Even here in SoCal, the weather turned chilly right before Thanksgiving, so I found myself giving thanks for a cozy item I had for review. The J.Jill marled sweater coat is a full-length, cardigan style sweater in a plush (and surprisingly soft) wool.

Since I have yet to reach 5’3″ on the measuring stick (after 20 years of trying), I have never worn a sweater coat before. It’s always seemed like too much for a petite person, and this one was a bit long for me. Despite that, like all J.Jill items I’ve tried, it’s very well made. The shoulders and body of the sweater are beautifully tailored, avoiding the slightly sloppy look of some sweater coats. It would just work better on someone who’s at least 5’6″.

That said, I certainly enjoyed it. First of all, it’s quite warm; in fact, the only thing currently in my closet that’s warmer is my winter coat. Whenever it actually gets cold here, my house turns into an igloo, so having this sweater coat was crucial during our recent frosty spell. And even though I’m typically sensitive to wool (to the point of not wearing it), this wool is so high-quality that it’s actually soft enough to curl up in.

Also, the marled pattern is lovely– a pretty mix of browns, greys, and creams. It’s a great going-apple-picking-in-New-England kind of look. If I lived in a cold clime and were taller, that’s exactly how I’d wear it, just toss it on over jeans. I Polyvored the following, though, to show you how I wore it while compensating for my (lack of) height.

The J.Jill Marled Sweater Coat retails for $199.

Fashionable Media Review Policy: This item was presented to me, at no cost, by the manufacturer or representing PR agency. My opinion is my own and not influenced by compensation, monetary or otherwise.