit.
The other styles I ordered (Boys $475 trench and Boys $375 trench) were not worth photographing…but here is one anyways, just for laughs:
I thought that kids coats were “unisex” but boy was I wrong…the boys coats were shapeless to the max and made me feel like friar tuck. Also…surprise! Look at the inside! (I kinda like the gray though…lol)
So overall, what do you guys think? Would you shop Burberry kids for the lower price, or “splurge” all the way for a grown-up’s coat?
Hi Jean, I just came across your blog and am loving it!!! I am a 5'1" 🙂 I am wondering if you have tried on a kid's Burberry cape for size? I am about to die for one but haven't been able to find one that I liked until now-and it's a little girls…..any feedback would be appreciated 🙂
jean, i just got a kids size burberry coat. what do you tell the burberry tailors HOW you want the coat tailored?
nice trenchcoat
i'm small and they are always too long
Hi I really like your site though I am new in here.Living in London always cold so I got a Trench coat exactly the same that you have on in here as a gift from my boyfriend. I am 5 ft. coat comes up to my knee and I am not very slim so that coat is giving me hell of a lot trouble, If I am wearing it, It gives me headache cause I think it doesn't suit me very well but if am not wearing it my boyfriend keeps asking me don't you like that one. TO be honest i like it,love it but just don't know with what and how should I wear it .. please help me out..am Asian.
Hi Jean! I'm not sure if you'll actually get this since this is an older post, but I do hope so! I've been stalking your blog so much since discovering it, and I am borderline obsessed. I'm 4'9", and trying to build up a professional and just overall more mature wardrobe is disgustingly difficult. So needless to say, your blog has been such a tremendous help!!
Anyway, I wanted to comment on this post because the quality coats is one of the few designer things I care for, thus bringing about my frequent stalking of Burberry coats. Today I lucked out so much and came across a girls Sz 12 mini Tidmoore coat. Except for sleeves being maybe 1 inch longer than what I'd prefer, everything else fit so great. I didn't measure, but when I buttoned up, it seemed like there was a slight waist definition as well. Not to mention I got it on sale at the outlet store for a whopping $260 instead of the original $475!
This experience has given me a lot of hope for the girls sizing trench coats. But looking at your Sz 12 photos, I assumed I'd need a Sz 10 since I'm a good 2 to 3 inches shorter than you. The store did not carry any Sz 10 for me to compare; but when I asked the SA, she said all the sizes should run pretty similar. So now I'm just confused as to what I should do when the Alice-Burberry fund is sufficient (won't be for a while, but, eh, there is no such thing as too much research for this endeavor, haha). Do you have any advice? I have followed sizing charts with other retailers like Ralph Lauren, but ordering a Sz 12 after much OCD measuring ended in switching down to Sz 8… Not to mention the Burberry sizing chart has my height and weight about 2 sizes apart.
I've wanted a Burberry coat for years ever since my mother bought hers years ago on a trip to Spain and England for business but I drown in that coat. Its nice to know now that if I want to invest in one, I need to buy the kids version and its cheaper too!
Wherever is cheapest is where I'd buy.
Who knows that you're going to be wearing a kid's coat anyway? Only you and your fun flap.
Wow… that's still quite expensive for a children's jacket. And the wrinkling would drive me mad. But it's nice that Burberry would alter it for free. Love the lining in the boys' jacket. 🙂
To answer some of your questions…I didn't keep this one because the material wasn't as nice as some I've tried on before (those felt sturdy and very weather-proof). Also, I guess you guys are right in that the belt serves the purpose of cinching the waist…I suppose trenches aren't intended to be worn flapping around open!
RL – the ones I've seen at Burberry are past season regular store merchandise. Not like BR which makes stuff just for their outlets. And unfortunately only retail-price purchases quality for free alterations. However you can bring outlet stuff to stores to get it altered for a fee (reasonable fees, similar to what my normal tailor charges me).
Canadian petite – you're so right, in a number of years all my income will go towards my kids (lol!). $500 is significant enough that it should be none less than perfect.
Ping – I know, right? Who buys their kids these items that they'll grow out of in a year? Unless you're selena gomez of course, lol.
Hmmm..that kid's coat in the first picture look good on you. If you had the arms slimmed, would you still be able to wear a suit jacket under? The material doesn't sound like it will hold up in wet weather so you would have spent $500 too much. You're at the stage in your life when you can afford to splurge on no one else but yourself so wait for the adults and get that altered to satisfaction. Besides, if you keep it for at least 3 yrs, cost per wear will be worth it!
Good idea, buying kids trench coats. I bought a size 0 trench from Banana Republic once and it looked like a circus tent on me. I think that trench coats are always cut loosely and are hard to fit right.
I would have never thought of a kids coat in a million years, but it seems like a reasonable option!
I agree with you on the fit though, and it needs some work to fit you better. The comp alterations seems like a pretty awesome bonus though. Thanks for the review!
Oy, even the girl's trench coat seems a bit large. Isn't it ridiculous that you're a grown woman and you can't even fit into a child's coat? That's so funny.
I love the coat.. it definitely looks very classy and stylish!
I like the girls one. It looks really good when cinched in, and I can't tell that it's kids' sizing at all.
But $500 is still a lot of money. I would probably spend maybe $300 max on a very good but not perfect for me coat.
