The hero wanted to buy me a really nice wool coat for Christmas and, in truth, I really needed it. My existing one had expired on several levels:
- It was too big, unless I was wearing a really big jacket underneath.
- The fabric, 100% merino wool, was worn through in several places. Not the lining though. I could stick my finger through the holes in the cuffs.
- Dd, the starving college student, was wearing it more than I.
I was going to show you the two top contenders, but I couldn’t find a picture of the other one. So here is what we bought. $100 at TJMaxx. It is 70% wool, 20% nylon, and 10% cashmere, medium gray in color.
I titled this post “A Single Coat” because if I were to limit myself to one coat, a wool topper-length coat would be the one.
You know, merino wool does not live up to its reputation among some people as very durable. I have had several pair of wool knit pants that have worn thin in spots. I am now not so excited when I spot merino wool garments in thrift stores. I’m not hard on my clothes and I like them to last until I decide to edit them out.
Grey is so versatile in a coat. I had one in a wool blend – long jacket with some
princess shape and a hood just because I’m passionate about hoods and do wear them – no car. I passed it along because I was wearing it so much for the ease of reaching for it and wanted to get more variety out of others I had with definite
different moods. But it is a wonderful foil for accessory colors. I still have a grey but it’s a hazy herringbone tweed in a charcoal. “Pelt” soft as a kitten to touch.
There was a time when I used to wear one coat only and that’s all I owned, for choice, but I wouldn’t be wanting that now. In winter, with no car, that might be
the only “wardrobe” anyone sees me in when I leave the house. So I find I tend to
incorporate trends in the color and/or fabric of the coat. I hadn’t realized that until
stopping to consider here and writing that out.
I have a similar coat in gray, about 5yrs old, from Lands End ( their “walking coat.”) It was a great investment – very versatile.
I’m craving a camel coat. I had one when I was about 12 – purchased by my dad at a small shop in his hometown in the mid 70s. Memories!
Thanks for passing that on, Vildy. I am hoping this blend holds up better. Recently I have noticed that I like the “crispness” of merino wool for sweaters, but I will watch for merino in tailored items that I expect to last.
I agree that in northern climes outerwear is often the major fashion statement.
Polly – thanks for your encouragement! And welcome! Hope you find the perfect camel coat – ans scarf to go with it. 🙂
That’s a great versatile coat!
Just replaced my down puffer. Nearly every female in my city is wearing a puffer and 90% of those are black. They are what you need for this climate: the shell repels sleet and the down fill is warm yet light.
You do see a few wool coats, most of us have one as backup or for dress. In spring we can cast aside our MIchelin tire man look and wear pretty, lightweight wools or trench coats- but that is a good 3 months off.
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