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Vintage coats

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Two more little worn vintage items.
1. The red coat is one of my oldest vintage things, I have a photo of Mum wearing it in 1964 when I was 3. Made in NZ, pure wool. As a late teenager I adored the red colour and that’s probably still my favourite red. I borrowed it aged 21 in 1982 to travel to our ( colder) South Island. Wore it a lot in late 90s/early 2000s, then again for a while in 2010/11.
It didn’t do up for a while. Just does up now.
2. Irish tweed coat/jacket, pure wool, bought in Ireland on our travels there 1989. It did have a matching skirt which I cannot do up.
Should I keep and wear these or is it bye-bye time? I may try to consign through vintage shops. I’d like someone to love Mum’s coat rather than just donate it where anyone could pick it up for almost nothing, they might not look after it.

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Dressing

32 replies

Latest reply was from Synne

The Cat

Veteran

Oh, Jenni, I understand that issues like these are not easy . Some items have so much sentimental value to us that it can be difficult to let them go.

I recognize both coat styles, from the '60s and '80s respectively, and they remind me of dear relatives who wore them.

Red is a gorgeous colour on you. But to be honest, I don't think the size and the proportions of the red coat are the best for you.

The long lines of the tweed jacket look elegant on you. The colours, too, are elegant. I like your styling with the slim black pants.

I vote, let the red coat go to a vintage shop, and keep and wear the tweed jacket.

Katerina

Veteran

I am nodding along with The Cat.
The red coat is magnificent, I am sure there will be someone, who falls for it and will take good care of it.
It is amazing the quality one could find in items from the fifties and sixties. I have an emerald green coat from the sixties, similar to the red one you have, which I bought in a consignment shop for twenty years ago in mint condition. The wool fabric is out of this world. I have worn it in periods a lot and it is still in excellent condition. This year it has not been worn. I wonder if and when I let it go...

Jenni NZ

Veteran

They weren’t styled! Those were just the jeans I had on today. Not sure if the vintage shop would want them anyway but could ask later in the week. Not open Mondays.

Bijou

Veteran

Jenni would one of your daughters wear and love the red coat? It is a beautiful piece and would be nice to keep it in your family.

rachylou

Veteran

Same thoughts. Beautiful coats. Keep the purple/blue, pass on the red.

SarahD8

Veteran

Huh. I had the opposite reaction to the posters above— but I think I have a poison eye for 80s styles, so don’t listen to me! I agree that if you pass the red coat along it would be great to give it to someone who would really appreciate it.

I just want to say that it’s really hard to let go of these sorts of sentimental items! Recently when I visited my parents I went through a whole bunch of old dresses, including prairie dresses made by my mom or grandma, and some that my mom made for herself in the 70s. I honor the work you are doing here, it is truly difficult!

JAileen

Veteran

I would let both go. The red coat definitely doesn’t fit. What about one of your daughters? It would be lovely if one of them wanted it. I’m not a fan of the purple one on you, I’m sorry to say. Again, what about your daughters?

I need to do this. I have a suede jacket that was my mother’s. I’m hanging onto it for sentimental reasons.

Anonymous

I’m with Janet

Runcarla

Veteran

Try the vintage shops. When I cleared out my closet last October, I was ruthless with my clothes. Out went the vintage - including a cocktail dress that once belonged to my mother. No regrets.

Kathie

Veteran

The color, and the collar design on the red coat are stunning. How does it look, if worn open? I agree with others that the fit is off, though.

The purple one looks dated, as opposed to retro, to my eye. Then again, like SarahD8, I have a bit of a poison eye for 80s styles. I’d pass along both, or, if they’re both truly sentimental, keep them in a special corner of your closet, knowing that they’re important for reasons other than actually wearing them.

Anonymous

The colors of both are great for you-not sure about the shapes though. When I have had things I didn't want to give to just anyone, I've taken them to the local theatre. Would that be an option for you?

fifthandfinest

(website)

Agree with everyone above re keeping the purple. They're both great pieces.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Hi all just woken up. I didn’t actually ask the girls ( who were here yesterday for Mother’s Day) about the coats. I did ask about grown-out-of skirts, including a beautiful Thai silk one from 1988, and they didn’t want those even though they fitted them. I suspect they wouldn’t, the red coat especially is very heavy and Rebecca hopes to move to the Bay Area in the US soon to be with her new hubby. I guess I will ask the vintage shop first to see if that’s an option. Thanks for the theatre idea Suntiger, I could look into it for the red one anyway.