Hmm… I'm thinking with free alterations you can pretty much go with either the adult or kids and just have everything taken in to your exact specs! Belted, the kids trench looks pretty good even without alterations. Love the popped collar.. so cute and classy! Do the sleeves have that lining too so that when you roll it up the check would show? That'd be so cuute.
And for the price, plus free alts, you could buy another kids one in another color instead of having 1 adult coat!
wow! it looks so great on you! luck you~
I like the first trench on you, it looks really sophisticated! If you get free alterations, I say definitely keep it!!!
Definitely a step closer and much better than the Nordstrom one. You think the free alternations would make it perfect? It'd be a really good deal.
the peacoat looks nice and fitted when cinched, but when un-cinched, not sure if i like it either. i didn't realize that burb kids were so expensive too…omg i would never buy my kids (if i had one) designer stuff…lol
i have their rainboots, but they are quite uncomfy. don't know y i never returned them…just sitting in my closet!
the boy's trench is definitely a no. so boxy!
i love it when retailers offer free alterations — like nordies. glad to see that burb offers it too!
why wouldn't you keep it since alterations are free?
The first coat does look pretty good when cinched. Do you ever wear your trenches unbuttoned/uncinched? I like the idea of it but it always seems like there would be too much fabric flapping around.
I agree with you that the sleeves do need to be slimmed and length taken up. Do you know effective is it to have the waist nipped? It sounds like it would be quite complicated to create a waist shape where there isn't one to begin with.
I'm definitely loving the price and thanks for sharing the free alterations tip. That definitely does sweeten the deal since alterations can be so costly! Since that takes care of the cost and fit factor, the only other issue for me would be the material. My only experience with Burberry is that Nordstrom trench I'm definitely more wary about their materials!
Since alterations are free from the Burberry store, I would keep it. You can do the things you want – slimming, shortening, taking in, etc. As for the belt, you can make holes (professional ones), and you can also unattach it from the back. The cinching of the waist, my theory, if it has belt loops, it's supposed to have a belt, so you're cinching the waist as it is with the belt!
The girl version looks amazing on you with belt and I don't see "kid's cloth" there. If I were you I would definitely keep it.
Wow that first one looks great! The boy's one is really funny LOL!
Are the adult ones made of a better quality material? If they are then I say wait and splurge. If not, then I would probably keep it and get the free alterations done.
The coat length looks okay when you were in heels, but way too long for your height when you were in flats.
Haha about the boy's coat. But the girl's coat is definitely a contender. I dislike the waist not being cinched in and the wrinkle-prone material though.
By the way, do you know if Burberry outlet stores sell the same quality stuff as their boutiques? And if items from an outlet still qualify for free alterations?
the first one looks great – can definitely pass for a non-kids trench.
cool experiment!
roxy
http://roxybeautyblog.blogspot.com/
It's super cool that you're doing a review on this coat. Because I was watching Selena Gomez video last night with little one and she worn the exact same one. I thought of you instantly when I saw Selena's trench coat. I googled it and sure was from Burb. I really like it. I haven't seen it in person so I can't tell much. Selena worn it without the bottom. Is it supposed to be long to begin with? Great review! Can't wait to see what's next on your list to try 🙂
haha the boy coat photos are hilarious! I like the fit of this girl's one much better than the Nordstrom option. Even unbelted, it doesn't look *that* bad – are there any trenches that still look good unbelted?
The Burberry girls trench definitely fits you a lot better than the adult sized one, and at half the price! I'm guilty of buying jackets from Zara kids so I say keep the Burberry kids trench. As long as you can't tell that it's a kids jacket upon first impression, I say you're good to go! I do like the inner lining of the boys trench, but yeah, ahhaha the fit is atrocious! Boo on the sewed in belt, but go figure, kids will probably lose that so easily which is why it's sewn in. You look lovely in the first few photos, so I hope you decide to keep it!
Love the first one! 🙂
& why does your hair always look so nice and sleek? haha.
xoxo
http://evathebeaver.blogspot.com
Great reviews (love the first one!), and I'm with Couture and Crayons- never thought to venture into Burberry Kids, but I'm seriously reconsidering!
Hmm. The girls coat seems to fit pretty well and the price difference is huge. I think I'd go for the girls coat.
The boy coat is so funny! :p The buttons on it are so striking when unbelted :p I think the girls' fit on you is great, and doesn't scream KID. The price difference is outrageous though, nearly 40% more costly. I guess for me to weigh it all down is how the material fits. Is there "kiddie" material? More poly than cotton, or vice versa? The girls' fit on you is really good! I am looking forward to your next trench finds 🙂 Hmmm, Gap, I wonder how their line of coats will be like 🙂
I use to shop at abercrombie kids when I worked there, because the clothes were cheaper, and they fit pretty good! 🙂 I like the Girl's burberry jacket, it looks very good on you!
OMG! If I was your size, I'd definitely shop in the kiddie section! It'll save me so much more money! But of course, only if it's not too kiddish.
<33 Rena
I love the first one! I would splurge on an adult one someday when I have paid all my student debts and med school fees (when will there come a day?) xD By that time … I will be only sporting white lab coats hopefully hahaha
Elle – how silly of me I forgot to put a "verdict" : ) I am returning it. It's not perfect for me (belt issue, uncoated material), plus it's still $500. But it's one step closer!
The million dollar question: Are you going to keep it? 🙂
Or hold off until you find the perfect petite adult one?