On the hunt for a new vintage winter coat

✯ Day 286 of Vintage 365 ✯

 

Upon waking this morning it struck me that I'm ready for cold weather. For nights that get dark before rush hour, for seeing my breath as the bitingly crisp air greets me in the snowy morns, for mugs of cocoa so big, deep, and warm they could double as hot tubs.

It's easy to idealize springs, summer and fall, but winter - with it's endless snow banks, dangerously icy roads, and mandatory layers of clothing can be a lot trickier to wax poetically about. And yet, here in the midst of a lovely autumn, with the memory of a painfully hot summer still seared into my brain, I cannot help but get a little giddy about the positive elements of the winter that lays ahead of us.

One thing I need (desperately) though before we shake hands with Old Man Winter again, is a cold weather coat. I have toppers to see me through the three warmer seasons of the year, but two years ago my beloved winter coat went to the big closet in the sky - or at least it tried it. Not being able to find a suitable substitute, I pushed it for a couple more winters, but (and believe we when I say it pains me to do this) I know it simply must be retired.

A black, full length, incredibly vintage looking (though I believe it was made in the 80s, based on the font used in the tag and the sizing) princess coat that I bought for $100 (a huge sum to me at the time) at one of my favourite consignment stores when I was eighteen and living on my own in Calgary, this coat saw me through winters in two countries and three provinces. It's long past it's prime though, quite threadbare, has been mended more times than I can count, and is no longer to able to keep out the brutal Canadian chill as well as it should.

While I could pop over to the mall and pick up any old modern coat, that's not not how I roll. I know that I won't find the exact same coat I've worn for nearly a decade again, but - as it was, unquestionably, the best and most beautiful winter coat I've ever owned - I'd like to unearth something similar.

The coat needs to be long and (ideally) fitted, fend of the wrath of winter, contain as little wool as possible (as my skin is terribly allergic to wool), and look (if not actually be) wonderfully 1940s or 50s style. Oh, and it absolutely must not break the bank. If if wants to look like the stunning, incomparably glamorous number below, all the better.

{Gorgeous vintage winter coat from the pages of 1957/1958 Fall Winter Montgomery Ward catalog - don't you just adore the silky fur lining? Image via Touch of Retro on Flickr.}

Ok, in reality, gorgeous as it is, I think the 1950s coat above wouldn't quite pass muster on a freezing cold, wildly winding -30C January morning at the bus stop, but if I was in the market for a more swingy (instead of fitted) winter coat in a timeless hue, that would fit the bill rather nicely.

I've made peace with the fact that I won't be able to replace my beloved black princess coat with an exact duplicate, but as winter draws nearer with each jewel toned leaf that tumbles to the ground, I know that I need to step up the pace of my search and find another coat that I'll (hopefully) adore - and get as much wear out of - as much.

With the clock ticking down and snow probably not that terribly far away at this point (this being Canada after all!), I'm off to start trawling the online waters for a new vintage winter coat that will really ensure I'm properly ready to face the next season when it barges onto the scene.

(If you have any favourite sources for vintage outwear, by all means feel free to let me know in the comments.)

Vintage Deal of the Day: November 4, 2009

{Everything old is new again! This refined yet playfully fun cropped, double breasted jacket looks as though it could have come from the front windows of a dozen trendy clothing stores this season, yet hails back to the golden years of the fifties. Fitting up to a 37 inch bust and a 31 inch waist, this versatile topper would look marvelous over everything from high-waisted pencil skirts to wiggle dresses, and would likely see you through many more autumns to come. 1950s cropped ladies jacket, $34.00 (US), from etsy seller Second Wind Vintage.}


Isn’t it wonderful how trends so often work in circles? Sure there are scads of styles I hope never see the light of day again (sadly most of them – like acid wash jeans and mammoth shoulder pads – already have), but there are others that I would jump through hoops to have return. I keep holding out hope that among about a million other pieces, full skirts, saddle shoes, and beautiful jumper dresses (also with full or dirndl style skirts) will swing back into vogue, but I’m not holding my breath.

Fashion seems to have much more of a love affair with the 80s right now than with the 40s or 50s. Still it’s fun to daydream about suddenly being able to find affordable, well constructed modern versions of our favourite vintage styles. What sort of pieces from yesteryear would you love see reappear and become readily available once more?

Five For Friday {August 28, 2009}

...The weekend draws near, August’s last for nearly twelve more months. Time to savour the best of summer while simultaneously sitting on the edge of your set in anticipation for autumn. Crystal blue skies that will soon house harvest moons, fresh picked berries give way to pumpkin pies, tumbling leaves take the place of end-of-summer roses. Celebrate the next few in-between weeks and all they hold, they’re the gentle parting kiss from summer that will help you forget just how wildly fierce it can be at times...