Staysfit

Veteran

Can you move the buttons on the red to create a better fit? It’s a gorgeous color but it looks like the pocket is pulling open. Maybe it would work to tack it closed?

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Thanks Staysfit it fitted better when I was 21! I got too fat for it. I can wear it open or hold while I try to lose more weight. But I am not sure, hardly worn since about 2011 and taking up quite a lot of space in new wardrobe.

Sal

Veteran

I love the red one - I would consider buying it off you if it would fit me, but I suspect I might be too big for it...... But I think someone would snap it up - you could donate to Hospice or similar who have upmarket/curated thrift shops where they would sell this for $40-$60 and find it a new home.......

The 80s one is a fun coat but I do think it needs to be styled very carefully to keep it looking current.

Wool coats in Auckland don't get much wear do they - nor that much here in the Waikato.

Gorgeous vintage pieces.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Thanks Sally I am so happy you like it that much! I wear NZ size 14 usually which is a bit big for that coat, but if we ever get a meet-up you could try it as maybe you wear a size down? It might be too short in the sleeves for you as my arms are not long and I think you are 5 inches taller. Anyway I feel incredibly gratified about your liking for it, that’s how I have felt about it since age 21. You’ve made my day!

Sal

Veteran

I think it will be too small - I am a 12-14 but my arms are long and I often need room in the shoulders.... And we should schedule in a meet up this winter - I am due a trip to Auckland.

StyleDetective

Ugh. I so want that red coat to fit you, because it's stunning and has a great story to it, but it doesn't.

I have a small box of clothes that I know I'll never wear again, but I keep them because they have great sentimental value and I am hoping that when I'm 80 I'll be pulling them out, reliving the memories I associate them with. I am very strict about what goes in there. Perhaps you could keep the red coat on a similar basis until you find the right person to pass it along to?

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Before you assume otherwise, just check with your daughters to see if they are interested. And if you feel sentimental about the coats and have room to keep them do.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

The red is a stunning colour on you -- no wonder it pulled at your heartstrings! I hope one of your daughters wants to take these off your hands. I am with those who are saying the fits/ cuts are not the best for you. But I do understand how hard it is to let go when fabrication, colour, and memories of the coats are so powerful!

karen13

Veteran

Echoing what other have said - I like the red coat both style and color and feel the purple one is just too dated. Check with your girls and then consign or donate. It is very hard to let these sentimental items go, but they eventually just become overwhelming and you don’t need them to hold on to the memories.

kkards

Veteran

keep the red coat.....it was your mothers, and it belongs to your daughters and/or any grandchild that may come....

Sisi

Veteran

I like the red coat more. It looks classic and evergreen to me.

Jane

Veteran

I am nodding with Shevia and KKards - if you have room, then keep them and also your daughters may like them - now or at some point in the future.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Hi just to update you all I went to the vintage shop on Wednesday to ask about these and other items. It is a fancy shop called Painted Bird. I thought my things might not be fancy enough for her but she wants to take them all! A couple of things need an extra freshen up by me first.
So far she has taken the Irish tweed suit. I decided I was less sentimental about that one than Mum’s coat. And opinion here on the forum was mixed. I asked my girls first. They don’t want any of the stuff
I may hold Mum’s coat back for now. I wonder if the tweed suit will sell? I looked up our old Trip Book and I had bought it at the Blarney Woollen Mills near Blarney Castle.

ophelia

Veteran

Oooh, I'd keep Mom's red coat. If it were me (and it has been) I'd regret it deeply when it was gone.

LAR101

Love that red coat.
I would wear it.
I live in the SF Bay Area, drive to the snow in Tahoe where I wouldn’t use a dressy coat and travel to the East coast in winter where I can use a dressy coat like that. Perhaps your daughter will travel in the states, too. If I couldn’t keep it, I would give it to my daughters’ theater group.

I hope you keep it or find the right home for it.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Thank you LAR101. I am feeling if I can sell the other vintage items ( the tweed suit, the Thai silk suit, and a long Austrian skirt) then I will feel my wardrobe is lighter and maybe can keep this one longer. It is the oldest and maybe one of my daughters will yet like it some years into the future

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