For the first time in a long time something in a magazine caught my eye and instantly set me searching for a pair of scissors to create a d.i.y project (with the absence of a sewing machine my d.i.y projects usually include hacking bits off things, with varying results). It was this month's Vogue U.S with the radiant michelle williams (of dawson's creek not destiny's child fame) on the cover. At the very back of the magazine they were featuring 'multi-tasking pieces', that is the item that can work in different ways in different wardrobes in different seasons. One of these items was the sleeveless coat.
Sleeveless coat you say? but what, pray tell, is the point of such an item of clothing? Surely it is the most superfluous thing to hit wardrobes since the oversize clutch bag (if you wanted a big clutch wouldn't you just use a normal bag?) But then, superfluous doesn't always mean wrong. Especially in my wardrobe. I was inspired, so inspired in fact that i went and found a coat that i never wore and hacked the sleeves off. The effect was glorious. Suddenly the coat, a drab old swing-cut thing, became at once both grungily chic and filled with gallic charm. I felt like one of those girls who just throw some fabulous piece on over a simple outfit and surprise everyone. I threw it on over my long checked skirt and an assymetrical black silk shirt with the ends flying loose. Then I swaggered off to a friend's picnic in the park all rugged up, comfortable, and hopefully effortless.
I think that the sleeveless coat is the coat for all seasons. You can warm it up in winter with added layers underneath and long elbow length gloves. You can wear it open in autumn so that you're warm, but not too warm. In summer you can belt it as a dress, or just wear it flowing over a sleeveless tank and cut offs (yes, i am talking about cut offs here, i think i may have been converted...). Trust me with the right kind of coat it can be warm (it was a weirdly chilly day in sydney yesterday) but it can also be quite cool in summer because of the no-sleeves thing. And I am so much in love that i think i'm going to wear forever. I've dallied with the sleeveless coat before, I remember when I was 14 my friend had a 'dress up as your idol' party, and I went as peaches geldof (cringe, but at 14 she did seem like this beacon of free-spirited, opinionated girl power). I wore a long sleeveless tuxedo coat that my mum wore in the 80s over a tulle skirt and mounds of plastic beads. It wasn't really Peaches at all, but i kind of miss that outfit now. I wonder what happened to that sleeveless jacket? I hope i didn't give it to charity. That would be a real shame.
Summer
Stella Mccartney boots, Michael Kors coat, linea pelle belt, erickson beamon earrings, marc by marc jacobs clutch.
When you wander into the party wearing a cashmere coat and thigh high boots people think you're crazy. A coat? In a club? In summer? What they don't realise at first is that it's sleeveless, and when belted it creeps up your legs keeping you deliciously cool. And those thigh high boots? Well they're not real leather, they're stella mccartney after all. And they're perforated. And even though people don't believe you you actually feel much cooler than all the girls in bodycon dresses and big hair. And there is something to be said for being a little bit different. Last summer when everyone was kitted out in little cocktail dresses and stiletto heels you wore long maxi dresses that swirl around your feet as you walk. This year, though, the party season is all about mis-matched elements and making it all work. Coats and boots in summer? Who would have thought.
Autumn
mawi necklace, acne boots, michael kors coat, a.p.c tee shirt, tsumori chisato skirt, ann demeulemeester waistcoat.
The transition from Summer to Autumn is delicious to behold. The trees start turning ever so slowly into safrony yellows, rich golden oranges and warm burgundies, and then the leaves fall down like gorgeous summer rain. Things are getting cooler, but never uncomfortably so. It's warm enough that you can still spend all day outside, kicking up the leaves with your laced up boots and watching them fly. Still warm enough that you can sit outside at cafes and enjoy the crisp bite of the wind on your face. Still warm enough that you can climb to the top of the eiffel tower and spend hours up there, just looking down at the beautiful winding Parisian streets (i suppose fabulous future me is in Paris now, as you do). You can do all that with a sleeveless coat, a stripey tee shirt, a quilted skirt and, if a little more warmth is needed, a beaded wool crepe waistcoat. Parfait!
Winter
american eagle socks, burberry shoes, miu miu coat, tom ford glasses, acne jumper, dolce and gabbana skirt, h&m circle scarf, lanvin gloves, see by chloe bag.
A sleevelss coat in winter? Who would have thought? Who would have thought you could be so warm in a coat that didn't have any sleeves? But with the right kind of accessories, namely, a big warm scarf, a cosy jumper, elbow length gloves that keep those hands of yours snug, clunky ankle boots with chunky socks. You can clomp around town in this outfit without feeling the least bit chilly, going from interview to interview, meetings, appointments and the odd shopping trip (you NEEDED that topshop dress, you really did!). The best thing about the sleeveless coat is that when you go into a restaurant, or building, (or department store, naturally), that's all heated and warm you can just peel those accessories off and you're not the slightest bit overheated. You really feel for those people who are sweltering in their big coats and thick woollen tights. And you're cool as a cucumber.
Spring
miu miu coat, alexander mcqueen dress, loeffler randal shoes, chanel bag.
Oh spring has sprung! With all the flowers blooming, scents filling the air, cool breezes and hapless spring afternoons you feel so young again! And nothing quite captures how you feel like a patterned shift dress and strappy sandals. At once powerful and practical, both chic and clever. With the sleeveless coat open over your dress, blowing out around you with the spring winds, you can stride around purposefully. Even if you haven't got anything more purposeful to do other than have lazy lunched with friends and spend hours in the grower's market searching out the perfect strawberry. You hear they go wonderfully with champagne. You're not complaining!
