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WIW -shopping my coat closet

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Over the years I have found some vintage coat gems and then I find myself in the sort of silly position of not wearing or selling them! So I am purposely wearing them this winter.
#1/2 is a vintage Gaultier Jeans leather coat. The best part is the way is the way the back is cut.
#3 I seem to find more than my share of vintage Miss V Valentino coats from the 90s I believe.
#4 Rene Lezard leather coat that I bravely self belted!

Thoughts? Which would you keep? Styling suggestions? Thanks for looking!

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32 replies

Latest reply was from auditorycortex

nemosmom

Veteran

Oh my gosh, all three are great! I love the oxblood/burgundy color on you and I love the fit of it as well as the Valentino - not TOO tailored, not TOO slouchy, but Goldilocks - JUST RIGHT! And the belted one is such a versatile length. Geez, do you have to get rid of any??!!

Vildy

Veteran

I'd bring the two leather jackets to the fore of the closet in service of wearing them more often. I like the self-belted look here just fine. Can't see any negatives.

I personally don't cotton to the aggressively plain wool coat. Unless you have a need for keeping one such staid topper on hand. Otherwise, this, to me, lacks the jaunty look you sport so well.

NancyW

Veteran

The coats are all treasures and I can see why you don’t want to part with them. Your styling is impeccable, every shoe/boot completes and compliments the coat you have paired it with.

RobinF

Veteran

Wow great coats! I agree the back of that first one is really fun and the belt works just fine on the last one! Keep wearing!

Helena

Veteran

I think these all look great - they totally work with your style and look very flattering. I'm with nemosmom; do you need to get rid of any??

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Oh, my favorite is the Gaultier -- it's so unique, and very you. Love it with those jeans too (why do I not have a pair of jeans like that??).

My second favorite is the long wool coat -- it's classic and a great simple backdrop to wear with your excellent footwear, and patterned scarves would be wonderful with it. How about a cool vintage brooch on the lapel?

I like the last one but it's not quite as fab or distinctive as the others. Still, it looks good and like it could be very useful.

Bijou

Veteran

You always look good and have such interesting pieces, I can imagine editing your wardrobe would be incredibly difficult. #1 gets my vote as being the most special, I love the colour and also the back of the coat, a wonderful find.

Anonymous

That burgundy is a great color on you! Keep them and wear

Cardiff girl

Veteran

I think that you just need to get them out of the wardrobe more often!And maybe a cheery scarf or two would add something if you liked wearing scarves.

JAileen

Veteran

If space isn’t a problem, keep them! I love the wool coat on you.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Fabulous coats. I especially love the Gauthier and the long wool coat. You don't get a long season to wear them so enjoy them while you can!

kellygirl

Veteran

The burgundy is my fave but you wear all so well that it would be hard to choose. My default is keep them all and wear them often!!

rachylou

Veteran

They’re all great, all serve a different purpose. But the Gaultier - Yes, that one is a scene-stealer

Eliza

Veteran

Nice coats! See why they have stuck around...The Gaultier is gorgeous on you and such a unique silhouette. The long wool is a basic with the wider lapel detail and a versatile piece for styling. The shorter coat is practical for different purposes, but not full of panache. As to what you keep, all could play a role if you have space and like a nuanced coat collection. (I like having a range of coats in different fabrics, textures, degree of warmth, water resistance, etc. as my climate covers all possibilities). Assume the Gaultier stays regardless! It loves you.

notsaf

Veteran

I think the last is my favorite. The way you've styled it is so perfect and complete. Why do you say belting was brave?

kkards

Veteran

my 1st thought is that i want to go thrifting with you! my second is that both of those leather coats are fab! and i'd keep them both! the Miss V Valentino is nice, but not as special as the other 2, but i'm guessing that its the most practical...

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

YAY! You're wearing your outerwear, Jaime. Milk it sister....

My fave is the belted in #3 with those AMAZING snakeskin boots that bookend so beautifully. KILLER. Belting is my new best look for you, brave stylish lady

Glory

Veteran

All fantastic and I see no reason to get rid of any of them since they are in rotation now :).

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I’m with Vildy. I can’t see that the Valentino coat does anything for you. Sorry to say that just to me it looks boring- which in my view is not you! As Angie would say, I’m being a spanner on this coat.

