The North Face Insulated Grace Jacket - Women's - 2008 BCS

I've seen this jacket and it's the best looking jacket jacket I have ever seen. I'm a guy but for a girl, I think you would love this jacket.

I bought the Stella Grace and Grace hooded jackets from Back Country. Let me just say, Back Country is great. So are the jackets. If….you are planning to take the time to zip your coats up and adjust the hood BEFORE you get in a rain storm. If you’re already there, “fuggetaboutit.” I grumble to myself when I can’t get zipped/hooded-in that these coats were designed by a group of male engineers who have never been in a rain storm in their life, and certainly not carrying anything.

The reason I am taking the time to write this review is twofold: one so that you won’t return the coat once you buy it because you can’t get the zippers up, and two, so that you won’t plan to wear it when you can’t give full and undivided attention into getting into it, before the storm hits you.

Anyhow they are both nearly the same so I will post the same review for them.

1. Look-ma-no-hands zipper. I almost returned both coats to Back Country until my boyfriend showed me I was trying too hard. It's like a puzzle. You have to not care, and not try hard, & put the curved zipper hook into the zipper holder. These have the same weaknesses of all North Face double-zipper coats: if you hold the right side, you can’t get it up. Of course, for the Stella Grace, I still try 4 times in a row before I can get the zipper up anyway, but that is why I grumble.

2. External zipper lining to catch the zipper in. (Stella Grace). This miracle of engineering means that the zipper catches on the way up. And down.

3. Hood keepers. I call these the “keepers” because they keep you from adjusting the hood easily. Both coats have the little protector mechanism that makes the hood stay tight. But finding it is another matter. I struggled in a wind-rain storm in Boston to pull the hood tight on the Stella Grace coat and it took me 3 blocks of walking to even find the hood string. It is neatly “tucked” inside the hood where only a NASA engineer would think to reach. The Grace coat is much easier. Just pull and voila. But then when you want to undo the hood string – you find there is also a protector mechanism that is again, hidden, and after another 2 blocks of walking, you can figure out how to pull it out. Then your hair goes along with it.In spite of all those complaints, these are fantastic coats.Here’s why:

1. Warm & cozy. Once you can get all zipped in, you will be warm & dry. I have worn the Grace coat in weather ranging so far from 40-60 degrees, rain, wind and sun, and been totally comfortable. I’m warm, dry and fashionable for the first time in Boston. You can also wear designer shoes and sunglasses & look great with these coats. Women ask me about them…

2. Unique. I have had these for a few weeks and I’m the only one in Boston I have seen wearing one.

3. Functional. These have everything you need. Hoods, pockets for your hands, pockets for other stuff. The Grace coat has a little string thing with a hook on it in the right pocket to attach keys. The belts are secure. The Stella Grace coat has a belt that is buttoned on, and then snaps to close. (Again, another feature you don’t want to be struggling with in a rain storm, but which makes it quite stylish in the sun…)

Just a note as to fit. I’m 5’8 with long arms and a long torso. Both coats have long enough arms. On the Stella Grace cost, the waist sits fine, but on the Grace coat, it rides up too high. I am considering lowering the belt loops.I received these in a timely manner from Back Country. And I would recommend both the coats and the vendor again.

Also a note as to temperature. I own four TNF coats now. After living in Boston for more than 10 years, I don't mess around anymore when it comes to the weather - I invest.
For 60 degrees - Stella Grace
For 40-50 degrees - Stella Grace with TNF APEX as liner or Grace coat
For 30-40 degrees - Metropolis Puffer
For 30 degrees or lower - Arctic parka

This coat is: warm, water/wind proof, good looking (its been in the teens with 20mph wind and rain/snow) It is an adequate fit-I would say slim, especially for and insulated coat, and have become comfortable in it even with my monkey-arms and football-player shoulders. If in doubt, order the next size up. I think the belt is a nice touch, but I'm not one to tie belts and keep the ends tucked into the pockets. I haven't noticed a conehead effect concerning the hood. I also seem to have a large cranium, and like big hoods. To counter the wind, I recommend pulling on a balaclava, the hair will get messed up anyway. The coat hits just below the knee, and the double zipper is very useful for being active. The pockets are good-sized for a women's coat, and it has little zippers at the cuffs to widen the ends of the sleeves. I find this helpful. As far as the color, New Taupe Plaid is really Army Green with a subtle black plaid worked in, so the coat looks like a nice olive color at first glance.

I bought this Jacket for my Mom for Christmas based solely on what she was looking for in a coat. She absolutely loves it! It is lightweight but very warm and water/wind proof. The only complaint is the zipper can be hard to catch, which is actually pretty normal for coats of this length. She has the blue coat and the color is really pretty. Definitely worth the price! She'll wear it for years!

I LOVE this jacket! It's light weight, but warm and very stylish. I was a little worried after ordering with the number of comments noting the sizing was geared toward juniors, but I found it to be true to misses sizes and it fit perfectly (I generally take a size 8 jacket and ordered a medium - close fitting enough to look tailored, yet roomy enough to accommodate a thicker sweater).

