I Used to Love Cold, Rainy Days. Then Somewhere Along the Way, I Started Staying Inside. This Coat Brought Me Back Out.

Soft as a blanket. Long enough to keep my legs warm. And a hood for the days the wind just won't quit.

When I was younger, fall and winter were my favorite seasons.

Crunchy leaves on long walks. Raking the yard with the kids. Standing outside with my coffee to watch the first snow come down.

I'm not sure exactly when that changed. But somewhere along the way, the cold started to feel different. It got into my bones. The wind cut right through me. And a gray, drizzly morning was enough to make me stay home.

So I did. More and more.

I skipped my Saturday walk with my neighbor. I watched my grandson's game from the car. I told friends "maybe next week" more times than I'd like to admit.

And my coats weren't helping. The wool one was so heavy my shoulders ached. The puffy one made me look like a marshmallow. The short one left my legs freezing.

This fall, I tried the Marianne.

The first windy morning, I put it on, pulled up the hood and walked around the block. Warm all the way down. Snug and soft, like being wrapped in a blanket. And halfway around, I realized something.

I didn't want to turn back.

I've been out in it almost every day since. Here's why.

It's soft, warm and never heavy

Run your hand over it and you'll see. It's a thick, cozy teddy fabric, warm all the way through. But it doesn't drag on my shoulders like my old wool coat did.

And the pockets are big enough for my keys, my phone and my gloves, with room to tuck my cold hands inside.

It's long enough to keep the cold out

It comes down past my knees, so the wind can't sneak in. The cut is long and relaxed. There's room for a sweater underneath and room to move my arms, and nothing clings where I don't want it to.

The big buttons are easy to do up, even with cold fingers. No fighting with a stubborn zipper.

The hood is my favorite part

When the rain starts halfway to church, or the wind picks up in the parking lot, I just pull up the hood. No juggling an umbrella with my purse. No ruined hair before I even get inside.

It's been perfect for these chilly fall days.

What I got back

Here's the part I really wanted to tell you.

My Saturday walks with my neighbor are back on, drizzle or not. I watch my grandson's games from the bleachers again, not the car, cheering right along with everyone else. And when a friend calls on a gray, chilly afternoon to ask if I want to meet for coffee, I don't say "maybe next week" anymore.

I just grab my coat and go.

And this year, when the first snow comes, I'll be out there with my coffee again.

It comes in 5 lovely colors. I went with pink, and I get a compliment almost every time I wear it.

Pink Green Blue Gray Black

A few things you might wonder

Stay warm,

Barbara 🤍