Sal

Veteran

The burgundy is a show stopper - what a great jacket on you!! And I love your snakeskin booties...

Which one did you like best and is there one you are considering passing on?

Kate

Veteran

Gaultier is hands down a winner. Love that on you. I also like the long wool coat, but I'm a sucker for that style.

April

Veteran

Your coats have reminded me why I need to go thrifting more often with my son! He knows every thrift/vintage/consignment shop in NYC and coats are my weakness...

Also, from one silvery curly girl to another -- let me say once again that I love your hair.

slim cat

Veteran

Like the long classic coat - but love the last one. Looks great belted on you - comfy and a bit in 1990s ( maybe I just miss my retired leather coat from that time ).

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Thank you all so much! And wow, I like a diverse bunch of opinions. I will definitely wear the Gaultier more often - I was feeling a little overwhelmed by it but apparently I just have to remember who's boss!

nemosmom - Well, technically I don't have to get rid of anything heh heh!
Vildy - Thank you for your opinion. I will look at the brown coat through your eyes. The problem for me is I don't need much of anything for my lifestyle. But I enjoy many things I don't need.
NancyW Thank you so much. That is a great compliment!
RobinF Belt reassurance is just what I need - thanks!
torontogirl - Well no, it is more a question of should I than must I .
Janet - Yes why don't you have these jeans ? TheRealReal for cheap designer jeans, sometimes new with tags, take a look. I love your styling suggestions and goodness knows I have enough scarves etc. to play with.
Bijou - Thank you! Yes editing my closet is kind of ridiculous. I don't edit so much as revolve and evolve.
suntiger - Will do!
Cardiff girl - Thank you - you are probably right!
Jaileen - Thank you! Long wool coat is appreciative of some support!
Suz - Yes, exactly, it is wear it now or never here.
kellygirl Thank you - I am trying to take your approach.
rachylou - As it should be I suppose .
Eliza - Thank you for your thoughtful comment. I do love having a variety of coats, or rather I do love finding vintage and unusual coats and wearing them is the bonus.
notsaf - Thank you. Generally I avoid belting because I don't really have a distinct waist. It only works when the garment itself has enough bulk to create a the illusion of wider hips.
kkards Actually the thing I like best about Miss V is that it is brown not black .
Glory Excellent point !
Jenni NZ I love a good spanner comment. I am considering everything.
Sal Thank you! Truthfully I would keep them all if they all are wearable and I wear them. Because I am a wardrobe maximalist. There I said it .
Kate - Thank you! Very excited about making the Gaultier more of a signature.
April Yay to team silver curls! Hmm, maybe you, me and your son should get together next summer? Although I am a very unsocial thrifter, I am good for the coffee in between stops .
slim cat - Thank you! I am going to guess that all three coats are from the 90s actually. I have to double check, but I think so. Kooky but true.
Angie Uh oh! Thank you for recognizing the courage that belt took. It has finally dawned on me that instead of making my waist smaller, my hips just need to be bigger! Thank you for your always generous thoughts.

Joy

Veteran

Jaime, each coat looks amazing with your perfect styling. I would keep them all for now. What do you do with those that have obvious shoulder pads? I am finding some great coats with them but fear removal would change the fit of the coat too much.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

That is a great question Joy. It really depends on the fit and also how embedded the shoulder pad is. I actually like a well done shoulder pad on me, but do tend to remove them from blouses. I think it is a case by case decision but maybe you should post a question with samples if you have any! I would love to hear other people's thoughts.

ETA Roxanna! I want to see those coats!

Roxanna

Veteran

I love that Valentino. Impeccable clean lines, beautiful collar, beautiful colour, and not boring at all - in fct I think the length makes it dramatic and I bet it was that 'swoosh' factor when you move. KEEP! and WEAR!

(I also have a collection of thrifted coats that I should be wearing vs. the same puffer every day. You might have inspired me!)

avicennia

Veteran

Shevia — I’m late to the game commenting (I only check the forum on weekends). Love the coats, particularly the Valentino overcoat. I’m intrigued by your ability to pull off brown. Since going silver, I can no longer wear brown, tan, cream and ivory. But it looks great on you!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Avicennia - this is such an interesting point. For several years after going grey I avoided brown. Then I slowly started with cognac, and now, as you see, brown is back. It helps that my skin color is olive I think. In short - try it again! You might like it.

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