Coat of Charms

    I know I have a massive wardrobe, but there are certain items for which I am a one (or two) and done kind of gal and coats are on that list.  The last time I bought a coat it was probably 2010 and we were living in the Pacific Northwest.  Before we moved there, I thought I had a coat.  Much to my chagrin one single winter in the PNW let me know in a hurry that what I had was in fact just a wool jacket with no insulation layer and if I didn't upgrade I wouldn't survive.  Since I'd never lived that far north before (in America anyway) I kept thinking what we were experiencing was just a "cold snap," something brief and atypical that I could just grin and bear in my little jacket for a few days.  It wasn't.  It was a real winter and it lasted for three solid years on that icy little island near Canada.  I had to adapt.  

    I went on a long search during what passes for summer up there when coat prices for the rest of the country are rock bottom.  I found a darling aubergine wool peplum pea coat by Victoria's Secret on Ebay which I purchased for a song in the off-season.  It really was the perfect coat and has seen me through 14 winters, but it's also been washed a lot, lost a few buttons, and served as a bed to the spiteful ginger tabby cat that snuck into the shed where it was in storage more than once and left her fur all over it.  I thought it was time I invested in another coat.  

    I've had my eye on the Pearl Coat by Collectif for the past few years, but it was about $350 and as much as I hoped it would go on sale, it really never did.  Then Collectif closed up shop and I was left to search for one second-hand.  I found a great color combo and in my size for an amazing price on Poshmark, but the seller never shipped or responded to my messages, so I had to cancel and start the search over.  Finally I found this Pearl in foxy colors that I love, at a not quite as good but still reasonable price, but one size bigger than I wear.  Yes, it's a little loose, but this coat is still heavenly.  It's well made, quite warm and do I ever love this style.  In all honesty, I may have to keep my eye out and get one in black as well if I can find it at the right price.

Outfit Info:  Pearl Coat by Collectif, wool beret is old, shoes by Qupid, gloves are vintage