Mac coat, £90
I am pleased as punch with this men’s mackintosh-style jacket I picked up in Gap last week. For about two years I’ve been filling the major gaps in my wardrobe with so-called “classic” pieces – you know what I mean, navy sweaters and black shoes and black jeans, that kind of stuff.
And a thing I love the look of is a trench coat but I look so genuinely awful in an actual trench coat with all the flappy wide lapels and epaulettes and belts. It’s a garment that seems to have been designed to look terrible on me.
But this mac, something that Columbo might wear, is entirely different and looks terrific and, actually, being a man’s coat, is sort of wrongly-shaped and oversized, which is in fact very modern. Look, I don’t make the rules okay? I am a 10-12 and got this in an XS.
It comes with a removable inner padded bomber jacket, which is actually rather fortunate as I know we’re all supposed to be wearing bomber jackets this year, but I sort of can’t bear the idea. But now this one has landed at my feet more or less for free and I find that actually to wear on its own it’s not as frightening as I had assumed.
In the spring I will be wearing this mac with a striped top and some red beads because, sometimes, there’s something just really pleasing about classic combinations, like breton stripe and trench, white shirt and blue jeans. Curry and beer. You know?
Breton top, Zara £17.99; Skirt, TopShop £25; UGG Adirondacks on sale £139; Satchel, Tustig £390. I HAVE just had a haircut, yes – thanks for noticing! Nadia at John Frieda: an angel sent from heaven to do hair better than anyone else.
I was desperate, mainly because everything was in the wash, for a new denim/chambray shirt last week and tried Gap, thinking they’d be overflowing with them, but no. Ended up with mens small sized one for about 75% off from their mad racks of sale bits and it’s just the thing. Sometimes I want everything from there, other times, it’s all a bit of a bomb site.
Kristy this is so true
Unrelated, Esther, but I don’t suppose you’d consider writing a piece on which, if any, aftershaves WOMEN prefer on MEN? Only my birthday’s coming up and, well … Anyway, just a thought – no pressure.
Terre d’Hermes by Hermes or Black Orchid by Tom Ford. These are really evening scents only though. I think Acqua di Parma smells great on men and it’s good for the daytime. They have several different kinds as well as the original.
Ian – Trumper, especially Astor & Wellington.
Esther – agree absolutely about trenches. I have eyed up Burberries for aeons but they have always made me look like a sack tied in the middle, even when I was London-skinny. Glad it’s not just me!
Oh, thank you, Esther – and especially for replying so quickly. I’ve just had a quick look at Acqua di Parma’s website and I’m sure I’ll find something in their range when I test them. Ideally, I’m looking for a blend of petrichor, vellichor, humidor and thermidor 😉
only sensible
And thank you too, Sophie. Very kind of you. I’ll definitely test Trumper’s, including Astor & Wellington.
Aqua di Parma ARANCIA DI CAPRI makes my knees go a wee bit weak. I’m all for the fresher scents on a man, and have been known to wear it myself …
Crikey Kristy, that’s JUST the type of response I was hoping for, thank you! I’ll definitely test Aqua di Parma Arancia di Capri and will keep my fingers crossed it has the same effect on Mrs B 😉
Crikey. I love this look. Going to be copying asap
Two looks for the price of one, you are so thrifty and wise!! Did you take any pics wearing the bomber jacket bit yet??