(Sadly, necessitating the re-run of this post was getting the heavy winter boot – in the behind – from Eddie Bauer. That’s right, no longer can you contribute to my “never have to re-enter the paid work force” fund by buying through Eddie Bauer links on the blog. In fact, the links were only permissible because of the affiliate relationship and have now been removed.)
In my lifestyle segmentation pie chart, only two slices are really worth serving: casual and leisure. Living in a region with four distinct seasons requires more coats, to my practical mind, than would seem necessary. But they are.
Here’s the run-down:
- Casual winter coat: If I could only afford one coat, it would have to be a topper-length wool. And if I could only afford one coat, it would have to fit better than mine does. HOWEVER, this coat fits perfectly over a wool suit or a velvet blazer, which makes it perfect to throw on over smart casual winter ensembles or for church.
- Leisure winter coat = a puffy down jacket. Primarily worn for sledding and dog-walking, I am currently using a black one (for which I paid a single dollar), which will naturally be replaced when I happen on something in a great color.
- Casual spring: even though it isn’t a spring color, I will have to wear my new sateen trench.
- Leisure spring: the pink puffy thing pictured back here?
- Casual summer: All summer long I carry a cardigan around in my purse. Comes in handy at restaurants, the grocery store, basically anywhere air-conditioned.
- Leisure summer:
a white jean jacket. What else?Something else. Now’s not the time to think about it, though. (I do have a windbreaker, in case I go to the beach with my parents.) - Autumn casual: Again, the wine sateen trench.
- Autumn leisure: the burgundy quilted pictured here. I also wear a chamois washable suede jean jacket.
One little hiccup in my system: what color gloves, etc., to buy. For the most part my coats are all similar colors: burgundy, wine, aubergine. My purse is that color too, as are most of my shoes. Perhaps I have painted myself into a comfortably colored corner. What color gloves would you suggest?
I have more coats than blazers. But like you here in Ottawa we have a climate that features wildly different temperatures. The coat for waiting at the bus stop at -40 is different from the one for freezing rain, or the one for gentle snow, at least one that qualifies for dressy occasions … and it goes on.
The jacket you’ve pictured is very interesting — but also not me.
Which reminds me of what a friend of mine, originally from Canada, had told me about people up there. She said that the coat is the main fashion statement of the outfit, and whatever is under not so much.
Obviously I am still working on this one. Coats being what they are, it can take years to build a wardrobe for a northern region.
I think that may be true for some and not for others.
And on the -40 days all fashion takes a back seat to warmth. At least amongst the sane.
I went to Toronto by train last February. I joked with a friend that you could tell the Torontonians from the Ottawans in the station. Those from TO were wearing leather jackets. We were wearing faux fur, parkas, and bulkier gear.
I adore aubergine, plum, wine, all those colors. Color for gloves that *I* would pick: apple green! Next choices: lavender or some shade of purple, then hot pink or lighter pink.
I suppose dark colors are more practical for gloves…. a good neutral might be any shade of grey.
PS. what kind of gloves do you prefer… knit & cozy, or leather, or….?
I don’t regularly wear gloves here but I keep an old pair of black knit ones stuffed in the pockets of my black wool coat, and occasionally put them on.
I’d say green or teal gloves, but I have been accused in the past of dressing like The Joker, so you may wish to take my advice with a grain of salt.
grey.
I need gloves daily. Leather is best, or at least some leather on the fingers and palms – in order to grip the steering wheel. They do get dirty. I found a pair that would be really pretty with, but they were like an antique ivory (kinda the color of my hair – lol). Plus they were like $40 or $50, at TJMaxx!
How about a dark silvery grey for the gloves? I like the idea of apple green too.
And did you notice… the woman you snapped the picture of in the store, with the awesome haircut? Did you notice her haircut is almost exactly what you posted yesterday? I think you’ve gotta do it!
You’re not going to like this–mustard colored gloves. Since you won’t like that, I am offering a nice alternative for the aubergine accessories: turquoise leather gloves and warm, texurey scarf. You can wear turquoise up by your face very well.
I found a gray pair that I liked at TJMaxx too, but they were in the same price range ($40 or $50). Too much.
Beth, yes I noticed the similarity. But I’m not going to do the long bangs thing. It’s just not me. I have one other picture in mind that I’ve seen recently, of a similar cut but with shorter bangs. Now if only I can remember where I saw it.
Karen – lol. You never know, I might be able to find gloves in one of those colors. But your point about the scarf is good: I think if I have gloves in an accent color, I’ll need to repeat the color.
Which takes me back to the color of my hair. Then I don’t have to add another item to be complete (although I could if I wanted to). 😉