Love it, but try it on first
I am so glad that I read many reviews on this year's model of the Classic Retro-X before purchasing. I have loved the idea of this jacket for years (cozy, warm, windproof, and made by Patagonia), but it always was a bit too boxy looking for me. This year I saw that it had been redesigned to be "slim fit". I was all set to go order it in my usual size small, but then I saw a few key reviews and decided to try it on in a store first...boy, am I glad that I did! I have a decent number of Patagonia jackets/vests and all of them are size small and they fit perfectly or a bit on the large side. I am 5'10 and 125 lbs (usually wear size 2-4 in clothing) and I found the small in this model was way to tight in the shoulders (and a bit short). I tried the medium and it was a perfect fit! Still slim looking, but fit well all around with enough room to wear a few layers underneath if I want. Some people have complained that there is too much material in the back and while I have noticed that when my arms are at my sides, I do see some extra material in the upper back area, as soon as I put my hands in the jacket pockets, that material distributes perfectly over my back (I also think I probably would not have even noticed if it hadn't been for reading about it in the reviews!). I love the color and the overall style of this jacket and I hope to enjoy it for many years to come! My only advice for Patagonia for next year is to label one size down to avoid confusion (i.e. the medium a small, small is x-small, etc.)...I can't imagine anyone but a young girl or pre-teen being able to wear the x-small in this style as it currently stands.
Research
My visits to most of the local stores found several coats; they just weren't the right one! Then I did my research online to replace my previous winter coat that I wore for 10+ years.
Somehow finding your website I saw this Retro jacket. Your site indicated three local stores (we don't have a Patagonia store here) that carry this design. The FIRST store I visited had the jacket in all sizes and colors. The salesperson and I determined the best color for me: the store did NOT have it in stock and were unable to locate it at any of their other stores. Instead of searching other local stores I went home and checked online. Online said they would try other stores and they found it in CA. I had my coat delivered to my home within the week. Because I receive your catalog I was able to save 15% on my purchase.
I love my coat: the insulation is on the inside, the fuzzy fabric is on the outside. I've never overheated wearing it. The berry color is so becoming people stop me and comment. I love the zipper pockets: I can store my keys, etc. there and go right to them saving all the time of looking for them. The weight of the coat surprised me. It is so lightweight that I can remove it and carry it with me without the bulk and still carry packages without much effort. Finally there's the collar. It measures 1"-2" and is fuzzy inside. That area MUST be warm for me to be warm! This coat fits ALL my needs--I'm delighted with this purchase. Thank you again for your outstanding customer service...Survivor
The Svelt Jacket
I love this Jacket! I'd been looking for a fleece jacket for some time and I'm happy I choose this one. Mine is the creamy white which I thought might get dirty too quickly but it has held up well. The fit is beautiful. I'm a curvy, athletic woman with a 38C chest and the size large fits me perfectly. The panels running down the sides adds a slimming shape. The length of the sleeves is perfect, reaching down to just over my wrist overlapping where my gloves meet my wrist. It is a nice jacket to layer for outdoor activities or to keep me warm in a cold New England farmhouse. It just plain looks nice on me! I bought it at the store and originally bought the green, but upon getting it outside in the parking lot, the green looked too minty and I returned it for the cream. I'm very happy with the color as it is soft and matches everything I wear. I do need to make sure the zipper is threaded all the way through the bottom pull-up or else the zipper will separate from the bottom and it's difficult to fix it. You will be very happy with this purchase!
Warm Jacket Nice Look
This jacket keeps me warm! Its by far the warmest fleece I have ever owned. Very flattering on also. The sizing was a little different. I have the vest in a small and its a great fit but definitely fitted and Im 5'3" and a 32B. I ended up going with a medium in the jacket and there is PLENTY of room. The jacket is warm enough that you dont need much under it so a small may have been okay but I do like to wear a hoodie under my jackets so decided to keep the medium. It really does look great on...my husband says it looks really good but I think its a little boxy in the shoulder area...he says Im imagining it. The more I wear and wash it the comfier it gets.
There is one thing I really dont like about this jacket and its the piping along the sleeve edge. Its some sort of elastic stuff. My jacket is only a month old and it has a bunch of little pulls all over that part and little string pieces of whatever that material is sticking out.
