"Max Mara" coat, or, a funny thing happened while I was waiting for the bus...

The bus was late. There was a consignment store by the stop and I nipped in.

There I found this frankly fake, dressy "Max Mara" coat. It has nothing in common with a real Max Mara. More like "Zax Zara" in terms of quality: although the composition is good and the lining is nice and the sewing isn't too bad, the buttons are cheap. Anyway, I put it on. And it was one of those moments when reason flies out the window.

This is a crazy wild card purchase, completely impractical for my Ontario existence but possibly wearable here on the coast. Lightweight wool, poly, with bracelet length sleeves and real, removable fur cuffs.

I have thrown it on over a few things here -- a slightly dressy outfit, and irregular outfit juxtaposition. It works well with the red boots, of course.

So...foolish or crazy like a fox?

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5 years ago

JAileen

Veteran

I think it’s perfect with your hair. Perfect! I like it with the striped skirt.

Sal

Crazy but in a cool and fun way!!

Second hand is the best kind of wildcard too - love it!!

Anonymous

So fun Suz!!!
I love it with the culottes and white booties. So perfect.

Cardiff girl

I LOVE it! Silver vixen or maybe fairytale snow queen definitely.I think we all need a bit of dress up in our wardrobes from time to time.

Jenni NZ

Oh Suz! Fantabulous!
With the silver skirt you look a bit like the Snow Queen. Or a crazy writer, in a fun way. ( You are a writer, right?)

kkards

super fun.....what a lucky find

PS Cardiff girl and I were thinking of Snow Queen independently. I was composing my reply while she submitted and didn't see hers. How cool is that!

Peri

So perfect!

Great minds Jenni!

Suz

(website)

"Snow Queen" -- I love it! Though the coat wouldn't keep me warm in true snow. It's wool, but very lightweight.

Heaven only knows when I will actually wear it.

Mr. Suz rolled his eyes when he saw that I'd made yet another clothing purchase, but turns out he loves it. So I guess it's good for date night.

The Cat

Wow! Love the styling with the skirt and the silver boots.

It was an inexpensive item, so it seems like a reasonable risk.

And now I need elbow length gloves! In red or fuchsia!

jill58

I was going to say the exact thing that Jenni said -- Snow Queen! And Cardiff Girl too!

I WANT THIS COAT.

Jenn

It’s so fun, and the silhouette is fab on you! Have fun with it all winter!

Staysfit

I vote for red elbow length gloves to complete the look! It’s so fun I’m glad you made the purchase.

Inge

Moderator

What a fabulous statement coat!! It really, REALLY, is made for you, Suz, and it looks amazing with everything you've paired it with so far! I looooove it!!!

Runcarla

Standing in line behind Lisa....

Joy

I like it on you and in all your pairings. What fun!

MsMaven

Love it!

Colette

I love it and I would have bought it too! Super fun! Looks really great on you. I bet you’ll wear it more than you think.

Crazy like a fox!!!!!!! Great find. You will wear it well.

So fun what a good find!

krishnidoux

Super cute! But I'll tell you why it was in a consignment on the West Coast...
I'll tell you with a little story:
When I lived in Victoria years ago I was a poor ajunct, single mom, so when winter came around I wore what I could find, and that year it was my deceased grandmother's coat which happened to showcase a hoodie lined with real wool. Handy, I thought, as the harsh ocean wind wiped the coast with its dreery cool metallic raindrops... as Tom Robbins so well puts it (and by the way now that you are there if you haven't read Still Life with Woodpecker I warmly recommend for a complete Seattle grand welcome or simply life-saving clutch to go through the rainy season): "It was autumn, the springtime of death. Rain spattered the rotting leaves, and a wild wind wailed. Death was singing in the shower. Death was happy to be alive".

So. Just to be clear: I was a university adjunct doing my doctorate (=poor, double poor) in literature (triple poor) with a little one to take care of on my own (quadruple poor), and protected myself from the elements with the only alternative to a dreadful parka with no personality previously used by my brother and on the brinks of being too worn out for donation: the only thing I could afford, something that was available for free. It was a bit big -of course, the story of my life- it was meant for someone else but it still fit and it was warm enough.

Here I was, naively walking around with my French grandma symbol of death on my back, and, crossing the streets, making my way around town, I got accosted, pushed, slapped, yelled at by total strangers because I was wearing... CRUELTY! I got verbally abused with no concerns for respect, by people who otherwise looked very respectable themseves.

If your cuffs are removable, you might want to do that. However my story took lace in the early 2000. Maybe now with the advent of faux fur you're safe. Still, I wanr=ted to warn you. This was an aspect of culture shock to me.

Helena

So fun! You wear gray so beautifully.

Elizabeth P

What an amazing find! Esp love it with the culottes.

Alexandra

What a great find! You look fabulous!

Echo

What an amazing, beautiful coat! It looks divine on you, and it was an excellent purchase. As far as fur goes, attitudes have changed - at least in the US. Both real and fake fur are common in larger cities and there are very few incidents of people being harassed any longer. Additionally, with it only being the cuffs, it is doubtful anyone would target you/the coat anyway.

Column

Oh, you adorable thing, you! With the collar UP, of course.

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