Canada Goose Review and Try-On: Shelburne vs. Rossclair

I’ve had my eye on Canada Goose coats for a while. The signature coyote fur hood, the red, white and blue patch… the coats are definitely showy, but make a statement nonetheless.

I’ve made do with hip-length down coats from the likes of Helly Hansen and Patagonia over the years. I would not have survived freezing cold winters in Kent, Connecticut without them, and they are my favorite to ski in because they provide warmth while still allowing ample mobility. However, now that I’m a bit older, I needed a coat that would cover past my hips and keep me warm when out and about during the winter. After a tough couple of weeks and serious burnout at work, I decided to do a little retail therapy and buy myself a Canada Goose jacket.

I’m the type of person where once I decide I want something, I have to purchase it – like, right that second. Much to my dismay, it turned out late January (and right before a polar vortex) was not the best time to be buying a coat from a brand in such high demand. I first ordered a Canada Goose Trillium from Tuckernuck in a size XS. After scouring the internet for a coat in my typical size small to no avail, I ordered from Tuckernuck because I trust the company and knew it would arrive quickly.

Unfortunately, it was a bit too small for my broad shoulders. I then ordered a Rossclair from Neiman Marcus. It was on backorder and wasn’t supposed to arrive until Valentine’s Day. So, when I saw Canada Goose had restocked my favorite Shelburne parka, I ordered it immediately. The Shelburne came first, and I’ll admit that I wore it for a few days with the tags still on it in case the Rossclair came and I liked it more! After a few days, though, I fell in love with it – it kept me warm all the way down to my knees even in freezing cold New England weather.

The Rossclair ended up shipping earlier than I anticipated, and while I decided to keep the Shelburne, I figured I would share a comparison with you. It was helpful for me to look at other people wearing their coats and see what they had to say about them when deciding which one I would purchase.

The Rossclair

The Rossclair is a mid-length parka with a slim fit.  It has a drawcord on the inside so the waist can be tightened for a more hourglass shape. The hem is somewhat of a high-low hem – the back is a bit longer and features a zipper down the center so the bottom of the back can be split and expanded for a greater range of motion.

The fur ruff on the Rossclair’s hood includes a shaping wire so you can fit the fur to your desired look. The hood is also removable. One of the best features on this style, in my opinion, is its pockets. The exterior pockets have a slip pocket on either side as well as a closable snap pocket. This is a nice addition to keep things securely stowed.

The main reason I did not choose the Rossclair is due to the buttons on the front. I wanted something a bit more plain, and the Shelburne does not have the buttons.

The Rossclair parka retails for $950. I was able to get $95 back when purchasing this coat from Neiman Marcus thanks to Ebates, which offers 10% cash back on purchases from Neiman Marcus. Sign up for Ebates here and add the extension to your browser! (Not an ad – I always thought Ebates was gimmicky until I tried it but it really does help me save whenever I shop online).

The Shelburne

The Shelburne is the first coat I received that fit and the one I ultimately chose to keep. I ordered this directly from Canada Goose, so, unfortunately, no cash back. This was one of the first coats that caught my eye. The quilting on it reminds me of my Patagonia and Helly Hansen puffer coats but is very subtle. I like the slim silhouette and feel as though it’s sleeker than the Rossclair.

The Shelburne is a thigh-length coat and hits me just above the knees. Like the Rossclair, the hood is adjustable (with both a shaping wire and adjustable strap) and removable. It has snaps at the cuffs to adjust your fit and snaps along the zipper rather than buttons like the Rossclair, which I prefer. This coat does not have a drawcord at the waist, but because it is a slim fit I think it still looks okay.

One downfall of this coat is that there is only one slip pocket on either side. They have snap closures, but no covered pockets like the Rossclair does. However, because I liked this style more, I decided the pockets were something I could sacrifice.

The Shelburne parka also retails for $950. I really don’t think you can go wrong with either! Canada Goose coats are certainly investment pieces, so make sure you choose the right size and don’t be afraid of a little trial and error. If you’re spending nearly $1000 on a coat, you want it to fit and be the exact style you want.

Canada Goose doesn’t really go on sale. Sign up for Ebates or wait for one of the authorized retailers to have a sale (if CG isn’t excluded from the promotion) to save money. You’re best off waiting for late summer to shop as the brand restocks its coats in stores just before fall. Don’t be like me and decide you have to have one right before a major cold front!

Note: Yes, I am aware Canada Goose uses real fur and feathers in their products. This is the one real fur product I own. Please do not comment regarding animal cruelty as your comments will be deleted.