Oooh, Kristen, wish I were there with you!! Kenneth Cole coat sounds yummy :)

Let me know how the shoes/boots turn out!

ROFL at my horrible spelling and grammar! That's what I get for typing fast on my iPhone.

Okay, I am back with a better report. The Woodfield store is much, much bigger and spread out that OO, and even if they didn't have much better a selection in the NAS shoes, their shoe department was just much bigger and better in general.

I did try on a few more pieces but I didn't order anything. I think there are 3 pieces that I want to get, but I need a second opinion before I get them.

The Kenneth Cole NY brown leather trench, from pg. 4 of the catalog. This was stunning on, the fit was great, and I loved the buckle detail in the back as well.
http://catalogs.shoplocal.com/.....arid=15193

http://www.flickr.com/photos/k.....361224004/
(Hee, the expression on my and the salesgirl's faces are priceless!)

Unbuttoned:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/k.....361224004/

I think this could be a good investment piece for me; a moto has a 2-day life span for me (weekends only), but a long leather could take me through everyday all fall and spring in Chicago. What do you think?

This Trina Turk dress was stunning, but it didn't feel like "me".
http://www.flickr.com/photos/k.....361224004/

I LOVED this when I saw Angie wear it, and it wasn't something I had seen at OO or in the catalog. They didn't have a 10, only an 8, but I think I could get so much mileage out of this skirt.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/k.....361224004/

Ignore the purple top above; it's much too big and the style is not good. I did really like this white buttondown, though. And I don't have a single one of them!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/k.....361224004/

I think the jacket and the skirt is a yes. I think.

The leather coat is indeed stunning! I love that skirt too. The white shirt looks like it could be a bit big on you. Can you try it in a smaller size?

Joy, I was having the same thought! I think the shirt a size smaller and the skirt a size bigger, and they may both work.

I am still dreaming about that coat, which is a sign it might be the one. A trench-length leather...that might work very well here in the Windy City. Thinking back on my too-big coats, I usually reached for the longer ones anyway; I do like the look of motos and shorter leather jackets, but they have so little use in my life...

Oh boy, I am really dithering on this. I know it's on major sale, but $260 for a coat is a lot of clams! I just get nervous about big-ticket purchases like this. You should have seen my panic when I bought my first Coach purse! :)

Plus, what color boots would I then get? Hmmm.

LOVE the coat!!! And, I think $260 is a steal for it!! What are you waiting for? :) You will be drooling & dreaming over it later if you don't. I know I would be anyway...

The leather coat is KILLER. A retro 70’s statement piece that will not date. Come on! It doesn't get better than that! *Can* be edgy. I think it's a great price too. I tried it on to get a feel for drape, fit and quality and was very impressed. It’s a keeper. No doubts!

With a thumbs-up from Angie -- and constant daydreaming about it on my own -- how could I possibly walk away from it? :) You've all convinced me, I will get it.

Boots and a purse will be the next plan of attack, but I've got plenty of time for that.

Thanks all!

Excellent Kristen! We couldn't let you walk away from such a fantastic coat!! I also really love the skirt, and I adore that purple top too.

How great that you and Laura got to shop together!!

Angie, if you don't mind, I'd love to hear how to bring more edge to a coat like this.

Boots: to contrast the smoothness of the beautiful leather, I'd personally try pairing the coat with either suede or buckskin boots or a distressed leather and some sort of detailing (buckles, stitch detailing, cuffs, slouchy boots...).
Colours: black, cream, sand, red, the right kind of grey perhaps, a moss or petrol green, burgundy, the right shade of purple would be gorgeous too...

My mom had a leather trench very similar to this in the 70s so I can vouch for its true retro vibe. I'd say a silk scarf might be in order, maybe cream with some interesting fall colors ...

Examples:

http://www.zappos.com/product/7334556/color/108793

http://www.zappos.com/product/7467057/color/171108

http://www.zappos.com/product/7427805/color/50263

http://www.zappos.com/product/7448143/color/2123

http://www.zappos.com/product/7343641/color/19891

http://www.zappos.com/product/7251680/color/20

http://www.zappos.com/product/7346713/color/72

http://www.zappos.com/product/7437251/color/161504

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/29.....95&P=1

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/29.....95&P=3

http://tinyurl.com/ks48lo

http://tinyurl.com/lodqyk

Yeah! I'm glad you're going for the jacket, Kristen. That price is a steal! You won't have any regrets.

Laura, wouldn't you know, I JUST bought a pretty cream and red rose silk scarf at the J Crew Outlet that I think will be perfect with it? What a coincidence! (Hee, I guess it is a 70s look. I hadn't thought of it like that, but it's true. MY male coworker just commented this morning on my boyfriend cardigan, calling it a 70s look come back.)

Oooooooh, Inge, you are a GENIUS with the colors! And all those links -- looking at that crinkle red patent La Canadienne reminded me that I bought a pair of slick patent waterproof lined LCs in a yummy plum/burgundy on last-chance clearance last spring ($69 for a $270 boot, huzzah). I haven't even taken them out of the box, I've been waiting for the fall! They will be PERFECT with the jacket, for sure.

I am mad for the idea of a moss or olive green bag now. I'll have to check in with my BFF who works at Coach, see what they will be bringing out for the fall. I've been toying with the idea of one major-purchase new purse this fall/winter, and one in a striking color. I've got a brown and a black already, I need one more to round out the collection.