Hello again
I do love wearing coats. Obviously we all have to wear coats in the winter, but there seems to be a rule that you should only have one, and that it should only be in black, or navy, or maybe beige. Sometimes you also see a few dark green coats. But never anything bright or colourful. I wonder why? Probably it’s because of the expense of these coats. They are pricey, as they should be, if they’re going to be warm. Coats made from acrylic are cheaper, but are they warm enough? Usually no, they are not.
Also I don’t get short coats (literally and metaphorically). It’s always the longer the better. Yes I am reasonably tall, but not overly at 5’8″, although I think I have lost an inch these days! I get it if you go everywhere by car that maybe a long coat isn’t the best item to wear and you want a shorter ‘car’ coat. But like a lot of people in the UK I live in a small town and can walk to everything in the town from where I live. And I often wait at bus stops to get back home after some shopping. And both for the walking and for the waiting at the bus stop, brrr, you want a long coat.
Another reason to have many coats came to the fore during the Covid pandemic when all you could do was go for a walk. If the only way to show your personality and dress sense was a coat, then why not wear different coats to show off your sense of style. Reader, I’ve just counted my coats, and I have 9 of them! If you count the Helly Hansen raincoat, that makes 10 coats that can be worn in the winter.
And before you say, but, but, I couldn’t possibly afford to follow your example and do this, only one of the 9 coats has been bought new, and that was bought during a sale. Equally you might say, that’s far too many especially as I am always thinking (and writing about) being more ethical and sustainable in my fashion habits. But I don’t do shoes or handbags. I wear one waterproof backpack in the winter and another backpack (the yellow one) in the summer. Plus another smarter cross-body bag for London. That’s only three bags! And I have very few shoes and/or boots.
It’s coats that I have a passion for. Basically, I have a collection of coats of varying colours and styles bought over the years some for very little, and some for just a bit more. They are absolutely my favourite thing to wear in the winter months. Note as well that most of them (apart from two black ones) are colourful consequently, i) they get noticed, ii) they cheer you up in the grey winter months, and iii) having these coats means you can choose them according to your mood and what you are wearing underneath! Why wouldn’t you do this?
Actually, do note I don’t give advice, I’m not saying you need to do this, but I do say have a look in your local charity or thrift shop, as you never know what you might find. Of course, always go for a quality product, and tbh, I have noticed this year that there are fewer good quality coats around. For instance, there used to be many of those camel hair coats in charity shops, there are none these days. Either these coats are not considered to be fashionable anymore, or people are just hanging on to clothing and not changing their outfits including coats as much as they used to. Which is actually good. I welcome the fact that people are buying less.
Anyway, I hold my hand up as being a bit of a hypocrite as recently I bought three coats: one in October, one in November and one in December, but they’re all from charity shops.
Let’s start with the coat I bought in December.
This is another nipped-in waist maxi coat, this time in a muted green. Apologies as you can barely see the colour at all in this pic. Consequently because of the rather muted colour I did rather dither over whether I should buy it – was it too dull? But hey it was £20 and it fitted perfectly! And look, I brightened it up with a faux fur collar that I bought years ago and never worn.
I kept that collar for its colour as I knew one day it would work with one of my coats!
This below is the coat I bought in October, which I wear when it is wet (but not bucketing down as that’s when I wear the yellow Helly Hansen mac). Yes, it is black but it has a cozy leopard print lining and is warm enough for the dreich and mizzly weather we often get in the UK.
The brand is ASOS and it cost £20. I rather like the cut of this coat and how it looks on. Here I am just about to go out on a very damp drizzly day.
To compensate for the black of that coat here is the November coat that you’ve seen already.
This cost £40 but as it was bought from a charity shop supporting a hospice I don’t mind the expense, and anyway think of the price of coats – this is still a bargain. I bought a rather striking hat in October and I’m thinking that the next time I go up to London and if it’s a nice day I’ll wear the hat with the coat – you’ll see a pic of that I promise!
You are already very familiar with my yellow jacket bought years ago for £5. This is going against me saying I only wear long coats in the winter. But the colour… it doesn’t half cheer me up when I wear it!
And this brightly coloured one was bought last year for, I think, £25. I have worn it, and like the yellow jacket it attracts a lot of attention!
The coat below was also bought last year for the iniquitous price of £3!
I wear it to go grocery shopping and it looks particularly good when I wear it with jeans.
Then there’s my faux fur coat which I haven’t worn for a couple of years now. The weather just hasn’t been cold enough but I shall hang on to it as it’s amazingly warm. This btw is a very old photo!