Overall its a wonderful jacket. Its extremely warm and looks great on. :)
Really wind proof
This is a really good jacket. It blocks the wind way better than I thought it would for it's thickness. I've taken it out in 20 degree weather (with wind chill) and been fine with just a long sleeve underneath. I'm sure it could go lower than 20 degrees with layers. That being said, it isn't too hot when the weather is warmer. I would recommend trying one on at a store before you buy it however, because the fit is a bit weird. I'm slender and usually go with mediums but because of the other reviews went to try it on before I ordered one and was glad I did. I got the large, which is a bit too big around the middle for me, but if I had gotten the medium, the arms would have been too short and it would have been too tight on the shoulders. Also, it isn't a 'fleece'. The outside is still snuggly, but it is a bit rough on the inside (not bad, just don't think it will be like a fleece). That being said, it is an excellent jacket, relatively thin for how well it protects, and I am very happy with it.
Warm and Windproof
I mostly wanted to write a review of this fleece to provide a counterweight to everyone saying to buy a size up. I'm a smaller woman - 5'1", 110lb - and depending on the brand I can wear a number of sizes. After reading a lot of these reviews I was unsure of whether I should get a small or a medium (I wear an XS in other Patagonia stuff I own), but the XS was perfect for the Retro-X as well. This is the first fleece I've ever owned that doesn't make me feel like I'm wearing a lumpy (if cozy) sack. It looks hot! But I'm super glad I tried it on in the store and got the XS. I get a lot of compliments on it. I bought this jacket because I've starting commuting via bike, and I wanted to extend the season in which I could comfortably do that. Every time I go out, I think, "Well if it gets any colder I'll stop biking," but the retro-x has kept me comfortable into low-30's/high-20's temps - even when I've had to scrape the frost off my bike! The windproof aspect is essential for biking. Love this fleece.
New Favorite Jacket!
I am a newcomer to ordering clothing online, but Patagonia has taken the worry out of online buying with respect to size, functionality, and "feel". I love the online live chat feature as it has helped me buy the right garment and the right size every time. I was recommended to consider this fleece jacket when I wanted a lightweight, relatively wind-proof fleece that would work well in temperatures 15-35 degrees. This jacket really hits the mark. It's so warm for something so lightweight, and really IS relatively wind-proof! Another reviewer said he bought it for his wife and she wears it from November 1st to March 1st...so will I! I had no problem with fit. I'm 5' 8" and 125 pounds and the medium is perfect. I can fit a regular shirt under it or even something heavier and it's not too tight. I almost bought the men's small because I was afraid the tapered waist would make it not as roomy as I'd like. Glad I listened to the live chat assistant--fits great and not boxy. The fleece is nice and never pills up after washing. A classic
Unexpected warmth!
I bought this jacket as a fall/spring coat, and have been pleasantly surprised that I am able to even wear it in winter weather!!! It is windproof, and especially warm thanks to the sherpa-like fleece. I absolutely love the color, almost a buttery looking cream color, which goes with any skin tone and anything I'm wearing! I also like the high mock-neck, which is lined with warm and soft sherpa-like fleece. There are a couple of draw-backs for me, but they do not take away from the overall quality/satisfaction of the product. For me, as a taller person with a long torso, it is almost a bit too short. Though the length of the sleeves are just fine, the lower hem of the jacket hits at high hip level, rather than mid-butt, which is what I would have liked more. Also, it's a bit rigid/stiff when it comes to movement, so I wouldn't recommend this jacket for sports. I use it just for going around town and walking outdoors, which suits my needs perfectly. Overall, a good-looking jacket which is incredibly warm.
Must Try On
Alright Ladies, so I found this jacket online and fell in love with it. I was just going to order it online until I saw all of the reviews talking about how different the sizing is for this jacket. So I went to the Patagonia store and tried the jacket on for myself. I feel it my obligation to tell you how the sizing of this jacket works. I am 5'4'' 120 lbs and the small fit me perfectly .. but almost too perfectly - I like a little room. So I tried on the Medium which seemed a little boxy on me, sleeves a little long. It didn't look as fitting on me but I'd like to wear a sweatshirt or thick layer underneath it. The jacket isn't very soft on the inside but I understand it's made this way for a reason; it blocks the wind and keeps you warm. All in all, the sizing for this jacket is tricky so if you have a Patagonia store near you I would definitely recommend trying this jacket on!
the ultimate in fleece jackets!
If you are looking for a windproof fleece jacket that is not only lightweight but nice enough to wear out, look no further! It has been below 0 degrees here and this completely protected me from the cold winds. Its also thin enough that I dont overheat if I wear it inside. What I like most about this jacket is that it is completely lined with mesh which also makes it not staticy unlike their other fleece jackets. It does feel a little stiff but not uncomfortably so. I also agree with others that you might want to size up (especially if you will be wearing thicker layers under it). I like mine snug so I bought it in large (I wear a 12 in tops). I had intended on buying the olallaberry color but when I got to the store, it looked more like a dull brownish berry color rather than the rich wine color I expected it to be. I bought it in black instead.