November: Coated in colour
At the market, in rich late afternoon light, I saw that women were applying colour in their outerwear, as if to postpone the wave of winter black. The same palette I admired in pots of mums showed up in coats; les Montréalaises style their outerwear superbly. Why not, in a city where winter will last five months?
Another pink coat; and notice her glasses frames!
I loved her combination of an oatmeal coat, deep burgundy scarf and mauve hat:
Black and grey, yes, but not so basic when showing up as a "fur"! Accessorized with an Aran-knit beanie and big café au lait scarf:
But there is also charm in coordination; she matched her periwinkle topper to her socks. A colour I would not think to wear in November—and how appealing!
Returning home, I opened my closet to a sea of dark and now wish I had a coloured winter coat, a lemon drop for the soul.
Trying to avoid wool, though, as the odd moth is still in attendance.
The shiny finish on her fuchsia jacket popped that pink:
Another pink coat; and notice her glasses frames!
I loved her combination of an oatmeal coat, deep burgundy scarf and mauve hat:
Pumpkin jacket, taupe scarf and wristwarmers, a cream hat: so pretty!
Black and grey, yes, but not so basic when showing up as a "fur"! Accessorized with an Aran-knit beanie and big café au lait scarf:
But there is also charm in coordination; she matched her periwinkle topper to her socks. A colour I would not think to wear in November—and how appealing!
Returning home, I opened my closet to a sea of dark and now wish I had a coloured winter coat, a lemon drop for the soul.
Trying to avoid wool, though, as the odd moth is still in attendance.
Comments
I bought a bright yellow purse a few months ago, thinking I would only carry it during summer and EARLY fall. Now, however I love carrying it during these dark days, I'll probably continue to carry it all winter!
My coats are all black or gray. No need for really warm coats here. Warm dressy coats aren't even sold in Texas.
The colors in your photos are delightful! Good luck with the moths. I am ever vigilant as I know you are.
I think colour does elevate the mood in winter.
You just might want to cruise the shops and see what you might be tempted by...
LauraH and Beth: Yes, but that is a •very• lightweight spring jacket, can even be worn indoors. In winter, it could be a layer under a wool coat but is too thin to wear on its own.
une femme: Thanks, I think they are fabulous women!
Susan: My TX family wear the occasional coat-khaki, palest green and one has a Prince of Wales I deeply admire. Still killing the occasional moth so the SOBs are still in the apt. but I will prevail.
materfamilias: I love navy for pea coats, and really have no space for extras. If you do, turquoise is such a beautiful hue.
LPC: I remember photo of you in London in that coat- gorgeous colour!
Jean S: Same here, at least by Jan-Feb! Women do wear colourful scarves but there is plenty of all black.
hostess: I am not a frequent shopper but passed up a terrific one last winter in post-Christmas sales!
Mary: I like mine too but by February could just about bin it.
Beth: See my comment to LauraH; it is inadequate for cold weather, more like wearing a midweight sweater. But beautiful colour and perfect for spring.
No, except for our last horrific winter, our winters no longer last five months. I don't understand the desire to overstate things and make them even worse than they are; not speaking of Duchesse - not usually her schtick - but in general. The weather is still quite decent, in November.
All black is tedious, but I hate pastels.
Last weekend, in the mountains, there was snow and we needed our winter gear. There are ups and downs, but if it feels like winter... I enjoy the season and have no complaint.
I'm a bit one for wearing colour when others are wearing black (i.e. winter coats and LBDs). My winter coat for the past few years has been a deep fuschia colour and I get lots of complements on it. My Autumn coat/cloak is chocolate brown. I did have a black and white dogtooth check coat too, but it was cheap and it pilled too much.
The problem with them is that they are made for winter, but not northeastern US/Canadian ones, which are more severe. The manager told me MM had to put an extra lining in its coats for the Cdn market, and even then it was warm but not Everest-warm, which you need sometimes here, if you are staying outside.
I would love the coat you picked, and you prove another point: dye quality which produces more subtle and nuanced colour is the overlooked advantage of a higher price point.