Honestly I’ve had it for years and it’s absolutely a keeper. Trawling through old photographs I was appalled at the number of clothes that have passed through my hands into my wardrobe and out of it. I really do aim from now on to buy fewer items. But I’m rather pleased to have kept this lovely coat.
Here’s my other black coat, which I consider to be a London coat. I bought this last year and can’t quite remember how much it cost. As you can see I should have worn a different scarf as the black against black really wasn’t very stylish. What I needed was a red scarf to go with the hat.
Here I am with my lovely yellow silk scarf, which sadly is no more as it was eaten by a moth!
And lastly coat number 9 is the only one I’ve bought new.
I bought it over two years ago and it was quite pricy at £99 and that was a sale! It is very warm and cozy though and I’ll take it to Dungeness for our January break, as the weather is sure to be exceedingly bracing!
Well there you are! Nine coats to choose from every time I go out – now that is what I call fun! I wear them not only according to the weather but according to my mood and the outfit that I’m wearing.
That’s all for now. Next week I shall be joining in with the other lovely bloggers for our latest Tell Us About… and I will be wishing you all a Happy Christmas nearer the time. And a final December post will be my Review of the Year with best buys, health news and best books and films etc. That’s when you’ll see a pic of my two grandchildren! After that I am taking a sabbatical and going off to Dungeness for a writing retreat in early January. You will see me again later that month.
Until next week, with love, Penny the Frugalfashionshopper
Love, love, love the coats, Penny! Well done! I see how your coats not only fit your slim frame but fit your lifestyle as well. And your styling of them looks current and fun! I do like your “stripe” one.
Living in Southern California, the opportunity to wear a full length, wool coat are rare. I have one full length, black coat for more formal outings and a forest green, three-quarters down coat for casual wear including camping. Though the black coat is polyester, I do like the finish of the fabric. It has a double-breasted style and fits my five foot frame wonderfully. I’ve had both coats for 20+ years..
Here, jackets are key from denim to blazers. I was on the East Coast of the U.S. in October and found a fun, cozy, ivory fleece jacket from Spain. It is my favorite souvenir.
A Merry Christmas to you and yours, Penny! Happy New Year, too!
Hi Charlene I completely get it that if you live in a warmer climate you wouldn’t want to wear long wool coats. Jackets are great aren’t they, and I love jackets. Summer jackets can be worn for months but there is quite a small window when you can wear just a jacket in the winter. So good to hear you’ve had those coats for 20+ years. That has to be the way to do things!
Wishing you a Merry Christmas too. I will be back twice more before that date. See you then and as ever thanks Charlene 🙂
You are right…. Coat is very important
Yes, I am in complete agreement with you Martine, thank you 🙂
I love all your coats, I share your passion and feel that we can’t have too many ! The only thing is the cost when it’s time to have them dry cleaned, as obviously wool coats can’t be washed.
I have about six good wool coats, and one fake fur, which I had made, and stupidly didn’t go for full length, it would have been so much warmer. My coats are all in dark colours, black,grey, dark blue, and brown.
But I really want a red coat ! I love a coat that Janice wears in “Friends”, it’s a long wool coat in a sort of pinky red, and has leopard (fake) collar and cuffs. Do you ever covet clothes worn by characters in films or on TV ? Should add that my coats were aquired over the years and the oldest must be twenty years old. Oh, and I almost forgot, a black and white tweed coat with a black fur collar that belonged to my mother.
I don’t really wear this one because I think with my grey hair it makes me look like Lady Bountiful off to open a Christmas bazaar !
Hi Maisie and great to meet another admirer and lover of coats! Oh yes, do get a red coat! And yes, I do that too, covet clothes worn by characters on TV. I remember being very taken by Robin Penn Wrights characterisation of Claire Underwood in House of Cards and especially those slim fitting pencil skirts.
I also look at characters with coats and found Nicole Kidman’s depiction of a wife of a murderer (Hugh Grant, I think) in The Undoing (2020) mesmerising mainly for the number of her coats! I do wish though she wasn’t botoxed so much. No-one could have such smooth face at her age – it’s a shame really. .
And why not wear that black and white tweed coat in a really posh and/or grand setting. I’m a great believer in dressing up for London art galleries. Could you take the fur collar off??
Thanks Maisie 🙂
Dear penny. You are right coat is very important in a wardrobe
I do understand your love for coats. As people only see that when you’re outside. So you have to make a impression with a coat. To show your personality. Love that green coat. It’s so elegant!
Hi Nancy and yes, exactly that! Winter coats are one way to show people your style and personality! As ever thanks Nancy 🙂
Penny – let’s hear it for coats! I love all yours. I was just thinking this morning of the years when I had one winter coat, and carried one purse until it wore out. I think I have as many coats as you, and unfortunately, I ALSO do purses AND shoes! But I love planning each evening what I’ll wear the next day and laying it out. Yes, hats, scarves and brooches are key to livening up a dark coat. Holing up for your Dungeness retreat sounds like the perfect thing after the busy holiday season.
