Winter Coat

[ladoyle]

First released in conjunction with book signing event on July 26th, and officially available August 2nd, 2023.

Claudie bundles up in her cozy holiday coat as she soaks in the special sights and sounds of Harlem at Christmastime. Includes:
A mint-green winter coat with a rounded faux-fur-trimmed collar, a faux-fur pom-pom tie at the neckline, black accent buttons, and gold and black sparkly trim
A mint-green faux-wool beret topped with a white faux-fur pom-pom
A white faux-fur muff to warm up Claudie’s hands or be worn around her neck


Does anyone have Claudie’s new coat set that could tell me if it is lined or not? I don’t see any reviews here and am considering it.

[SarahK]

Yes, it is lined.

[mamared]

It’s so nice for the historical dolls to get attention with new outfits and accessories. The summer 2023 release for Claudie was full of good things, including this cute ensemble, which I purchased soon after release.


SKU#: HPN43 $40

Here’s the AG description (bolded), along with additional thoughts and photos …

Claudie bundles up in her cozy holiday coat as she soaks in the special sights and sounds of Harlem at Christmastime.

Includes:
A mint-green winter coat with a rounded faux-fur-trimmed collar, a faux-fur pom-pom tie at the neckline, black accent buttons, and gold and black sparkly trim - The mint green coat and matching hat have a nice, substantial feel to them. The fabric is described as “faux-wool” (and is actually polyester). The style/cut seems similar to a short car coat; it looks nice and cozy with a closure all the way up to the neck (where it meets the fur-trimmed rounded collar), it has long sleeves, and the body of the coat gently widens until it stops at the top of the knee. There are two evenly spaced bands of black and gold trim that go down the front of the coat, and the single Velcro strip closure is alongside one of them (on the doll’s left side, or the right if you’re facing her). The closure is accented near the waist with a vertical row of three black dome-shaped shank buttons, and there are faux pocket openings at the sides. I think the button placement along with the trim color and collar (and the pom-pom tie) give this coat an old-fashioned feel that makes it work for Claudie’s time. (I don’t actually know if it’s historically accurate, but it doesn’t look wrong to me. The button placement in particular - at and below the waist - looks right for the era.)

I really like how the coat is lined and how easy it is to put it on and take it off the doll, even when she’s wearing long sleeves. I also like the weight and substantial feel of the coat. The placement of the Velcro strip and the particular style with its asymmetrical closure mean this coat will always look best if it’s fully closed (which I don’t love), but my overall grade for the coat based on its quality and usefulness would be a B or B+.

Claudie in her coat:


The round collar, with its fur trim and fur pom-pom that hang on the end of thin white ribbon ties:


Close up of the black and gold trim and the decorative black buttons:


Cuff at the end of the sleeves, and the plastic oval vanity tag on the bottom of the coat:


Faux pockets on both sides:


From the back:


A view of the lining and of what the Velcro looks like when it’s undone:


A mint-green faux-wool beret topped with a white faux-fur pom-pom - I’m not very experienced with berets, but I think this is a cute addition that is sized well and very easy to use with Claudie. Unlike Molly’s berets or the recent Janie and Jack version, Claudie’s beret has a noticeable band. I think this is a nice, well-made, and functional piece. The only potential drawback that comes to mind would be its relatively limited use, but I think it’s a perfect complement to this outfit. My grade is a B+.

This beret has a band:


The white furry pom-pom:


A white faux-fur muff to warm up Claudie’s hands or be worn around her neck - I took most of my photos without this piece. It has a nice long cord that is easy to loop around Claudie’s neck, but since her arms aren’t jointed, they can’t be angled to keep her hands inside the muff when she wears it that way. In some of the promotional materials, she wears it looped over one shoulder with just one hand in it, which I guess would work better. While the muff is a nice add-on idea, I’d grade it a C- just because of its very limited usefulness. (Personally, I think I’d prefer a pair of mittens.)

Around the neck:


Finally worth noting, because this is a historical outfit, it comes with the little pamphlet that gives the outfit context and places it with some of the other items in Claudie’s collection. Here are some images from the pamphlet (note that the first image shows Claudie wearing the muff over one shoulder):











My overall impression of this outfit is that it’s a cute and well-made set that works well for Claudie. I’d give it a B/B+ at full retail price, and would raise it to an A- if purchased in the $30-35 range OR if American Girl actually releases a winter dress or winter outfit that can be worn under the coat. (My Claudie is wearing her Travel Outfit, which has long sleeves but is still summery. In its advertising for the Winter Coat, Claudie is shown wearing her black meet shoes and black tights - maybe the tights from her Dress-Up Accessory set? - but what she’s wearing under the coat is a mystery. I’d love for a winter dress to be added to the collection!)

Finally, two last photos of the front and back (top and underside) of the coat and beret: