Wednesday 13 October 2010

brrrr

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So perfectly Sherlockian!

She's cold today boy! As my jog to the shop to buy soup just reminded me, I'm going to be needing a winter coat sooner rather than later. I had a quick glance around the shops last weekend in search of one, but left outraged.

Why outraged? Well, in 2003 when I was in Glasgow, I bought a winter coat from Topshop. It cost £50, which I thought was a fortune (the Canadian dollar to pound exchange rate back then was about 2.5, so it was kind of a fortune). The coat was bright red, awesome, and 80% wool. It still is all of those things, actually, it's just in Canada at the moment.
Last week I found that the coats they were selling in Topshop were all about £95, less awesome, and only 50% wool (50% some other rubbish). Maybe with the much better exchange rate I'd be paying more or less the same, but the average British person wouldn't be. Ridiculous. And all affordable coats these days have crappy wool-contents. And I'm a girl who gets very cold. So.. what to do?

Well, nothing at the moment, but here are some of my unattainable cold weather dreams...

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Hearts and Hands coat, Gloverall Cape, Vanessa Bruno Atte coat and See by Chloe coat, all from Urban Outfitters (the UK one is so much better than the American one)

I wouldn't say no to one of these either:
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These sweaters are hand-knit in Vancouver by Granted Clothing. Every year I go back to their website to drool over the new designs. They take inspiration from the Cowichan sweaters, originally made by First Nations people (and which seem to be really popular these days). However, the family that runs the company are Canadian with Japanese roots, and the designs that are woven in can be inspired by Canadiana, Japanese culture (Japanismo?) or just be a bit random (last year they had a sweater with palm trees and another with flamingos).

I'd also quite like a mustard yellow coat or one in a kelly green shade. Any suggestions?

44 comments:

ana said...

Me encanta el de cuadros!! pero con el sol de guadalajara solo por las maƱanas!!

camille said...

Love this selection of cosy winter coats :) Paris in Pink

Spencer. said...

Cool coats, although I probably shouldn't say 'cool' as their primary function is to keep people warm, tehe. Sherlock holmes has epic style, the first coat totally embodies that air of holmes-ish-ness ;)
x

Amrit said...

Very nice pictures. I find the USA to be the cheapest for clothes. If you want we can buy and send a winter coat. Style are pretty different here though. In Europe and Canada, you get much better styles (per my wife).

Emily, Ruby Slipper Journeys said...

Oh, thank you, A! That's very sweet! I'm sure I'll find something though, I'm just bitter about the reduced quality/increased price, more than anything!

Emily, Resplendent Tranquility said...

It's all very discouraging, isn't it? If I'm going to invest in a nice coat, the wool content better be pretty high. That said, I haven't been able to find one that isn't ugly or not half manufactured with synthetics either. Is there any chance your family could ship your beloved coat to you?

Oh my, the Granted Clothing sweaters are extremely drool-worthy. One of those might be a good investment. And if the weather happens to be rainy/snowy, a raincoat worn over top would protect the wool. Just a thought :)

I agree, the UK Urban Outfitters it infinitely better than the American one. I rarely bother looking there anymore because it's all so predictable and unexciting.

Amber Schmidt said...

Coats are so expensive. :/

I was able to get a lovely coat c/o Tulle.
If you email my amberrose@modestjune.com email, I can forward you the "bloggertunity" email they sent. All you have to do is write a review of the coat. Not sure if they're still doing it, but shoot me an email.

Emily, Ruby Slipper Journeys said...

@Emily: and expensive, I can never believe the prices for see-through dresses in that place.
@ Amber. Wow, thank you my dear!

Velvet said...

The mustard yellow coat sounds great!

SG said...

You are absolutely right. Quality has gone down. Price has gone up.

Raquel said...

well I'd suggest H&M, they're not very expensive and there's actually a selection of coats with a high percentage of wool! i got myself a black one last year and it was 69€ and I love it!

Amber said...

Wow great selection of coats you have here. Coats can be pricey but I think its always better to pay a little more for a good quality coat as you will usually get a good amount of mileage out of it

Emily, Ruby Slipper Journeys said...

@Amber: Oh, I agree. I have coats for years (my red one is still perfectly functional, just not with me). But I simply can't pay £300 or whatever for a See by Chloe coat, and I resent paying £100 for a Topshop coat that is worse quality than the one I got for half the price seven years ago. It just seems that when a company gains popularity, the price goes up and the quality goes out the window.
@Raquel. Thanks! I'll check them out!

Closet Fashionista said...

Those coats are so gorgeous!!! I hate that coats are so expensive...I still can't believe I let myself buy that DKNY one for $135, especially since I have a few coats :/ But whatever XD
http://aclosetfashionista.blogspot.com/

Jasmine said...

that look so pretty and comfy ahh but i know i will never have the chance to wear them in my country , i will be melting like Frost the Snowman under the crazy hot weather lol

Lenne said...

The first three coats are so pretty! :'D You have great taste.

Diana said...

i totally agree with you - coats are so expensive and often times they aren't even warm! but these are quite gorgeous. loooooovvvvvveeee the vanessa bruno atte coat

http://dressedupallligators.blogspot.com/

Rio said...

I love all of these... and winter coats in general! I just bought a cheap one, but it doesn't get too terribly cold here, so it'll do! That plaid one is perfect! Good luck with the search chicadee! :)

Also... come on over & enter my giveaway! :)

Hanna C. said...

i love you coats! especially the first one. i think i have to buy one for this winter :)
btw, love your blog. am a follower now :)

Anthea said...

The coats you picked out are beautiful. Looks like you are going to have to do some saving!

Coats are very expensive. Here in South Africa I must say that they are not only expensive but are not of a good quality as well. For good quality, I'd have to pay a fortune. That's why I sometimes buy coats in Summer, so that I can get them for cheaper.

Anthea,
Embracing Style

stylefrontier said...

i wish singapore has 4 seasons as i also want to have some gorgeous coats in my wardrobe to be worn daily
envy you there hahaha

xoxo

Anonymous said...

Some of the superstores (Tesco, Sainos and Asda) got an affordable selection of coats. I've been looking for over a month now and found one in Tesco. Mind you I got my other one via mail order. I figured if I am paying 80-90 quid I am not getting it on the darn highstreet!

It 's the prices of vegetables that REALLY tick me off. You'd think tomatoes had pearls growing in their centre..

Imogen said...

Excellent choices here I like them all. I often like a bright coloured coat maybe a purple would be nice. I hope you find the right one that you are looking for.

Stefani said...

beautiful coats!
you have a nice blog!follow you now:)

x

k said...

i hate that coats are so expensive...i adore them and want to buy them all the time :)

Paulie Antiques said...

i love the first coat! :) amazing!

Outofseasonface said...

Ugh all the lovely jacketsout are so pricey! Even in New York I have a problem finding good ones. I love that I have so many little shops to shop through, but I can't bring myself to pay 1-200 bucks on a cute jacket that i'll be freezing my butt off in!

Anonymous said...

I love the full skirt on the top coat, though I'm sorry to hear about the exchange rate. That brown one is nice too.

And I love the idea of a thick sweater with palm trees knit into it.

Lorine Mathers said...

waaaaaaaaaa i love the Sherlockian one! but in Indonesia is so hot and that's funny if you wear that here -,-" but I do adore and want it so bad.
wanna exchange link? or just follow each other?
xo, Lorine

Tara said...

nice post and ur style is awesome :D
check my new blog post " Mr. Moody " and leave ur comment.
Thankss....

www.hottalotta.blogspot.com

Justine said...

The first one is my favorite. Would you consider that to be mustard yellow? I'm not very good with colors :)

Thanks for stopping by blog and leaving a comment. You are welcome back any time :) I hope to hear from you again soon!

Justine
Just Better Together

Alycia Grayce (Crowley Party) said...

Just stumbled across your blog :) Love it! My fellow Canadian!

Molly said...

What a flawless collection of coats...it's making me salivate...and reach for my wallet. I want that first Sherlockian one teeeerribly.

Great post! Love your blog...stoked I found. Totes gonna follow ;D

Catita said...

Hey you Canadian nomad! I am in love with the black coat! I want it!!!
XOXO
Catita

... said...

um yes these coats are leaps and bounds better than what you can from the north american uo!! The black jacket is especially amazing ughughugh!!!


xx
MILK TEETHS

Daniella said...

love the one with squares!!!

Karol Duarte said...

very preatty coats!
i love the sweaters.

xx

Oh, My Darling said...

Wow, I'm experiencing gorgeous coat overload right now!

Joanna said...

These are all lovely! I'm on the hunt for a winter coat too at the moment...Canadian winters call for warm coats! The first two are my fav!

Jenny Morris said...

your posts are so interesting...so many things i want to comment on!

such an excellent collection of coats! Montreal is fuh-reezing in the winter so its important to take coat shopping to heart! its one of the few things that I will splurge on...im gonna keep an eye out for the sherlock style in vintage!

i really appreciate how you mention that these sweaters are modeled after authentic first nations designs - because its a trend i think its easy for fashionistas to forget where it all comes from, and how these styles are beautiful but also within the context of fashion, interlock with a history of oppression and cultural appropriation.

xoxo Jenny
fashionmademefunky.blogspot.com

gbgb said...

oh god, i'd go nuts...all those coats are dreamy!!! it's why i never end up buying a new one, i can never make a decision hahaha good luck finding a good quality coat for a good price! :)

Wendy said...

OMG...Awesum post!!! love the older pics!!!
Wens
www.wendyinthefashionlane.blogspot.com

C.G. Koens said...

As a life-long fan of Sherlock Holmes - I ADORE that coat!! Is it for sale somewhere???

Little Miss Curious said...

gosh, i need those! :)) the first three are the best!!

xx