Desperately Seeking Everyday Glamour!

The holidays are over, and spring is three months away. Fashion magic is required more than ever. Even though it’s been a mild winter thus far, we will eventually need to brace the elements in weather-ready clothing. Whether 50 degrees or 5, coats serve as a protective cocoon. They are the most essential part of your wardrobe. Why shouldn’t they also be sensational?

I am a big believer in investing in outerwear and making it the focus of the entire outfit. Your coat is the first thing, if not the only thing, most people see, especially in the cold weather. When you have a great coat or jacket, you can wear the simplest of wardrobe basics, and you are instantly pulled together.

This hip-length jacket, La Vest Piloni, is by Jacquemus. It is made in France of midweight shearling lamb in a vibrant shade of purple and proves the old adage that “good things come in small packages. Priced at $3505, it is for sale at fwrd.com.

Stay warm head-to-toe and turn heads in Norma Kamali’s Long Sleeping Bag Coat. This classic style, in show-stopping red, is ideal for full-length coverage in the cold winter weather. It can be worn belted or unbelted. Best of all, it’s been reduced from $800 to $400 and is for sale on normakamali.com.

Sacai’s Abe Chitose is known for creating innovative creations that blur the lines between casual and formal attire and employing unique textures and patterns to craft an avant-garde look. This fabulous padded cotton and nylon trench coat, a standout from the fall 2022 ready-to-wear collection, is an example of Chitose’s inventive hybridizations. It is reduced from $3484 – $2789 and is for sale on farfetch.com.

There are bombers and parkas, then there are Rick Owens’ clever iterations. Owens’ Alice Gauntlet Parka Jacket is made of certified black organic cotton nylon faille and ivory Palinoro lamb shearling. The body and hood, which can be unzipped entirely to create a wide collar falling over the shoulders, are lined in lamb shearling. Sensational! Priced at $5700, it is for sale at antidotestyle.com.

Rick Owens’ Jumbo Gauntlet Parka in pearl and aqua cotton nylon faille and palinoro lamb shearling is another perfect example of Rick’s brilliant artistry and his ability to merge utilitarian with glamour. It is currently reduced by 40%, from $4800 – $2880, and available at rickowens.eu.

Nothing is more glamorous than a leopard coat. Widely renowned for its innovative designs and vivid palettes, this coat from Forte Forte showcases the brand’s unique style. In a warm virgin wool blend, this coat boasts a front button fastening and stands out thanks to its all-over leopard print. I love the oversized scale of the print. Priced at $1050 it’s available at farfetch.com.

This chic red tartan Louis Vuitton coat, seen on the Fall 2004 runway, is trimmed with a massive fitch collar and cuffs. It is sized French 34, fully lined, and closes with the matching belt. Priced at $38,000, it is for sale at 1stdibs.com

Dots are always appealing, but they are of the moment thanks to the just-launched collaboration between Louis Vuitton and Yayoi Kusama, the irreverent 94-year-old artist known for her obsession with repeating dot patterns.

It’s hard not to smile when I see Kate Spade’s Giant Dot Coat. It is made of a wool blend that hits above the knee and has a matching belt. Priced at $595, it is for sale at katespade.com.

Frequently, something is jaw-dropping by its simplicity. I can’t think of winter and apres skiing without considering the iconic images of Audrey Hepburn wearing her dark brown mink pullover, oversized sunglasses, narrow black pants, and flat black boots. It has an enduring appeal that speaks volumes.

One of the most reasonable facsimiles I’ve found is MME. Mink’s MME. BIRK SABLE faux mink poncho. It t is very soft, lightweight, warm, and it looks and feels natural. Priced at $425, it is for sale at mmemink.com.

The poncho is also offered in black (“noir”) for $535. For those who want the real thing, Jan Haedrich (aka MME. MINK) offers a version of recycled vintage mink priced at $1500.

What to wear on your feet? You need to be grounded of course. The most iconic, glamorous and practical boots out there are Roger Vivier’s Viv’ Go-Thick Metal, and Rhinestone Buckle Stretch Boots. Priced respectively at $1695 and $2195, they are for sale at rogervivier.com.

Meanwhile, like many others, I tuned in to watch the 80th Golden Globe Awards. I thought the red carpet was a predictable parade of borrowed, expensive, unflattering frocks, a sea of drowning expectations. What’s of more interest to me is finding glamour in the everyday. The mix of glamour and practicality is hard to beat.

Latest Comments:

1. 

   I look forward to every article. Thank you.

2. 

   Mary McFadden Designs were sumptuously BEAUTIFUL as is your tribute to her

3. 

   I feel as if my words were delivered by you, Marilyn! Our time was vibrant with beauty as part of…

4. 

   Great insights into New York Fashion Week—finding standout pieces is key!

5. 

   Laurel Marcus…..loved this article, wish I knew about this show. Please do more of this!

6. 

   Armani is an icon embodied with transcending style that manifests as beauty!

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   Designs by Cyril Verdavainne IMPRESSED me!