Life, food, events, and community in Albuquerque, NM

Teen's winter coat?

I'm looking for a local place to purchase a winter coat or jacket that is "not too sporty" (no REI), "not too trendy" (whatever that means, but various mall dept chain stores and Old Navy and its clones are out), not too vintage (ix-nay on Buffalo Exchange), "not too East Coast" (nothing tailored or black wool) and "not mail order" (no Bean, Bauer, or Lands' End). My only criteria is that it must keep her warm enough that she can walk to school in Albuquerque winter weather, and that it is not TOO expensive, since it will likely only last a season as she's not done growing. I'm at my wit's end and it is getting cold - help!

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Brendan on October 30, 2009 at 12:11pm: Assuming you're not looking to buy local, it's time to hit Montgomery Blvd. Start at Burlington Coat Factory, then Ross (Carlisle is cross-street). Failing that, head east to TJ Maxx (Louisiana) , grab a sandwich at Yeller Sub, then further up to Marshalls (Eubank). You'll probably run into my wife because she's inevitably at one of them!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Barelas Babe on October 30, 2009 at 12:19pm: Eek - I didn't even think to ask if "local" was part of her criteria! (crossing fingers); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Chris on October 30, 2009 at 3:14pm: San Mateo is cross-street; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by jim on October 30, 2009 at 1:17pm: I'm not sure what styles are left after the ones you ruled out, but I always get my fashion apparel from Cabela's. www.cabelas.com.
Maybe a nice camo pattern jacket. Their prices are better than most places and their clothing is usually made to last.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by RivetGang on October 30, 2009 at 1:21pm: I like Savers and Thrifttown thrift stores... used and cheap. Might have to make a few visits before you find something you want.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by mombat on October 30, 2009 at 1:41pm: It is sounding like thrift store time, although it is probably a " I will know it when I see it" kind of thing.
Can she point out something in a magazine or even on a person that she would be willing to to wear?
Good luck.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Barelas Babe on October 30, 2009 at 3:05pm: @Jim - nothing military, camo included.
@Mombat - you have that right! We will keep trying and one of these days before spring we will find the magic coat?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kat on October 30, 2009 at 2:36pm: Burlington actually has a great selection and pretty good prices. There's one near Cottonwood Mall, too.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by flutephobia on October 30, 2009 at 4:57pm: This may fit into the "too trendy" category, but I've seen some great coats at Target.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Diverjon on October 31, 2009 at 8:52am: I would let her freeze. Needs to learn the world does not revolve around her.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Barelas Babe on October 31, 2009 at 9:39am: I think you missed my point here. I'm just shopping impaired when it comes to clothing for teens (as regular readers of my posts know) and looking for some tips, Diverjon.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Amy on October 31, 2009 at 8:58am: As a former eye-rolling teenage girl, I will say that when I got to this stage, my parents would just give me money, drive me to the mall, and let me pick out my own clothes. Generally this level of pickiness really means "let me buy it myself." She is probably angling for something her friends have or think is cool but she knows you won't go for unless you're completely exasperated. I doubt you'll be able to come up with anything she will actually accept because, well, you're her mom, and with most teenagers anything Mom likes is automatically and irrevocably uncool. If she ends up with something too light for the weather, look at it this way. Either she can learn to layer (which is actually in style anyway) or she'll be cold. Either way, valuable lesson learned. Plus, by doing her own shopping she can start learning about budgeting and price-to-value, which are also important lessons. Give her what you would spend on a coat and tell her that's it in terms of money, shop wisely. If she comes home with a cheap, thin hoodie and four new CDs, well, she's going to be one frozen teensicle by the time she gets to school in the mornings, but at least she'll have good music to listen to.

I don't mean to be flippant but I very well remember when I got to this point. After having a screaming match with my mom in the middle of the Las Cruces JC Penney's, she finally let me start buying my own clothes, and everyone was happier. Good luck :); ▶ Reply to This