X
Sleeveless coat you say? but what, pray tell, is the point of such an item of clothing? Surely it is the most superfluous thing to hit wardrobes since the oversize clutch bag (if you wanted a big clutch wouldn't you just use a normal bag?) But then, superfluous doesn't always mean wrong. Especially in my wardrobe. I was inspired, so inspired in fact that i went and found a coat that i never wore and hacked the sleeves off. The effect was glorious. Suddenly the coat, a drab old swing-cut thing, became at once both grungily chic and filled with gallic charm. I felt like one of those girls who just throw some fabulous piece on over a simple outfit and surprise everyone. I threw it on over my long checked skirt and an assymetrical black silk shirt with the ends flying loose. Then I swaggered off to a friend's picnic in the park all rugged up, comfortable, and hopefully effortless.
I think that the sleeveless coat is the coat for all seasons. You can warm it up in winter with added layers underneath and long elbow length gloves. You can wear it open in autumn so that you're warm, but not too warm. In summer you can belt it as a dress, or just wear it flowing over a sleeveless tank and cut offs (yes, i am talking about cut offs here, i think i may have been converted...). Trust me with the right kind of coat it can be warm (it was a weirdly chilly day in sydney yesterday) but it can also be quite cool in summer because of the no-sleeves thing. And I am so much in love that i think i'm going to wear forever. I've dallied with the sleeveless coat before, I remember when I was 14 my friend had a 'dress up as your idol' party, and I went as peaches geldof (cringe, but at 14 she did seem like this beacon of free-spirited, opinionated girl power). I wore a long sleeveless tuxedo coat that my mum wore in the 80s over a tulle skirt and mounds of plastic beads. It wasn't really Peaches at all, but i kind of miss that outfit now. I wonder what happened to that sleeveless jacket? I hope i didn't give it to charity. That would be a real shame.
Summer
Stella Mccartney boots, Michael Kors coat, linea pelle belt, erickson beamon earrings, marc by marc jacobs clutch. When you wander into the party wearing a cashmere coat and thigh high boots people think you're crazy. A coat? In a club? In summer? What they don't realise at first is that it's sleeveless, and when belted it creeps up your legs keeping you deliciously cool. And those thigh high boots? Well they're not real leather, they're stella mccartney after all. And they're perforated. And even though people don't believe you you actually feel much cooler than all the girls in bodycon dresses and big hair. And there is something to be said for being a little bit different. Last summer when everyone was kitted out in little cocktail dresses and stiletto heels you wore long maxi dresses that swirl around your feet as you walk. This year, though, the party season is all about mis-matched elements and making it all work. Coats and boots in summer? Who would have thought.
Autumn
mawi necklace, acne boots, michael kors coat, a.p.c tee shirt, tsumori chisato skirt, ann demeulemeester waistcoat. The transition from Summer to Autumn is delicious to behold. The trees start turning ever so slowly into safrony yellows, rich golden oranges and warm burgundies, and then the leaves fall down like gorgeous summer rain. Things are getting cooler, but never uncomfortably so. It's warm enough that you can still spend all day outside, kicking up the leaves with your laced up boots and watching them fly. Still warm enough that you can sit outside at cafes and enjoy the crisp bite of the wind on your face. Still warm enough that you can climb to the top of the eiffel tower and spend hours up there, just looking down at the beautiful winding Parisian streets (i suppose fabulous future me is in Paris now, as you do). You can do all that with a sleeveless coat, a stripey tee shirt, a quilted skirt and, if a little more warmth is needed, a beaded wool crepe waistcoat. Parfait!
Winter
american eagle socks, burberry shoes, miu miu coat, tom ford glasses, acne jumper, dolce and gabbana skirt, h&m circle scarf, lanvin gloves, see by chloe bag.A sleevelss coat in winter? Who would have thought? Who would have thought you could be so warm in a coat that didn't have any sleeves? But with the right kind of accessories, namely, a big warm scarf, a cosy jumper, elbow length gloves that keep those hands of yours snug, clunky ankle boots with chunky socks. You can clomp around town in this outfit without feeling the least bit chilly, going from interview to interview, meetings, appointments and the odd shopping trip (you NEEDED that topshop dress, you really did!). The best thing about the sleeveless coat is that when you go into a restaurant, or building, (or department store, naturally), that's all heated and warm you can just peel those accessories off and you're not the slightest bit overheated. You really feel for those people who are sweltering in their big coats and thick woollen tights. And you're cool as a cucumber.
Spring
miu miu coat, alexander mcqueen dress, loeffler randal shoes, chanel bag. Oh spring has sprung! With all the flowers blooming, scents filling the air, cool breezes and hapless spring afternoons you feel so young again! And nothing quite captures how you feel like a patterned shift dress and strappy sandals. At once powerful and practical, both chic and clever. With the sleeveless coat open over your dress, blowing out around you with the spring winds, you can stride around purposefully. Even if you haven't got anything more purposeful to do other than have lazy lunched with friends and spend hours in the grower's market searching out the perfect strawberry. You hear they go wonderfully with champagne. You're not complaining!
X
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