Friday, December 12, 2014

A Coat of a Different Color

I've mentioned before how much I love coats in the winter. I mean, there's obviously a practical aspect to that - I really love not freezing to death, for example - but they're also an important part of putting together any winter outfit. A good coat doesn't just keep you warm, it makes it easy to feel stylish and pulled together when your nose is running, your cheeks are chapped, and your hair is floating around your head in a staticky haze.
Most of the coats that I own are long and full, and I really needed something shorter for riding my bike. I also get overheated pretty easily, so I wanted something a bit lighter weight.
I'd been searching online for something for a while, but it was hard to find that I both liked and that was in my budget. Coats are obviously workhorse items, and have to be well-made to last through all the constant wear and tear of winter. I don't think that necessarily means they have to be $300+ in order to also be stylish, though.
I popped into Buffalo Exchange, and while I was standing at the register with a cute, black, faux-fur coat, I saw someone pick up and put down something vibrantly green. Green is one of my favorite colors, and I like having something a bit more fun than a black coat in the winter, so of course I had to go investigate.
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I took these the day before I dyed my hair. Bye-bye, brunette!
It really couldn't have been a more perfect find. It's a little lighter than my other coats, but still very warm. I love all the details to it - the collar, the puffed shoulders, the slightly flared, a-line shape, the striking color. And it was only $40!
I thought it looked cute paired with a pencil skirt in a similar color and this golden yellow t-shirt. It's a bit of a casual suiting look, which I thought was fun.
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I took these photos in an alley down the street from my house. The garage behind me is actually covered in ivy, and in the summer it's beautifully green. Although the leaves have died back, the vines criss-crossing the wall behind me are still really interesting looking.
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I've realized that most people don't say anything or even show much interest if you're taking photos in public, but a guy who lived across the street from where I was doing this saw me out his window and asked me if I wanted help. It came as a bit of a surprise, but it was nice to get a positive and helpful reaction to my amateur modeling efforts, rather than the opposite.
My baby blue swing coat or navy military style coat will undoubtedly still be my go-tos when the temperature plummets, but for the mild weather we've had so far, this coat is perfect.

In other news, after a bit of thought, I'm going to be stepping back on my posting efforts, at least through the holidays. While it's fun to post every day and it also pushes me to be creative, I want to make sure that I'm always creating quality content. I'm planning on doing three posts a week, or perhaps four if I have something that I'd really like to talk about. There are some changes in store for 2015, and I want to make sure I'm running a tight ship in preparation.

11 comments:

  1. You look so lovely as always darling. I really like the 1930's/40's look to this whole outfit. That POP of bright yellow is such a welcome surprise. I so have a hard as hell time trying to put colors together. It it's not black/red/white, I'm totally at a loss. Thank you for some inspiration. As much as I'll miss your daily posts, it's good to take a little step back when necessary and I look forward to seeing the changes you'll be making.

    She Knits in Pearls

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    1. Thank you! I'm kind of fussy when it comes to colors, but I always like looking one click over on the color wheel - yellow and green, green and blue, stuff like that.
      I don't think I'm going to be stepping very far back, really, but it seemed like a good idea to focus on making sure every post is an interesting one, rather than forcing them out just to have something up. I think I'll pick it up a bit again once the weather warms up and I have more to write about.

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  2. Agreed through and through. Few things make an outfit feel so harmoniously pulled together and complete as a great topper. In fact, I really have to stop and ponder as to what the summertime equivalent, if there is one, would be. Perhaps a gorgeous pair of shoes or breathtaking hat, but even then, somehow it's just not the same. People (inside and out of the vintage world) often see dressing for the colder months as a real challenge, which I get, but I love that about them actually. You get to play with layers and so many textures. Think outside of the box and finish everything off with an awesome coat or jacket. What's not to enjoy about that?

    This emerald green topper is simply breathtaking - especially with your new ginger locks. I've wanted a coat in this colour for ages and now seeing yours has upped that desire all the more. Come on, thrift store gods! :D

    Big hugs & tons of happy weekend wishes,
    ♥ Jessica

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    1. I was really lucky. It's funny - I was so fixated on just getting a sensible black coat that I didn't even see it until someone else was looking! I'm glad she passed it over, her loss was my gain.
      I totally agree with you that dressing for cold weather is a fun challenge. All those knits and brocades and silks and leathers look so beautiful together! I always end up going a bit barouque this time of year, just because I can pile all the stuff on without overheating.

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  3. Lovely coat. Although black is versatile, of course, other colours are much more fun! I love puff shoulders, they are one of my favourite details!

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    1. Thank you! I was pretty set on black at first (and really, I should probably get a black coat at some point), but this just seemed so much more fun.

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  4. Oo that coat was a good find, such a fabulous colour on you, and that's fortuitious that you had a skirt in the same colour already. I do like the ivy in these shots, it's quite arty! That was nice of the neighbour to offer help, do you do all these photos yourself on a tripod? x

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    1. Yeah, I've got a little tripod. It's not tall enough to stand on it's own, but I can set it up on something handy (I used a trashcan here) or even hang it from things, so it works pretty well. And thank you! I feel like an ambassador from Emerald City.

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  5. The other week a woman passed me as I was taking photos down a quiet side street and yelled at me 'Relax your hand!! He's your friend! (referring to my boyfriend photographer)' - which, let's just say, I didn't find too helpful. I'd rather have had yours!

    This coat is gorgeous - what a find! Suits you to a tee. And I love that last photo with the mirror - beautiful.

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    1. It's so funny when people try to give you advice like that, isn't it? It's like, if you're not Coco Rocha, don't tell me how to pose.
      I love my little compact so much. It makes such a fun prop.

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  6. I like this colour so much, I need to have more of it in my wardrobe!
    You are really classy!

    http://www.nellafragola-vintage-blog.com/

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