Cheers, MK
Hi MaryK and so glad that you too love coats and have many to choose from. And it’s exactly that, you can choose what coat to wear with the outfit of the day! I didn’t say that of course I love hats as well! So I think we’re about equal!!!
I’m looking forward to getting away from it all in the little spit of land that is Dungeness. I expect it will be very bracing though. The wind whips off the sea in the most ferocious manner – but I love it! And I’ll be able to do some uninterrupted writing.
Thanks Mary 🙂
I’m with you and even though I live in Arizona where it’s warmer and doesn’t snow, it’s still cold enough to need coats. And I have that many if not more, LOL. Some of mine have been passed down from my mother, but they are the best way to add personality to a winter outside outfit.
Love the orange one…it’s so fun and fabulous.
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Oh wow, I didn’t realise that despite living somewhere with warm weather you still have a large collection of coats! In the winter they absolutely are the best way to show one’s personality and style.
Thanks Jodie XXX
Penny you have converted me from a basic black coat person. You are so right that in colder winter climates as we have here in New York the coat is the only thing many see of you. why not
make an impression. I am so happy that I purchased my blue coat. I think every time I have worn it someone has come up to me and and given me a complement. today I wore it as I completed my Christmas shopping. I was in my favorite chocolate shop and the owner, as she was giving me a delicious sample, told me she really liked the coat. I paid full price for it, though not especially expensive but I did tailor it and had the sleeves shortened but not a bit sorry. When I look at your red coat I want one like it. So cherry and it looks wonderful on you. I hope you and your family are enjoying these days leading up to Christmas. And wish you and them a very Merry Christmas!
Love from New York, Darby
I too am so glad you bought the blue coat as it must be lovely to get the compliments – and it also acknowledges your style. It’s good to stand out and you’ve done it!
Thanks Darby and here’s wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas too 🙂
I think all of your coats are spectacular! But, that red London coat is fabulous! You look so good in all of them, Penny! I did just buy two different down filled coats and thought of you as I was picking the colors. One is a berry color, and the other is spruce green. It’s funny because we wear winter coats a lot here, but I’ve never been one to buy lots of them. I do, however, have lots of purses and shoes! So, you and I balance each other out (though I have more than nine of either)!
Have a wonderful rest of your week!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
I expect down filled coats are very necessary in the colder parts of the US and a berry colour sounds really nice. I do think that coats are absolutely the best way to show our style and personality especially in the winter. And I forgot to say I have 37 hats. Actually it might be more as I haven’t counted them recently! So we really do balance each other out.
Thanks Marsha 🙂
A great selection of coats Penny. That fur one is beyond glamourous 7 the diagonal stripe quite unusual. I do like a fitted coat and have had my long large herringbone black and white one for over 20 years. It has a full skirt, a narrow shawl collar & sleeves with a curved notch. It’s from Principles Petite so perfect for me. I’ve always hoped to find something similar but never have. Being a neutral shade I have worn it with different colours of hat scarf & gloves ; bright pink, red, purple and bright blue. I’m looking at a (new) Hobbs blue coat on e-bay but I have to weigh up if I’m prepared to take up the sleeves as it’s a regular size. I have several coats, mostly shorter ones, all of many years standing, including a raincoat with fake fur lining down the front which I always call my Henry VIII coat. Must wear it again soon!
Your coats sound lovely and I feel you’ve got great style – that coat with a full skirt must be beautiful. I think a nipped in waist is so much better than the looser type of coat. I particularly dislike the fuller coat with a tie belt as they usually look like dressing gowns on me!!!
That Hobbs coat sounds a good buy. There’s so much rain about these days so the raincoat with the fur lining will be so useful.
Thanks Lynda 🙂
I have serious coat envy, having seen your collection of fabulous coats, Penny! The green maxi coat reminds me of one I wore as a student, in the seventies, made by my mother. When maxis were no longer in fashion, she converted it into a midi. I loved that coat! The addition of the red faux fur colour works brilliantly too. The red, yellow and orange coats look equally fantastic on you. 50% of my coats are for dog walking but you’ve made me realise that when I’m in charity shops, I rarely look at coats. This must change! Great post!
Morning Penny
Yes, an impressive collection of coats. You’ve got me thinking about my coats: the same number but only two long ones (both wool lined macs), three faux fur (one very expensive, the other two from QVC). Compared to yours, all my coats are on the dull side – which I liven up with hats, scarves, gloves and bags. I can’t think why I only have two long coats as I really do love them, but it’s unlikely I’ll get one as I’m not buying at the mo.