♥ ♥ ♥


{To ensure you wake up on time for everything from classes to craft fairs this fall}


{First spied on my lovely friend Trains and Sewing Machine’s creative blog, this delightful Crosley alarm clock is thoroughly modern (it boasts a plug for your MP3 playter), but looks fantastically vintage. Plastic and stainless steel alarm clock, $58.00 (US) from Urban Outfitters.}


{To ease you into "coat weather" in the prettiest of vintage styles}


{Darling with high waisted trousers, casual skirts or even atop dresses, this versatile hued topper would look marvelous – and help keep you warm – as we transition into autumn. Cocoa brown, faux fur trimmed coat with a 37” bust and 34” waist, $58.00 (US) from etsy seller The Greedy Seasgul.}


{To capture the essence of any season or scent your heart desires and relive it time and time again}


{From the pages of the stellar (and perpetually inspirational) blog Indie Fixx, comes a comprehensive, thoroughly well constructed article on how to make your own perfume. Sniff out all the beautiful details here.}


{To beat the sizzling summer heat while still cleverly ushering in one of autumn’s most iconic flavours}


{If you love your apple pie ala mode (and really, who doesn’t?), than this recipe, which combines flavours from both of these classic desserts into one, is definitely for you!! Photo from, and recipe for cinnamon apple ice cream on, Tarla Dalal.}


{To keep you cool on toasty nights and then to nestle beneath a glamorous vintage robe when the mercury dips}


{Lace, bows, a gorgeous pale turquoise hue, heart trimming at the hem, what’s not to adore about this absolutely lovely vintage slip that could easily double as a warm weather night gown? 1950s slip with a 42” bust and 30-36” waist, $37.00 (US) from etsy seller Shrinkle.}


Enjoy these final few days of August, my dear readers. Spend time immersed in those season specific pastimes you love, take photos illuminated by deeply golden light while it's still present, and embrace the tail-end of this last full month of summer. I know I certainly will!

Wishing you each a gorgeous and serene weekend!

Cheerful plaid pieces for summer

When I find one thing that catches my eye as a source of inspiration (and/or desire), I’m a happy camper, but when I spot a second very similar item (or photo, etc) within a couple of days, I know I have the makings of a good post :)

Such was the case with the incredibly pretty photo below of Cammila sporting a stunningly beautiful rainbow hued plaid suspender dress (which actually belonged to a 1950s showgirl act called the Holly Sisters at one point, how awesome is that?).


{I am absolutely smitten by how amazing this dress is – and how by stellar Cammila looks in it!}


A day or two later I discovered a really lovely lightweight wool coat that struck me as being much more vintage in cut and composition than most plaid outwear on the market today. Just as cool this coat’s old school feel though, is its amazing price tag of just $15 (US).


{“Golden State Plaid Truffle Coat” from the 15 Dollar Store.}


These two finds set me on the hunt for more happy, punchy hued plaid pieces that would work wonderfully well in any vintage fashion maven’s summer wardrobe, the results of which you’ll find below.

♥ ♥ ♥


{As if the charming, almost beach inspired colours in this versatile plaid top weren’t enough, it’s topped with a super flattering waistline bow for even more summery beauty. $19.80 (US) from Forever 21.}



{These acyclic stretch bracelets are a little punk, a tad rockabilly and totally fun! $21.00 (US) each from alltherangeonline.}



{While there’s no denying this v-neck sundress is very cute from the front, it’s even more adorable from the back thanks to a wonderful, 50s inspired cut-out and bow!. £50.00 (UK pounds) from Oli.}



{I love a lightweight, vibrant purse with a sturdy handle come summer, and these wonderful plaid print numbers – with their wooden handles – fit the bill perfectly. Currently on sale for $19.99 from Chadwicks.}



{Fresh and sweet as a garden full of violet hued blooms, this vintage skirt – which the seller estimates to be from around 1962 – would look wonderful with t-shirts, blouses and cardigans all summer long. $42.00 (US) from etsy seller schmoo 1515.}



{Upbeat and full of blue tones that invoke thoughts of cloud-less skies and lapping ocean waves, this pretty plaid halter top is terrifically redolent of similar 1950s styles. $19.99 (US) from CutesyGirl.}



{The lively hues in this marvelous vintage frock from the 1940s, remind me those you might encounter in an old fashion Jell-O cookbook. $55.00 (US) from esty seller Sass n’ Class Vintage.}



{The chipper, colourful ribbons zip-zagging across this lovely halter neck bathing suit call to mind a Maypole and would make for a wonderful dose of cheer at any beach! $44.50 (US) from dELiAs.}



{These plaid sling-back flats look both positively adorable and very, very comfortable, plus they’re on sale for an incredible price! $7.99 (US) from Chadwicks.}



{This feminine, fun 1950s inspired dress would be just the ticket for any number of summer events, from weekend picnics in the country to evenings spent watching falling stars. $98.00 (US) from Unique Vintage.}


Is plaid a favourite pattern for summer – or any time of the year – for you? It certainly is for me! A few weeks ago I blogged about a terrific plaid shirt that I found after searching for for quite some time for one that didn’t drown me in its pattern. To date it’s still the only plaid piece in my summer wardrobe, but if I could find local shops nearby with well priced pieces like the ones above, I’d be willing to bet that darling top would suddenly have some new plaid siblings to keep it company :)