coat/parka ideas?

[pinkninky.livejournal.com]

i want to make a coat like this, i want something genuinly warm and long. my question is: instead of down filled (like this coat) what else could i use to keep warm, polar fleece? batting even? i've never made a coat, so this is new to me. has anybody made a similar long coat and can suggest a good pattern to look for? lastly, i haven't decided what fabrics to use in making this (whenever i DO make this), what fabrics are good for withstanding wind? i don't want to use vinyl, nor denim. will the lack of windproofing not be an issue with a good filler? what would you use to make this?

many thanks in advance!

i didn't mean for this thread to become just about the weather. i live between san fran and sac, and it has been cold lately. i get cold if the tempurature is under 80 degrees, and lately at night we've been in the high 30s. so to me, that is much too cold. all i want to do is be warm.