Thrift A Winning Statement Coat
Who doesn’t love a winning statement coat?
If you’re looking for a brilliant place to scoop up your own at a fraction of the price of retail consider shopping thrift or consignment. The environment and your pocketbook will thank you.
Here are some of the fantastic statement coats I’ve thrifted in the past few months, some of which I’ll be keeping and some of which I’ve listed in my Etsy store.
This coat below needs no introduction since I stalked it at Anthropologie for over a year. The thrifting Gods were smiling on me that day at Talize when I spotted this in the racks. The fact that it fit me was a huge bonus.
Anthropologie Leopardlily Coat
Black And White Vintage
I already own a black and white gingham maxi coat for winter which I love.
But that didn’t stop me from purchasing this lighter shorter version.
Something about gingham makes me feel wonderfully French.
One-of-a-kind
After thrifting this khaki jacket below I knew it was the perfect canvas to iron on some quirky patches and make it a one-of-a-kind piece.
This vintage tapestry parka is older than me, possibly much older.
I had to stitch up some inner seams on one sleeve but otherwise it is in mint shape. I spotted it just as it was going out onto the thrift store floor. SCORE!!! I’ve been wearing this often this winter. It is casual and comfy but has some panache.
I wore it with my skirt and boots too.
Poncho Style
I really loved this poncho below because it has arm holes so it is a cross between a poncho and a sweater. I haven’t been getting much wear out of it though so I wouldn’t be surprised to see this pop up in the Etsy store soon.
Vintage Leather Trench Coat
Leather trench coats are a weakness of mine. This caramel one is one of the latest additions to my collection.
Mad For Plaid
I adore this multicoloured plaid wool statement coat.
Don’t the red boots pop? They have sold but the coat is still available.
Floral Coat For Spring
This is another beautiful light spring/summer statement coat that has since sold.
Classic Jean Trench Coat
I already own a classic jean trench coat which I wear often so I didn’t feel the need to keep this one which has also sold.
Bold Pink Trench Coat
This pink London Fog trench coat is currently for sale. Bright coats are such a nice surprise on a grey day.
This is of course only a glimpse of the many coats I’ve thrifted.
I’ve since added quite a few more both to my Etsy shop (and still have more to list) and to my personal collection.
Do you own a winning statement coat?
If you liked this post you might be interested in these;
Fall coats from my Etsy store and collection.
How to choose a long winter coat.
Winter statement coats and vinyl raincoat.
You might also like to pop by and visit Elle, a bloggy friend of mine that also posted today about her incredible collection of statement coats.
Linking up with the lovely Judith over at Hat Attack.
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When Patterns Don’t Flatter – Which Dress Did I Keep?
When Patterns Don’t Flatter
I’ve written about the ability patterns have to visually camouflage and challenge our perception of depth. They are ideal for creating leaner silhouettes by tricking the eye.
I purchased two lovely vintage dressed about five months ago at the Toronto Vintage Clothing Show, neither of which I’d photographed myself wearing until recently.
Needless to say when I saw the photos my opinion about the dresses changed.
Don’t you hate it when that happens?
Ugh!
Dress #1
This 1960s cheongsam dress ticked all the right boxes for me.
The colours and graphic design seduced me into panic buying it at the very last minute as the vendors began closing up their booths.
Dress #2
I also bought a “wild and crazy” maxi dress from the 70’s.
No surprise there as I have a weakness for this type of dress. They command attention while allowing me to indulge in as many desserts as I like.
The cold and somewhat putrid “greige” colours on this maxi were not ideal for me.
Colours like this next to my face make me look like I’ve spent eight hours on a boat in Hawaii deep sea fishing, desperately trying not to hurl or throw myself overboad in an attempt to tranquillize my raging hangover after tying one too many on the night before. AKA drinking three times my weight in shots of tequila. (Ah sweet memories of my youth.)
Nope…deeper, darker jewel tone colours look better on me. This is what they mean when they tell you as you get older you get wiser, you know not to go deep sea fishing after a night of partying or wear faded repulsive colours next to your face.
Apparently I haven’t allowed all my 51 years of wisdom to sink in yet and took one last hit of retail therapy before the show closed and the dress came home with me regardless.
Dress #1
Let’s talk about the negative space issue of dress #1.
It’s a problem for me.
It is hitting me all places it shouldn’t.
I need that negative space in my mid section and thighs. Instead, the graphic pattern and bright colours framed by negative space create a convex illusion at my waist.
What about the shape of the dress?
Although the shape of the dress was okay for my body type it wasn’t doing me any favours either. Pumps would be necessary to elongate my legs which means no booties or ankle straps. The amount of wear I’d get out of this dress was diminishing as was my self confidence.
Did I make the right choice buying this dress?
Dress #2
Although I wasn’t sure of the colours on this dress the orange is near my face, not the greige so that works. The pattern draws the eyes upwards to my face in what almost looks like an inverted chest cavity. It’s a bit freaky but kind of cool at the same time, like I have a full body tattoo.
The dress works very well with my little blue velvet Elvis booties and as I mentioned before, I can eat and move with abandon.
Which dress did I choose to keep and which dress did I choose to sell?
So?
Which one would you have kept?
If you guessed the Asian cheongsam is now for sale you are one smart cookie!
Bravo!
Go get yourself a treat. On me.
Whatever you have in the cupboard that you know you shouldn’t be eating will work nicely. I promise you won’t gain an ounce. This is my gift to you. You earned it.
If you had asked me before I took these photos which dress I’d be keeping it would have been the other way around.
The camera certainly shines another light on our perception.
Although I love patterns they don’t always flatter our bodies depending on negative space and pattern placement.
4 Tips To Choosing The Right Pattern For Yourself
- Dark negative space will create visual recesses. Ideally this should be placed at the waist or on the sides of a dress.
- Colourful graphic images or patterns sandwiched between negative spaces will draw the eyes in and add visual weight. Negative space is a visual frame drawing the eyes towards the centre of the frame.
- Balanced overall pattern (especially when smaller) will read as a solid to the eyes.
- Large bold graphic patterns can work as long as their lines create figure flattering curves. Lines, curves, highlights and lowlights on patterns all direct the eyes and can create optical illusions. Make sure the pattern accentuates all you love about your body.
Something to think about the next time you’re making an impulse buy at a vintage show.
Have you ever changed your mind about a piece of clothing after you saw photos of yourself wearing it?
Linking up with the lovely Patti over at Visible Monday.
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