My search for the perfect coat…and... to cape or not to cape?

halong-coat

velvet-cape

velvet-coat

puffer

trench

huesca

It was really cold in London a few weeks ago and I found myself googling winter coats with increasingly regularity. Turns out it was timely research as this morning the chilliness was back.

I’m not really a coat girl. I have a big, warm “going-out” coat, that I bought from Max Mara about ten years ago, which is still going strong, but it is a bit glam for the day – even for me.

I seem to get through the winter with a variety of jackets, scarves and big woolly sweaters. But my everyday blazer is just not cutting it and whilst I am leather jacket obsessed, I feel like I need another option this winter.

So I decided I was in the market for a new coat and here's what I have found so far: 

1. Haider Ackermann houndstooth long coat (available from www.matchesfashion.com)

I tend to steer clear of coloured coats but this is unbelievably gorgeous.

As I have mentioned a few times before - Haider Ackermann cannot put a foot wrong in my eyes this season…so having seen this coat I had to try.

The price tag is "gulp worthy" (I don't know if gulp worthy is an actual phrase, but I'm sure you understand my meaning)....but it doesn’t cost to try :)

I had really high expectations when I tried this on. But instead of feeling like a million dollars, I looked like a small child trying on a grown up’s coat.

If you have the budget, it is stunning – but I think you have to be tall for this one, it is quite fitted too. 

2. Anna Sui black velvet cape (available from www.net-a-porter.com)

This is the second winter I have been eyeing up capes. I adore the idea but I am slightly worried I will look more “Little red riding hood” than "Cool fashionista" but I can get past that!

I have tried this cape but it’s not quite for me - firstly because I'd like armholes and secondly it is just not warm enough. Cosy is important for me…so my search continues... 

3. Haider Ackermann velvet coat (Runway look from Haider Ackermann AW2016)

I know this obsession with Haider Ackermann is getting ridiculous but look at how sumptuous the red velvet is! I was reticent about all the velvet around this season as I did velvet with great gusto when I was about 16 but it is a gorgeously tactile fabric.

I haven't tried this coat, but I fear it would fit me similarly to the Haider Ackermann houndstooth coat. 

4. Topshop puffer jacket (available from www.Topshop.com)

I read somewhere that puffers are back - I didn’t really think they had ever gone away?

I have always steered clear of a puffer, mainly because this would be my kids' go-to choice and this look is a bit sporty and street for me. But if I did, I'd go for something like this from Topshop, with a faux-fur trimmed hood. Best of all - it's machine washable and you've got to love that. 

5. Zara water resistant trench coat (available from www.Zara.com)

I love a trench coat. To me, they combine practicality with an air of sophistication and this is a gorgeous example from Zara.

I have a mate who has a number (!) of the classic Burberry trench coats and totally rocks them…but they are not for me and I haven't really worked out why. 

6. The Huesca coat from S Max Mara (available from www.matchesfashion.com)

So whilst I am still looking for my perfect cape, I saw this a few weeks ago. This coat is faux-astrakhan (actually acrylic, cotton and polyester). It's glamorous with a vintage feel. It also has 3/4 length sleeves which I adore. Not sure I look as cool as the model in the picture but the minute I tried this on, I knew it was me...job done...for now :)

Hold the phone! My hunt for the perfect pair of trousers has begun...

(Haider Ackermann - runway look from AW 2016)

Why is this a headline in my world, you may ask? Well I rarely wear trousers - I’m a definite dress/skirt girl, I always have been.

So jeans for instance don’t feature in my wardrobe. In fact, I shocked a mate on Friday by telling her I don’t own any jeans – she looked totally confused!!I have of course worn jeans in the past – but fashion and style choices, to me, are all about feeling great in whatever you’re wearing – and I don’t really feel my best in jeans - so I have phased them out of my wardrobe.

In my head, trousers are predominantly for the long and lean – and sadly I am neither.

There are however, two exceptions that I own. Firstly two pairs of Helmut Lang Reflex leggings that I have had for quite a few years (I think Helmut Lang still do them, check out www.helmutlang.com). These leggings are so comfy and don’t look like your typical leggings as they are straight at the ankle.

