A Letter From Patricia

I'm 64, and I finally stopped dreading the walk from the car to the front door.

A long hooded parka with a soft, plush lining, a snap-over zip front and deep pockets, made for the cold mornings you can't skip.

by Patricia Miller · Asheville, North Carolina
Posted October 2026 · 5 min read

At 64, I have stopped pretending I don't feel the cold. Our winters here in the mountains aren't dramatic, but the mornings are damp and grey, and the wind finds every gap in a short jacket.

For years I wore the same puffy coat. It kept me warm enough, but it stopped at my hips, made a swishing noise every time I moved, and honestly made me look like I was heading out to shovel snow, even when I was just meeting my sister for lunch.

I wanted something longer, softer on the inside and a little nicer to look at. Something I could pull on without thinking and still feel put together in.

The day it arrived, still in the tissue paper.

That is how I ended up with this hooded parka from Eliza & Maren. I chose the red, which is not like me at all, and I have not regretted it once.

Here are five little things that make this parka worth a closer look.

1
The plush lining is what you notice first

The moment I slipped my arms in, I understood why people talk about lined coats the way they do. The inside is soft and plush, right up into the hood, so it feels like pulling a blanket around your shoulders. When I leave the top open, that cream lining shows a little and it looks cozy and inviting, not bulky.

"I've reached an age where I want my coat to feel just as lovely on the inside as it looks on the outside. That softness makes all the difference on a chilly morning."

Linda Thompson, Miami, FL

2
A hood that actually frames your face

I used to skip hoods because they flopped around or blew straight off. This one sits nicely behind my neck when it's down, and when the wind picks up I pull it on and tighten the drawcords a little. The lining goes all the way around, so it is soft against my ears instead of scratchy.

"I've always appreciated a good hood, especially when the wind picks up. It's such a simple detail, but it makes stepping outside feel so much more pleasant."

Barbara Mitchell, Dallas, TX

3
A front that closes properly

There is a zipper, and then a placket that folds over it and closes with snaps. It sounds like a small thing, but it means no cold draft creeping through the zip, and it gives the front a neat, tailored look. On milder days I leave the snaps open and just use the zipper.

I love when a coat has those thoughtful little details. Being able to zip it up and button it over makes me feel properly wrapped up before heading outside.

Nancy Peterson, Philadelphia, PA

4
Pockets you can really use

The front pockets are big enough for my phone, my keys and a pair of gloves, with room left for my hands. I didn't realize how much I had missed having proper pockets until I had them again.

At this point in my life, I don't want to carry a handbag everywhere. Having room for my phone, keys, and gloves is something I appreciate every single day.

Susan Anderson, San Diego, CA

5
Long enough to cover what matters

This is the part I love most. It comes down past my hips, so my back stays covered when I bend over to load groceries into the car, and there is room underneath for a thick sweater. It also comes in sizes up to 5XL, which my sister was very happy to hear.

I've never liked jackets that ride up whenever I move. A little extra length makes me feel more covered, especially when I'm out walking or running errands.

Carol Richardson, Charlotte, NC

This one vs. your usual winter coat

	Typical winter coat	This one
The inside	Thin, slippery lining	Soft, plush lining, hood included
The length	Stops at the hip	Longer cut that covers more
The front	Just a zipper	Zipper plus a snap-over placket
The pockets	Small or shallow	Large front pockets
The colors	Black, navy, grey	8 shades, from classic to bright
The sizes	Often stops at XL	S up to 5XL

The price right now

I always enjoy finding something lovely on sale, and this one was a nice surprise.

Right now this parka is $114.95, down from $384.95. That is a saving of $270.00, or 70% off.

And if you are buying for a sister or a friend too, the more you add, the more you save. The discount is applied automatically at checkout.

Also available in Black, Pink, Army Green, Navy Blue, Purple, Dark Blue and Mint Green.

The older I get, the more I appreciate clothes that make ordinary days a little easier. A coat I can grab on my way out, that keeps the wind off and still looks nice when I take my sister to lunch, is worth more to me than anything trendy.

This parka has become exactly that coat. Soft on the inside, long enough to keep me covered, and cheerful enough that it makes a grey morning feel a little brighter.

If you have been making do with a coat that keeps you warm but never makes you feel good, I think this one is well worth a closer look.

Patricia Miller · North Carolina

See the parka, $114.95 →

Available in 8 colors · Sizes S to 5XL

Patricia is a fictional character; this letter is written from her perspective. · Eliza & Maren New York · Free US Shipping · 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee