As soon as you stop looking... - YouLookFab Forum

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As soon as you stop looking...

rae

(website)

Veteran

...it falls right in your lap.

I just instated SYC last night. This morning, the Madewell trench's rich cousin, the J. Crew Icon trench in burnt caramel, was staring me in the face on my Ebay search list and seemed to address all the issues I fussed about with the other. The back is more tailored, the lining is slick, the color is a bit warmer, and when I emailed the seller she offered to ship for free and ship today, even though those things weren't in the description and I didn't ask.

So, I KNOW you are all sick and tired of my tales from the trenches by now, so I'm sorry to keep yacking, but it was too cliche for me not to mention it. Has this ever happened to you? As soon as you swear you've given up... bingo bongo?

(For anyone who is still following the trench coat saga, here are the stats:
- Keeping the Scottvest for sure & wearing for travel
- Red Talbots trench is coming as dressy contender (too late to cancel, but I'm curious anyway)
- Citron trench is out of running for the dressy category - just too big.
- J. Crew is the other dressy contender and should be here in just a couple of days)

Shopping

21 replies

Latest reply was from ManidipaM

cinnamon fern

Veteran

I'm glad the trench saga continues, I've been enjoying it and learning from it. So far I'm considering the Gallery trench.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Serendipitous for sure. I like when things happen this way, personally. It's like the cliche about when you quit searching for love, it finds you. I can't wait to see the eBay score.

K. Period.

Veteran

I totally know what you mean! Yesterday, I finally made the decision to put my beautiful, but not right for me, red wool BCBG jacket in the "find a better home" pile. The shape was fun, with its round non-collar. The black glossy buttons were adorable. The red was just right. It was a little short, though. And the fit through the chest and the shoulders just wasn't right, no matter how I considered altering it. Even though I loved it, I'd probably only worn it five times in the last two years. I knew we weren't really meant for each other, no matter how hard we tried to make it work.

So, I let it go.

Today? I walked into BR with my 50% off 5 coupon and there, waiting for me, was a slightly longer, slightly leaner, in petites perfectly proportioned, red jacket with its round non-collar and glossy black buttons. Seriously. And 50% off. So yes, I do believe in Santa Clause. Errr, I mean fate helping you find your new love when you've given up looking.

PS: I can't wait for you to post pictures of the new trench once it arrives!

Jem

Veteran

Yay, I hope this is the perfect one! I can't wait to see it!

Meredith1953

Veteran

Rae,
We all like seeing you in pursuit of the holy grail...the perfect trench. Don't settle for less than what you want and leave not stone un-turned!

rae

(website)

Veteran

Cinnamon, I'm glad this process is helpful to you, too! I am learning a lot about fit, tailoring, waterproofing, collar-popping, and belt-tying - which is why I do keep posting even though sometimes I feel like I'm beating a dead horse.

Mo, it's is a thrill this way - like it was meant to be.

K, what a great story - thanks for sharing! I guess sometimes the near-misses do the job of pointing out the design elements that just don't work so that we can make the perfect choice next time. Your new jacket sounds just beautiful - would love to see it!

Meredith, that is exactly my goal right now. I want my purchases to make me happy every time I put them on, rather than just acting like utilities.

christieanne

Veteran

It may be fate

Louise

Veteran

I believe in wardrobe fate and frequently find exactly what I've been looking for when I've given up hope. Hope your new trench works out x

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Maybe you need to SYB, besides how could you possibly not purchase clothing whilst in Italy?

Jilly

I think I've seen pics of all your trenchcoats - I'm still batting for Team Red!

taylor

Veteran

Isn't it always the way!
You must give it a shot...these things cannot be compromised...we must find the best trench for your trip!

rae

(website)

Veteran

RoseandJoan, I think I may remove Italy from the equation as a separate entity - kind of like "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas," but for Italy and shopping.

Jilly, you make it sound like a sporting event - love it! Red was the answer for my casual wardrobe, so the same may be true here.

Taylor, the Scottvest is going on the trip with me. Now I'm going for a "dress" coat that is tailored and sleek for work.

The good news is that this process made me realize that my raincoats are pretty superfluous for my lifestyle, so I can resell them and offset a bit of the costs. I'll be an Ebay fiend when I get home!

velvetychocolate

Veteran

Well, I am looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the J. Crew trench and the Talbots trench as well.

I love the colour of the citron trench on you and I also really like the Scottvest paprika-coloured one as well. Ack!

Thing is - I'm *so* impressed at your persistence, and I'm learning a lot from your 'in the trenches' series of posts lately. Reminds me of spending tons of time looking for just the right patio furniture - weeks and weeks, and finding just the right thing. It's not always just a matter of budget, but rather - hanging in there and finding something wonderful. The more you look, the more you know and sometimes its almost like a bit of a treasure hunt.

I'm terrible at just buying stuff because I need it, and I need it now, rather than taking the time to really look and try things out first. I know you're looking for a good spring trench in time for your trip and admire the fact that you are *still* putting in the effort to find just the right thing, despite the fact that you're in a bit of a hurry to get something.

You're much better at this than I am - if it was me, I'd be looking for a trench three days before I had to leave and just buying the first thing that was good enough. I'd like to get better at this sort of thing, and seeing you suss out just the right trench coat despite a time crunch/constraint is inspiring and very helpful for me.

Here's hoping the next two trenches (en route) help clarify the situation a bit more. Looking forward to hearing what you think.

taylor

Veteran

I am easily confused!!!...I blame my age:)

Anonymous

I have this trench in the lighter color, and love it. I got it to replace a London Fog one that was nice and classic, but this one was FAR more flattering. It's hard for me to find coats cut small enough. My LF was taken in with mixed results, but luckily the Icon fit with no alterations needed!

I hope it works out for you too! I love the burnt caramel color.

rae

(website)

Veteran

VC, thank you very much - that is really encouraging. I have mostly *not* shopped around like this in my life, and have noticed that this leads to a fast turnover in my closet. I sort of keep looking for a better model even though I have already bought one, so I thought I'd try looking beforehand instead.

Sammi, thank you for the review! I am feeling optimistic about it since I got measurements of the actual product, but it is most reassuring to hear a YLFer's opinion.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Yep, that's how it goes alright! Can hardly wait to see how this one works for you! We may have to start calling you Queen Trench!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oh, I love this story and I can't wait for the next installment!!

And believe me, I haven't stopped looking for MY perfect trench, either. The black LF is good, and will do, but it's not the one of my dreams. So...stay tuned~

Love your idea that "What happens in Italy stays in Italy." THAT is a philosophy I can get behind!

Anonymous

That's the way it works.
Today I found a pair of Franco Sarto leopard print pumps I've been looking for forever... for $39 bucks!!!

Anonymous

Rae, you are an inspiration in showing us that persistance pays off. Too many times I've settled for something only to keep looking. Your way is much better on wardrobe space and the pocketbook and more satisfying in the long run.

ManidipaM

Veteran

Indeed, there IS a Fate for fashionistas! When does the J Crew arrive? Might you be tempted to trade in the Scottvest for your trip?

(That said, much as I like serendipity, I hate it while on SYC! My budget can't stand it --- and I do *not* enjoy sitting here and remembering the ones that got away several months ago and would've rescued seven or eight orphans from purge-atory!)