Recently in Coats Category

I came across COS while I was walking around Munich's town center. I had never heard of the boutique before and was surprised at the mild prices (most everything is under 129 euros), given the quality of the materials used. The bi-level store was choke-full of monochromatic pieces that appeared simple, but had small details (exposed zippers, ruching, cowl neck...) for both men and women making for great staples; kind of like a frugal Ports 1961, no? When I paid for my buys I asked the sales woman about the line and she told me that it actually is owned by H&M! So far boutiques are only in select European countries (Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, United Kingdom), but hopefully they will roll out in the U.S. soon!

All the attention Kate Moss has gotten for sporting some gray streaks aside, her looks that seem to consistently draw the most attention involve leopard. Above on the left is photo of the Pencey High Collar Coat ($380) which looks like it could have been plucked out of Moss' closet. She has worn leopard coats, jackets, and separates on more occasions than I could count and like most of what she wears I want to run right out and get one for myself! Unfortunately while Moss pulls off the looks effortlessly, I look like I'm about to go work a street corner or in the midst of getting ready for a costume party every time I try on a leopard jacket. Plus I can't help but feel like an imitator because -- at least in my mind -- I think leopard I think Moss. So, alas, I shall remain leopard-less (at least if you ignore the lining of my Dolce&Gabbana shoes, bags, and a few bras:-) )

What do you think about Kate Moss-inspired leopard? Snob or Slob?

I understand taking risks in fashion is sometimes necessary to reach a new style horizon and that avant-guard fashion can be really cool. But at the end of the day I hope fashion is about flattering the human form and not the other way around. Take this Maison Martin Margiella trench cape for example--we all know that the past season is about the exaggerated shoulders but this coat with the filmsy slanted shoulder flaps reminds me of a defeated samurai warrior. I mean can you imagine wearing this in a crowded elevator or train? "Un, excuse me miss, your right shoulder flap is in my face" "Do you mind folding your flaps so we can squeeze one more into the elevator?" Personally I find the saumrai warrior custome ($60.88 at wondercostume.com) more musculine and dare I say "stylish" in a Modonna S&M kinda way, but if you find yourself purchaseing this $1155 trench cape, you migth consider getting the sword to match for the extra "umph" factor. Maison Martin Margiella trench cape available at ssense.com.

Doesn't this Georgette Petal Coat ($5,980) look way more Moschino than Jason Wu? I guess it serves as a reminder that Wu has (pre-Mrs.O), dressed Ru Paul on a number of occasions! Few and far between are the women who could actually pull off such a coat and not look like something off a centerpiece at a Bar Mitzvah (especially since the petals create lots of extra bulk). That said the craftsmanship and detail on this coat are extraordinary, so it's a shame that the petals weren't kept more minimal -- say only on the sleeves or shoulders.

What do you think about this Wu coat? Snob or Slob?

Narcisco Rodrigues is launching his first online shop on Feb 15th-- this is really exciting news because it is actually a lower priced version of his castle collection. This is a collaboration with eBay, which he says will be like having one's own boutique, except it's on, er, eBay. Hey not judging. I'm known to troll eBay on late Saturday nights after a few glasses of wine. Things look prettier after a bit of vino ;) The eight-piece spring collection includes matte jersey dresses and a denim suit priced from $75 for a T-shirt to $350 for the reversible cotton coat.
Source: wwd

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's Batman! No wait it's just Bess' Alpaca wool hooded cape (£730)! I'm all about capes, but I don't like how this one is cut shorter in the front because it makes it look like a superhero costume. Though it's not a cape, there's a similar piece to this Bess number at -- believe it or not -- Walmart. Norma Kamali has designed a fab cardigan for $18. It's super cozy...I literally wear one (my mother and I both bought the cardigan in all five of the colors it's sold in!) over my tee every time I go to the gym. That said while the Kamali piece is comfy, I imagine it's not nearly as soft as the alpaca wool that this cape comes in, but that doesn't make-up for the design.

What do you think about this cape? Snob or Slob?

Remember those old school TVs that would go blank sometimes for "tests" and have color-blocked colors pop-up on on the screen? Doesn't this Jeremy Scott jacket kind of look like it?? I'm guessing Scott was indeed inspired by that screen because this brightly-colored number that Gwen Stefani was spotted in (pictured above with her son Kingston in London), is called the Jeremy Scott for adidas Originals by Originals Collection TV Down Jacket. I've long admired Jeremy Scott original designs (though he's still my #2 quirky fave after JC/DC) and I think Gwen totally pulls this piece off. It's certainly not for everyone, but I could see myself wearing this - no better way to get over the winter blues than with something fun and colorful (just pair it with something simple and black like Gwen!).

I have had a gray obsession for years. It's a softer alternative to black and is always so chic and pretty.  I especially love wearing tonal gray shades together; it gives your outfit depth and keeps it from looking blah or depressing cuz let's face it, gray is not the most cheerful of shades!  Gray is sophisticated with silver jewels but with gold it is stunning and unexpected.  To add a bit of gray to your wardrobe, I found a few of my favorite grays of the season.  Starting clockwise from the left:
Dacute Light shearling jacket $1295

Rebecca Taylor The Socialite satin dress $295

Preen Line Asymmetric cotton trench $690

Lee Angel Serena glass-pearl necklace $285

Pringle of Scotland Rabbit-trim cashmere scarf $1350

Adam Woven jersey sweater $275

7 for all mankind Roxanne corduroy skinny jeans $180

Milly Jersey long-sleeved dress $395

Brian Atwood New Davis suede boots $1475

3.1 Phillip Lim Silk eyelet-embellished dress $525

Juicy Couture Sequin-embellished sweater $200

We can't get enough of the tailored coats from Mackage-- it's always hard when choosing a coat; do you want to be warm?  Or do you want to look fierce!?  With Mackage form does not trump function so there is no dilemma.  I'm just upset that it never gets cold enough to justify more than one coat each winter in Dallas.  If you're in NYC, however, you'll need a few to get you through the blistering wintery months.  Stock up on fabulous coats at the Mackage SoHo pop-up boutique:

148 Spring Street (between Broadway and Wooster)

Open starting Sunday, November 15 through the month of December.
11Am-8PM Monday-Saturday
12PM-8PM Sunday

In case you are no where near the city, you can shop for Mackage coats at Saks.com here.

It's so exciting to discover new designers but Marie Saint Pierre is hardly 'new'. She's been a visionary of the Canadian fashion scene for over 21 years now and is wildly popular in both Europe and Asia-- no idea why the US has not caught on but I aim to change that! I discovered her gorgeous, couture-like pieces at Takashimaya-- the cooler than thou specialty department store in NYC. The minute I put on her shredded black vest (silk taffeta hand cut to look like feathers -- animal friendly but gives you the look of fur without the stink or the bulk!) I was in love. It was quite reasonable given the work put into it-- $795. I also picked up a long crinkle silk taffeta wrap coat/dress. It's lightweight and fits like a dream! The perfect solution for warm evenings. It's also $795 but looks like it cost thousands! Hurry over to Takashimaya and ask for Estefania to show you all the Marie Saint Pierre pieces (or just call her at 800-753-2038 to order!)