I had mixed feelings about this coat at the beginning of the season. It obviously fit. And I've always loved it, but perhaps I have been reading too many style books or something because I struggle with whether it is attractive or appropriate or just dowdy.
I like the elongated double-breasted cut and double breasted jackets have always been good on me. I do love the length, but it is difficult to wear. A shorter coat is easier for the car. It is too long in sloppy weather. I have to hold it up to climb stairs so it would be impossible to wear if I had to take public transportation. I read that long coats make one look dumpy. So what? I love it anyway. I feel glamorous and romantic when I wear it. Do glamorous and romantic go together? Can one be romantic in a tailored double breasted coat?
Now that I think about it, every year I tell myself it is too long, that I should get rid of it, that it is not attractive or practical. And every year I end up wearing it more than I anticipate. After 4 or 5 years it still looks good. Who am I to argue?
Yesterday I put it on because I was wearing a tunic-vest with an asymmetric hem that hung in points below my knees and therefore below the hem of several other coats. This drove me crazy. With this coat the pointy bits were all hidden. With the coat, the look was completely different than without. I liked that.
Most of these items are new. Well most of my wardrobe is new as the old stuff no longer fit, or just looked old, or both.
White turtleneck, Carlisle, is rayon/lycra and several years old.
The striped vest and slim pants were purchased in mid November at a store in Cold Spring called Art to Wear. It was my first solo shopping trip in several years, and I was a bit apprehensive, thinking I wouldn't find much, but I found several pieces and everything I took to the dressing room fit and worked. I've been living in these clothes ever since. Both of these pieces are by a line called Comfy, frankly a name which I would not have sought out as it evokes images of shapeless fleece. But I was wrong. I bought three pieces and I love them all. Truthfully the pants are a bit short on me, but they are slim and warm and work perfectly with boots.
I obsessed about a pair of over-the-knee boots with wrap ties all last year and never bought them. When I saw these in September I realized that this was obviously not just a passing fancy and bought them. I have no regrets.
The earrings are the same ones you saw here.
Obviously I've been fooling myself if I believed my style was "classic".
