The North Face Avenue Down Parka - Women's - 2011 BCS

It looks nice. It keeps you warm in winter yet you still get a slim silhouette with this one on. my only problem is the sleeves are too long for me. I'm struggling over whether I should return it or try cutting the sleeves shorter??? :-(

Perfect women's jacket for very cold winters - bulky, but not uncomfortable.

I ordered both the Avenue and Metropolis because it was hard to discern on the website the differences. The Avenue is definitely going back. In addition to the sleeves, which others mentioned as being way too long proportionately, the shape and horizontal stitching are not flattering - my husband described it as looking like a bowling ball! Also, the fabric was a bit shiny, just adding to the look. If you are torn, definitely go with the Metropolis!

I am 5'4" and 107 lbs. I ordered this Avenue coat in Graphite Gray in size XS and I just loved it!!

I buy everything from North Face in XS and this coat fitted me perfectly as always. The sleeves are made a little but long, but just long enough to fully cover your arms as a top layer and not too long at all.

There are thicker and warmer down coats out there in the market, but this one did a good job for me even when I went out to the dog park and stayed there for an hour in the middle of the winter in Illinois. On a really chilly day you just need to layer your clothes and wear warm bottoms and insulated boots to stay warm.

I wore this coat almost every day this winter, leaving behind my favorite mouton coats at home which I used to wear daily.

Well, I feel pretty bad because I love the coat...just that it isn't warm at all! It has been a pretty mild winter here in Indy and the last two days it has been in the mid to upper 30's with light snow. I got the coat and tried it a couple times out on the porch with a light breeze - alternating between my Eddie Bauer 550 (rated 20-40 degrees) and the Eddie Bauer won. Though the coat fits nicely and I love the style, I just couldn't recommend it to those who want style and function in winter weather. The light breeze went right through it! I regret sending it back because it is so pretty on, but I need a coat that is warm and also nice to wear for work. Sorry North Face.

I love this coat! I had a North Face Metropolis and although it was nice and felt a tad bit warmer, this parka is much more figure flattering and stylish. I don't think the arms are long at all. Most winter coats offer longer arms for protection from the cold, so this is a plus. I am 5'4" and 115 lbs. I was concerned about the size and had originally ordered a medium. It was too big, so they shipped me out a small and that worked out much better.

The customer service representatives at Backcountry are wonderful! Not only are they 100% professional and courteous, they strive to make their customers happy! Other companies should take serious notes from them! I will definitely be recommending them to my family and friends and will certainly be ordering from them in the future!

I purchased the Avenue from North Face's site, it was too small and came here to get a medium. I received a defective coat and the reps on chat sent me a new one immediately without hassle and gave me the now sale price as well! You guys are awesome! Thank you!!!

In regard to the arms being too long...yes, North face is making the arms longer on a lot of things to make sure your hands and lower arms stay toasty...it would be a nice feature to add the polar fleece inner cuffs, but the coat is warm, the material feels durable - more so than the Metropolis - great for blocking the wind in Indiana, and definitely more flattering than the Metropolis! Wish I could have worn the small as it fit everywhere nicely but across the chest. Bummer. Well, I can wear a sweater under the medium and have free range of movement. Not too puffy and a very flattering silhouette!
Any case, don't knock the coat until you really try it out! If the arms seem a bit long - and you have to commute to work - remember when you are driving all that extra length goes away when your hands are on the wheel. You will want the length when the wind and cold are blowing!

I really thought this was going to be my coat, but the arms are just too long. I am 5'4" and usually a xs/s--I ordered an s because North Face usually runs small. The body of the coat was the right size, just not the arms...so I'm returning it. Ended up going with the East Village parka bc the sleeves were right on, even though there's no hood.

I bought this for my wife in a x small for her b'day and she loves it, but the arms seem too long in proportion to the body of the jacket. For that prince, I would expect a much better fit. Its still fall so no comment on its warmth but at 600 down should be fine. Three stars for now because of the arms, but the real test will be in winter. Unrelated, I had to return for a small size, and the backcountry return system is great, although still waiting for the 'instant' refund!