.... sorted.
Yes, you read that correctly. I've got myself my winter coat. It's the first week of August and I've done my coat shopping for autumn/winter 2015. Pat on the back for me :o) And an extra pat on the back that I managed to make it a camel one.
Where's it from you may wonder? It's from Primark folks - the last place I expected to find a camel coat. It obviously didn't cost the earth and because of that it's 100% wool free :o) But despite that, it feels okay, looks okay and I'm happy enough to keep it. I don't imagine the fabric will wear fantastically (time will tell) but wasn't there a lovely looking camel coat from Zara a couple of years ago which cost substantially more and wore substantially badly and suffered from "pill-i-itis? I do believe there was!
And for half the price of the current Topshop offering which coincidentally is also 100% wool free, I think it holds it's own for £25.
Now let me tell you a few things :
- I'm wearing a size 10, it finishes on my knee and fits comfortably on the shoulders.
- The fit is a little slouchy on me which means that it allows for the all important jumper to be worn under it and the bonus is the sleeves are not cut too tight.
- I will have to alter the sleeves as they are a touch long on me but I've tucked them underneath for the benefit of these pics.
- It actually has three press stud fastenings. I know you can only see one. I whipped the other's off for a good reason as they finished at the wrong point on me and looked wrong - they made it more obvious that the coat was designed for someone a fraction taller.
- To get rid of the marks where the press studs have been, I steamed the fabric to bring up the pile on the fabric where it had previously been flattened. See if you can spot the marks (bet you can't).
- The material is quite light and soft and consequently, it has a more relaxed feel to it, I can wear this with more casual clothes which I couldn't do with the coat I found from M&S last year (here) which I had to return.
- This is definitely not a heavy duty keep you warm coat. That's what I have my parka for!
All that aside - it's not a bad little bargain! So nip down quickly to store if you fancy a little camel coat for a not too bad price. Besides which, they will probably be sold out by the second week of August!
I'm impressed you bought this in the reasonable amount of heat we had today! But looks great - can't believe it's Primark, thought it was Marks and Spencer!
ReplyDeleteSaskia / girlinbrogues.com
I took the pictures on Friday ... it was really warm so I do believe I look a bit grumpy. I took them as quick as possible and whipped the coat off again! Why do I do these things?
DeleteThe daughter came home with that coat earlier in the week and I told her she was a nutter so I guess that makes you a nutter too. Or are you just clever!!!
ReplyDeleteWe are both genii!
DeleteThat is just the sort of mad thing I would do. Currently sitting in 30 degree heat and just bought a black jumper. Not that you have to justify but that coat is definitely going to work hard for you and what's more you will wear it loads more because it was a total bargain. The epitome of "throw on"
ReplyDeleteIf the right thing comes along - just go for it. That's my motto. Which is why I chose summer sandals for my Christmas present last year. And sometimes, the best things are available when you least expect them to turn up. You're totally right about the coat being a "throw on" item though. It wasn't expensive which means I'm not precious about it and I'm much more likely to grab it out of the wardrobe and go!
DeleteLovely find Sue! I'm glad I'm not the only nutter trying on winter coats, I really NEED a camel coat this winter. This is such a lovely shape and on you xx
ReplyDeleteI know you're taller than me Sue but for a little bargain coat, it would be worth a little look as it would suit someone taller than me better. I just have to wear mine a little slouchier but I'm a little scruff anyway :)
DeleteJeepers Sue....you are well and truly ahead of the game on the coat front! What a fab find, I don't blame you for seizing the opportunity and snapping it up in the height of summer! I'm just starting to think ahead to autumn but it's been more about footwear, boots that I could wear now on the not so good days!! Just hope I don't peak too soon with the A/W purchases as there so many gorgeous things bloggers are tempting me with at the mo! xx
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, I've not been tempted by that much. The things I like all look like dupes of things which I already have which makes no sense in buying them again. But I like to find that something which takes over from the Stans which dominated the shoe front last year for me. I wonder what that wonder shoe will be this year?
DeleteWhat an amazing find Sue!! It looks so expensive and not at all like it comes from Primark. Great idea to take off the press studs....I couldn't see a mark on it. You're a genius....you've got a brilliant wardrobe staple there and saved yourself a fortune! You deserve new shoes as a reward :) Ax
ReplyDeleteIf I'd left the other press studs on, the middle one would have sat too low on me and below my natural waistline which make it look all wrong. But I carefully unpicked one stud to see how the material looked underneath before I totally went for it.
DeleteAnd I love your thinking - I do deserve new shoes as a reward!
Wow Sue, camel looks amazing on you, you lucky gal!
ReplyDeleteI totally understand your need to shop for coats and winter clothes in August, I have a well documented tendency to do that too.
I've replentished my jumper collection already this summer, and now I'm keeping an eye on the coat offerings, although I'm still confused as to what I want/need (navy fur jacket? cocoon coat? classic grey coat?) See what I mean? This could end dangerously...
Funny things are camel coats. They have to be the right shade and the right cut for you and your body and your lifestyle. So the ultimate Maxmara one might still not be right for me even if I could afford one which I can't. And I can't help you on the coat front apart from buy one of everything so you have all your bases covered!
DeleteYes, another winner! And good work being so organised. I always hunt for a good camel coat each winter with no luck. I tried on the Topshop coat you mention recently, but found even the smallest sizes a bit baggy and shapeless. The search continues...
ReplyDeleteI tried the Topshop version last year and it didn't work on me either. I wasn't really looking when I spotted this one as I'd given up on the whole camel coat shenanigans but like they say, things like this always turn up when you least expect them to. Good luck on your search - it's a difficult one!
DeleteBargain. You make it look expensive and lush. Nifty idea with the fastenings, I like it a lot. H xxx
ReplyDeleteI had that problem with some of the other coats I tried on last year but I couldn't get the button/stud placement right on those so I had to leave them. But this little camel coat will serve me just fine as I won't be subjecting it to heavy wear - it's just nice to have options. It's all people see on the school run in the colder months.
DeleteLive this Sue. Well spotted! May have to cancel my order with Boden now...
ReplyDeleteAh ... it will depend on the fit. You try out your Boden one first - you might just love it and that will be it!
DeleteYou are so good at finding bargains that have an expensive air about them, great find and press button removal. Sue does it again!! x
ReplyDeleteI like a quick thrill sometimes and I've spent too much time pondering the perfect camel coat but to be honest, this will be perfect for my needs. It's light and easy to throw on and I don't need to be precious about it which means I will get more wear out of it. If I had a Maxmara ... I wouldn't dare wear it!
DeleteOh I LOVE IT!!! Not dissimilar to the much more expensive one being released in the Hush AW collection which I did have my eye on...I love the baggy casual feel too - means I can easily shrug it on and off over anything?! Shame I am away right now or I would be down to Primark in a flash...xxxx
ReplyDeleteI've not seen any of the Hush AW collection at all and I just did a google to see if I could see it but alas I came up with nothing. Its probably a bit more lush than the one I have but I know I wouldn't get the wear out of an expensve one.
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