Just one of those things...you see women in fur-trimmed parkas EVERYWHERE in Belgium, often in pale yellow, mint green, or soft rose shades, but not in Paris. And in Belgium, Delvaux is *the* handbag to carry (well, it is a Belgian brand), but it doesn't even make the top 10 in Paris.

Fur trimmed parkas? mmmmmmm I want to start that trend in NY:) Make mine pale blue~C

Sorry, But if you are going out in the evening to a good restaurant or theater, a parka just does not do it!<BR><BR><BR>I have a short Burberry, Sorry, john G you are not the only one who knows the good stuff, that is great for day wear, with liner and with a sweater and woolen scarves ! Women and girls do not need advice from guys!!!<BR><BR>At night a long woolen coat with a scarf or pashmina looks fantastic!<BR>And as someone above mentioned ,use those plastic travel bags , they fold down into nothing! It can be cold and microfiber is TACKY!!!!<BR><BR>If you look good enough someone will always carry your bag for you!!<BR><BR>Sorry John G<BR>

Actually- if I am going out at night and need to be dressed up, my fur will do well without last years pashmina...meoww:) but really, traveling coats must be capable of going from day to night,looking good - and warm! So some of us might have to forgo such heavy fashion statement making - and go for the warmth and comfort, and not risk catching a cold looking so chic!So wool is ok but not great if it is wet and not if you hate lugging a heavy big coat through the stores and museums that are overheated..something light weight and warm will be what you want-and microfiber wear comes in tacky and quality...so you can be the judge of that, and if it is so tacky-why are they the best sellers in the stores year after year? and why are designers like Gucci and Max Mara and Prada making them every year?

Before I retired, I had to make business calls in England, Scotland, the Netherlands, and Belgium...in winter. What saved my life was a long, Scottish-made sheepskin coat, plus sheepskin gloves and a wool hat and a wool scarf. And rubber boots.

I don't know about you folks, but wool is heavy and bulky. And if it rains hard, how do you keep the wool dry? I suggest a Gore Tex parka full of Thinsulate and some water resistant gloves. They are good for anything cold: rain, sleet, snow, or hail. I also have a pair of Gore Tex rain pants if the going gets really sloppy. And you need foot gear too, for either frozen precip or rain.<BR>That coat alone is not going to keep your feet or your hands dry, or warm.<BR>

Brenda, I think at this point, you should print out these messages, give them to your daughter and let her decide what to do. Be gracious with her choice since it is her trip and she should wear what she wants. Unless you are willing to let HER pick the clothes YOU wear on your next trip!

I vote for the long wool coat as well. February is usually the coldest month of the year (but certainly not the wettest), so her wool coat will be much more comfortable than a raincoat. I suppose she will be visiting mainly cities, then a wool coat is more appropriate than a raincoat or a parka. As suggested, she should take an umbrella as well. <BR>Myriam from Belgium

The question is for a visitor to Belgium and London - not someone living there. When I lived in the UK I had several coats including two long wool ones, one with a fur collar. But a traveler doesn't have the luzury of taking several coats. Once a long wool coat gets seriously wet or wrinkled it is no longere warm, useful or stylish. That is why "puffy", microfiber or Burberry/London Fog type coats are better choices for traveling.

Why could 'someone living there' not give some advice in this respect? I don't have a choice of wintercoats myself and, as I said before, February is certainly not the wettest month of the year. Well on the contrary! Furthermore, I cannot imagine anyone walking in the pouring rain for a whole day ... there's enough to do/see inside in case the weather is really bad.

OK, I have the perfect solution, wear an old coat on the plane, and when you arrive go and buy whatever is stylish and warm in the local stores. Then you will be in style, warm, and be ahead of the trends in the US. <BR>I bought a wonder kind of boiled wool long jacket in Austria when I was freezing one year, and have yet to see one here in the US. And it is warm and Austrian stylish.

Thanks for all the lively replies. My daughter and I looked it over when she came over today. Nancy, thank you! !! She likes your idea best. Now where would be the best shop to find an "in style" suitable coat in London?

Hi Brenda, I always just go to Harrods, but I am sure other poster's will have better "stylish" store information. I just looked at my prized jacket and it is made by Giesswein of Austria. It is wool and rain rolls right off.<BR>Hope your daughter has a great trip and fun shopping.

Can't speak for Londong, but you can find very nice coats in Brussels--some stores to try include a coats-only store on the Ave. de la Toison d'Or just across the street from the Hilton Hotel and several stores along the Avenue Louise, including Raymond Weil right near Cartier, Apostrophe, MaxMara, etc. They've all got beautiful long wool coats on display. <BR>A big agreement to the Austrian coats--they hold up extremely well in the rain. Brussels has two stores that sell Austrian clothing--the first is on the rue Bailli (next to the 5 a Sec dry cleaning store) and the other is on the Place du Chatelain.<BR>Due to the euro conversion, the Brussels winter sales are starting later in 2002 than normal, so your daughter may find some good buys on beautiful coats.<BR>BTilke (Brussels)

Of course! Nancy had the best solution. It is practical, and you get to go shopping for new clothes! Wheeeeeee!

Brenda, what did your daughter buy, did her trip turn out fine? Was the weather agreeable?

When I was in UK I brought my cute Banana Repulblic peacoat style water-repellent jacket. I am a quite stylish 25 year old and do not consider anything about my style "old lady", so I don't know what you people are talkign about. It was super convernient, because I would just easily smoosh it into my travel bag if I got warm inside an exhibit, and when I took it out it wasn't wrinkled. Also, it has a nice fleecy inside that kept me toasty due to the windy weather! Make sure you tell her to bring a cute colorful scarf, so she can wrap it around her neck...actually, I see she must have already gone, but just the same.

sorry for typos, in a hurry...

I returned from London on Feb 18 and my long wool coat was precious. It rained for about 15 minutes the day of our arrival and the rest of our vacation it was dry, sunny, but cool, windy weather. A long coat was perfect. Actually, I also bought a long wool coat while there; could not pass this great sale, beautful gray color coat. Let her take the coat. She can always buy something lighter, if neccesary.