This is a great coat that is warm and comfortable to wear without the bulk that down jackets present. The first cold day, I just wore a T-shirt and this coat to test out the warmth and comfort...and I am a person that is always cold. Can I say super-duper?!? Not only is it warm and waterproof, but it seems to be windproof as well! I think that little feature attributes to how warm the coat is! It is A-line shape that goes in just a little around the waist (which is great because there is no bulk when you tie it). The insulated version does not have a belt buckle and is a good length to tie comfortably. It is true to size (not junior sizing at all) and is comfortable enough to accomodate thicker clothing with no restrictions in the arms. I have broad shoulders and coats tend to make me look broader in the shoulders (than necessary). The nice thing about this coat is that there is no seam where the sleeve and shoulder meets, so it allows for a slimming fit. The bottom of the coat is wide enough to allow for comfortable walking without unzipping from the bottom or undoing the snap that keeps the back slit closed. The sleeves are little longer than my other TNF jackets, but the zippered sleeves are good for adjustments. I am short (5'1"), so the length hits me at my knees, which is a good length to keep me warm (without hindering my movement). I bought the New Taupe Plaid. It is an army green/dark olive color with black plaid (the plaid does not take away from the coat color). Overrall, I am extremely happy with this coat, will recommend it to friends, and might buy a different color next winter. Maybe next year, I will catch it during a sale!

I returned this one (blue plaid) for the brown plaid version of the same coat, but overall, I like this jacket very much, its not bulky, and so far, warm enough for commuting purposes. I really wish they made the black in a pattern, which would look very sharp, in my opinion. Lastly, the pockets are large but the opening to them, not so much. a larger pocket opening would be handy to fit more stuff, especially when your hands are full!

Was disappointed with the outside fabric - it's very stiff and makes noise!
Sent it back - I could live with the "noise" but the jacket itself is much too stiff.

I really hemmed and hawed about buying this jacket, even going so far as trying it on in a store and then waiting a few weeks before doing so. It was a great decision. It IS expensive but it's both very versatile and very warm. I have worn it over a dress on a snowy New Year's eve, over a suit in rainy weather, and over jeans and a sweatshirt in cold crisp weather. It's incredibly lightweight for an insulated jacket and incredibly warm in the cold. Water (and snow) literally beads off of it. The pockets are a good size and well located and the hood is removable (although with the weather in the East Coast, I have yet to do so). I have also gotten a ton of compliments on it. So, yes, it IS expensive but it is totally worth it. I can see myself wearing this for years to come. P.S. I got the blue, which also has black in it, so it seems to match with just about everything.

Love my jacket. It's not too bulky and not too thin, just right. It keeps you warm even in the chilly chicago winter but you can still use for spring. If you're looking for an all around jacket, this is it. Love it.

I ordered the Vintage White color and I was very dissapointed. Unlike on the pucture, the plaid pattern is very very visible. I thought the jacked was rather beige overall, but not a very nice beige. I thought it was a very teenage color. I am 22, but I thought this jacket looked too young for me. What is more, the fit seemed bigger than the black I tried one at the North Face store. Overall, I found the color very unflaterring. I was very dissapointed, because I really wanted to like it.

I ordered the coat in white vintage plaid which appears as a soft cream color with greyish plaid. It is very stylish. I found it to be an ideal coat for travel because it is very light weight, folded easily to be stored in the overhead compartment on the plane and remained unwrinkled when unfolded. I purchased the coat to wear to Washington DC while I attended the inauguration on January 20th. On this most memorable day I was toasty warm standing on the Capitol Mall in what was reported to be temps in the teens and twenties with a brisk wind! My heart was warmed by what I witnessed and this coat made it possible for me to be comfortably warm for the duration of my time spent outside in the above mentioned temps which totalled about 7 hrs. Just as a note I was also wearing the nuptse fur II winter boot which my feet had a love affair with!! Thanks Backcountry!

I LOVE this jacket! It's light weight, but warm and very stylish. I was a little worried after ordering with the number of comments noting the sizing was geared toward juniors, but I found it to be true to misses sizes and it fit perfectly (I generally take a size 8 jacket and ordered a medium - close fitting enough to look tailored, yet roomy enough to accommodate a thicker sweater).

I own several TNF coats and this is my favorite!

I am petite; 5'2" 106 lbs. I ordered the small according to the size chart. I had to send it back and ordered the xtra small. Though the jacket fit I found the belt sitting too high on my torso and looked very awkward. All in all this is a great jacket and wish it fit better.

It is exactly what I wanted it to be. It can really toast up. In really cold weather, layer it. It stays nice and dry in cold wet weather but it isn't bulky.

After reading all the reviews, I really had high expectations for this coat. It's got an A-line shape that nicely accentuates a woman's body. On the other hand, the hood is too small and has an odd shape that makes me look like one of those Cone Heads on Saturday Night Live (think the 70s). It seems like women's jackets have hoods that are either too big or too small. I have a small head and the hood barely covers in front and is huge in the back (hence the cone head effect). Maybe I'm just overly sensitive about my head ? ; )

Also, I found the fabric to be really stiff and swishy. In other words, every time I move it makes a swishing sound. How will I ever be able to sneak up on my officemate without alerting her?

Unfortunately, I will be keeping my old coat and sending this one back.

If you're concerned about whether this coat will fit you, I found that it is true to size (except for the hood).

Hmm. I guess I would say I was totally satisfied with the jacket until I read the reviews above, and they are very true. The hood is an awkward cone-head shape, and the belt is too high on my waist. VERY WARM, but not for freezing temps unless you wear tons of layers underneath. Great for fall and spring, or for quick errands.

Also...backcountry is extremely fast and the customer service is GREAT!! So friendly, so helpful. I would buy again from this site in a heartbeat.

Absolutely love this jacket, its not huge and bulky but so warm and super cute! I'm 5'2 120 lbs and ordered the Small and its perfect

I have the lighter version of this jacket that I have fallen in love with. I've woren this one only once so far because we've had a pretty warm autumn, but it was perfect for that chilly, rainy day.