My 2024 resolution is to wear every item of my clothing over the next year. Anything I’ve not worn – and loved – by this time next year will go to charity. I have a lot: two double wardrobes and five boxes, plus 2/3 of the coat cupboard. I also have a beavy of footwear that needs ‘attention’.
I do think I’m addicted… to clothes, the thrill of the purchase, the ‘find’, a combination or what. Some of my clothes I’ve had for 25 years+. I wear them occassionally but mostly keep for ‘the memory’ or ‘just incase’. There are a few items I’ve never worn – but they give me pleasure to look at, others I’m waiting for …. C’td P94. Or perhaps on the blog I’m thinking about creating.
Look forward to your round-up. In the meantime I’m off to the shops – for food this time! 😉
All the best, Mary xx
Hi Mary – coats are really important to me. I do feel that they show off one’s style and personality and that’s mainly why I collect them – along with hats!
Your resolution to not buy and indeed wear every item or otherwise is so interesting! Recently I’ve been very strict about 1-in and 1-out, but I do have a few of those items that haven’t been worn this year. The thing that helps me with the 1-in and 1-out is that I have only one, not particularly big wardrobe, plus some Ikea containers for my seasonal wear, and there’s a coat cupboard which like yours is 2/3 mine. So I really can’t keep loads of clothes hanging about. They need to be worn or else. And I think by next year I will have sorted out those clothes that I’m keeping just because I might….
Actually I do get that ‘addiction’ I too love the hunt and the thrill of the purchase, but in the last two months I have reduced my purchases hugely. I hope to keep it that way! See you next week with the writing challenge – the annual might come after Christmas.
All the very best Mary 🙂
I have serious coat envy, having seen your collection of fabulous coats, Penny! The green maxi coat reminds me of one I wore as a student, in the seventies, made by my mother. When maxis were no longer in fashion, she converted it into a midi. I loved that coat! The addition of the red faux fur colour works brilliantly too. The red, yellow and orange coats look equally fantastic on you. 50% of my coats are for dog walking but you’ve made me realise that when I’m in charity shops, I rarely look at coats. This must change! Great post!
Yes, I remember maxi coats the first time round! And I definitely had one. I also remember that when I had a dog I had two coats for dog walking! My coat collection has happened mainly over the last 10 years.
And again yes, do look for coats when you go into a charity shop. However, I have to say there are fewer good quality coats on the rails and I think that’s because people are holding on to their coats, which is good of course. I’ll tell you where I do find quality clothes and that’s the hospice charity shops. For obvious reasons they usually have the best clothes on offer.
Thanks June 🙂
I love your collection of coats! Every single one is a winner. Love the colorful ones but the black ones are classic too. I wore my red peacoat on Monday.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
The thing is a winter coat is an essential piece of kit for us Brits as our cold weather is damp and you really need that extra warm layer. So that’s why I collect them as much as wishing to reveal my style and personality. Good to hear you’ve got a red peacoat!
Thanks Mireille 🙂
Hello Penny
Yes, you’ve an impressive collection of coats. You got me thinking about my coats: the same number but only two long ones, both wool lined macs, three faux fur (one very expensive (a present), the other two from QVC). Compared to yours, all my coats are on the dull side – which I’m happy with as I liven them up with hats, scarves, gloves and bags. I can’t think why I only have two long coats as I really do love them, but it’s unlikely I’ll get one as I’m not buying at the mo.
My 2024 resolution is to wear every item of my clothing over the next year. Anything I’ve not worn (and enjoyed) by this time next year will go to charity. I have a lot: two double wardrobes and five boxes, plus 2/3 of the coat cupboard. I also have a beavy of footwear that needs ‘attention’.
I do think I’m addicted… to clothes, the thrill of the purchase, the ‘find’, a combination… I also have difficulty parting company with stuff. Some items I’ve had for 25 years+ and wear them occassionally but some are mostly kept for ‘the memory’ or ‘just incase’. And, confession: there are several items that I’ve never worn but I’m waiting for…. C’td P94!
Look forward to your round-up. In the meantime I’m off to the shops: food shopping this time! 😉
All the best, Mary xx
Like you Mary I think I’m addicted to buying clothes and in my case costume jewellery, especially brooches. I don’t have so much of a problem parting with things although I do have items that, realistically, I know I’ll never wear again or even at all. I’m trying to cut back and ask myself ‘could I wear this tomorrow ?’ before buying in a charity shop or on e-bay. I want to stop buying things with some unspecified occasion in mind !
Why is it so difficult to find coats with hoods apart from duffle coats and puffa jackets. England is a cold, wet country and we need hoods.