The second exception is a pair of Frame leather trousers, because…well…who doesn’t like a bit of leather in their wardrobe?!However, this Autumn/Winter unusually there are a number of trouser styles catching my eye.

So my thinking is this - the beauty of fashion is there really is something for everyone and as someone who is passionate about fashion, I shouldn’t really be so narrow-minded.

So, my search has begun and here are some faves so far:

1. Tailored trousers.

Jason Lloyd-Evans

(Saint Laurent look from AW2016/17)

Hands down my favourite trend is the androgynous look, so I have been looking at a lot of tailored trousers. Nowadays, tailoring has been reworked to look so sexy, in my opinion. And top of the list for me are a beautiful burgundy pair of Haider Ackermann tapered trousers and some black Saint Laurent satin trimmed slim leg trousers.

2. Culottes.

culottes

(Roksanda: Jupe silk-crepe culottes available at Outnet.com)

I know a few people who wore culottes as part of their school uniform so they might be steering clear - but right now culottes are looking chic. My faves are the ones that look really fluid and more like a skirt, Tibi do this really well. But are culottes that look like a skirt a cope out??

3. Wide leg trousers.

zara

(Zara: checked wide leg trousers available at Zara.com)

The appeal here is definitely fluidity of fabric, and I have seen some lovely Ganni wide legged trousers. I don't think I could go for anything where the fabric was too heavy or stiff but I fear I may be too short for this trend. But then again, with heels could I make these work?!Whenever I buy clothes I was focus on fit and fabric above all else so I guess I just need to apply this to trousers…Right, I'm off to do some more research, but if you have found the "must have" pair of trousers, give me shout :) 

How do you justify the cost of clothes in that “I just have to have it” moment?

Picture this – you’re out shopping with your mates and you see a piece of clothing in your peripheral vision, you make a bee-line for it – touch it, hold it up to you and check the price tag. You’re thinking, “I’ll just try it on to satisfy my curiosity”. This is fatal, especially if you have chosen well and it fits like it was made for you. Your mates, the shop assistant all chorus, “You look so good in that, you have to have it.”

At this moment, maybe like me you turn into a fashion schizophrenic. One part of my brain is telling me I don’t need this (let’s say for instance) dress. I begin mentally scouring my wardrobe for something similar. I have had to cultivate this habit. My default position is “I love this, it’s so versatile, I can dress it up and dress it down, it’ll never date…” and so it goes on. I have already bought it, paying is merely a formality.

I used to be a true clothes shopping addict – no justifications, impulse buys, coming home with something very similar to another thing I have already and feeling slightly peer pressured into buying something slightly out of my budget and sticking it on my credit card.

Nowadays, I am more discerning. Generally if I find something I love that’s expensive I will look on the high street for something similar. A case in point is this gorgeous Zara green silk shirt I bought a few weeks ago.

Photo taken from Zara.com

It is £39.99 as opposed to a Raquel Allegra one (which isn’t silk) around at the moment, retailing at £318 – which also looks lovely. The problem with "high street" brands these days though is the prices have been steadily creeping up and so aren't always the cheap option. I saw a couple of dresses on the Topshop site for £600 yesterday. Not what I expected, but price point may be another blog post.

So my justification list is broadly this:

1. Fabric. This is really important to me. Silk and cotton always win, I struggle to pay a lot for polyester.

2. Workmanship/lining. I know a few amazing seamstresses and used to make clothes myself when I was a teenager, so finishing off a piece of clothing well is vital.

3. Is it going to stand the test of time? I will admit I have a lot of clothes, but I still pull out things I bought ten years ago and they haven’t dated.

4. Do I really love it?

5. Does it fit me perfectly?

I know we all have budgets, and we all go through phases of “being good” and not shopping (this was me in January and February) and then having the odd splurge on something we can’t resist. So, when you see something you love, how do you justify the cost?

PS: Last I tweeted the top picture, a beautiful Dolce and Gabbana dress. Those of you who know me will suspect I succumbed. I did. Old habits die hard; it’s on my credit card…Sssshh!