A Tailored Coat
My final addition to my coat wardrobe + adding feminine accessories
My belated Xmas present was a classic black double-breasted coat from Toteme. I’ve wanted a tailored coat for a while—one that is double-breasted, slightly oversized and somewhat reminiscent of the ones popular in the late 80s, early 90s. To me it’s ultimately versatile, you can dress it up or down, plus I needed something very warm. This replaces an old Stella McCartney of similar design that I bought on mega-sale years back at Neiman’s, but also in a very slim size 2, which now, frankly, is a bit too fitted for me (I’m saving it for my older daughter who is petite). I tried the coat on at the Toteme boutique and then found it on sale at Ssense. There are a few out there (see below), some are not on sale yet, but I am sure they will be quite soon. Unless you are desperate, I would hold out to get a decent deal.
It’s so hard to tell how anything fits when you look at it on beanstalk models, I don’t feel like this on me, above, looks the same as it does on the model, below. It feels bigger, not majorly oversized like The Row coats can be now, but enough where it fits the menswear style bill for me, without being so exaggerated that I tire of it.
The length is also important. My old Stella isn’t this long, and I like the idea of being enveloped, especially when it’s freezing outside like it is this week. This is a heavy Melton wool coat. If you live in warmer climes, there are Spring options like the other Toteme below (in a linen blend and on major sale), and LA Collection also makes one in a crepe silk, that is both dressy and light. (I have yet to try their clothes, but on my list as they seem well-proportioned and hopefully well-made too.)
Now my coats in rotation include, for super wintery days—my new Toteme and my impenetrable Toteme shearling I bought last year which is on sale here, here, and here (note it is very boxy), and for 40ish degrees and above days—my Nells Nelson Athena camel hair coat and my Cos double-breasted shorter coat that is basically a knockoff of The Row Poli (and is no longer on Cos’s site). My puffer is a Jil Sander x Uniqlo from a few years back with an a-line silhouette, which you can find on eBay (highly recommend).
I keep thinking of pairing all my tailored pieces with simple, but feminine accessories. These two pieces from The Row, which aren’t new so quantities are dwindling, top my current obsession list. The Dalia bag, and the Claudette flat (here and here). The bag also can be found in white (there was red, which I panicked and wanted but it is now sold out) and the shoe comes in a nice pale beige (which I did try on once and liked) that would be good for Spring. Wearing flats in NYC in winter isn’t happening, so we will see.
Finally, I’m excited to launch my newest Mega Mariner Link bracelet. Sometimes you just want one bold accessory. It also feels like a fresh pairing with my Spring palette which is coming together (another post).
xx Jennifer
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do you have any recommendations for similar tailored coats for petite people? The very long coats tend to swallow us up but i like how they look.
I have the Claudette flats. They are incredibly comfortable, however, the tips deteriorated VERY quickly. I noticed a slight bend when trying them on in with outfits in my closet. It caught my attention but I loved them so much I overlooked it. After 2-3 wears there was a noticable bend in both tips. And now after 10 wears they are full on creases. Very disappointing. They are definitely the right size, they are not too small. Those tips are delicate.