One of my favourite films is Doctor Zhivago. The scene with Lara and Yuri going into the frozen palace, with twinkly frozen chandeliers overhead and a thick dusting of snow on every regal surface is pure cinema magic. The costumes in the film heavily influenced Marc Bohan, whose 1966 Christian Dior collection was full of references to the film (Marc Bohan and I happen to share a birthday; he’s by far my favourite Dior designer). I have always wanted a furry pillbox-style Russian hat like the ones Lara wears in the film, but of course would never wear real fur.
Recently, the lovely people at sustainable faux-fur brand Helen Moore asked me to choose something, so I jumped at this hat in the warmest colourway (given my spring palette). I love the matching furry bag too; it is so different from the rainbow striped honeypot bag which you’ve seen before here (for the record, this bag is perhaps my most complimented accessory, everyone stops me to ask about it!). The rainbow honeypot still looks brand new despite heavy use and lots of travel. The quality of Helen Moore’s range is superb; even the linings are soft and strong. Also, it is a small woman-owned business, and you know how I love to fly the flag for them.
The coat I’m wearing here I’ve had and loved for 25 years (the lining has been replaced twice), but the black is now really, really ageing on me. I see lines and shadows on my face that usually aren’t there because the colour reflects up onto my skin and emphasises them. I put on lots of gold jewellery and more makeup than usual to add some colour and warmth around my face, but on me, black is a vortex that drains the life out of my skin. In the future, I’ll wear these furry Ocelot-print accessories with brown rather than black… much more forgiving.
Sometimes I wish I’d never met the alchemists of colour at Red Leopard because they’ve ruined half of my wardrobe for me! On the plus side, every single new purchase is a winner because I never make mistakes (aka regrets) with colour now. I’m using scarves more and more to colour-correct the black items that I simply can’t bear to part with…yet. I mean, just look at the lapels on this coat (below). I adore them, and I’ve adored them since I first saw this coat when I was 25 and living in South Africa where I barely even needed a coat!
Thank you to Helen Moore, who I had the pleasure of finally meeting last week, for gifting these beautifully made pieces. I’m thrilled to finally have my Doctor Zhivago hat! It will be on heavy rotation in the cold weather ahead.
Outfit Details:
Coat- Ancient
Sunglasses- Miu Miu Noir
Bag and Hat-Helen Moore
Shoes- Lotus
linking to: stylesplash, notdeadyetstyle, notdressedaslamb
38 Comments
Jan
November 17, 2019 at 12:44 PMLooove the hat and bag. And very interesting remarks about your palette. I’m going to be on watch about black now but as a Winter, even at 65, I think black’s still dandy for me. I have it on my wish list to go to Red Leopard when I have a London trip.
Lisa
November 17, 2019 at 1:01 PMThank you Jan! I love them too.
Yes you’re a very different colouring from me and can wear black well. One of the Red Leopard ladies is amazing in black and jewel tones, you’ll see when you come! xx
Jan
November 17, 2019 at 3:10 PMJust went to the Helen Moore site and am now dreamy about the Ebony version of your bag with the plum satin lining.
Lisa
November 17, 2019 at 5:43 PMIt is a dangerous site, Jan. Everything is so gorgeous and fun. The collars with buckles on them also have me weak in the knees. Yes, the Ebony bag is also elegant and fun!! xx
Lea
November 17, 2019 at 4:49 PMI understand your reluctance to wear black now, but this coat looks so good on you… please don’t get rid of it just yet! You do look fabulous in those spring colours but I believe one is allowed a few “off-colour” friends 🙂
Lisa
November 17, 2019 at 5:40 PMI don’t know if I can ever get rid of this coat, Lea. I’ve had it longer than I’ve been married! I also have a black PVC crocodile coat that I love so much I can’t even imagine my life without it. I promised to keep a few “off colour” friends 🙂 xx
Catherine, Not Dressed As Lamb
November 17, 2019 at 12:57 PMI am TOTALLY with you on the Helen Moore fandom front, Lisa – their colour choices are amazing and the quality is second to none!
Well done on choosing Dr Zhivago as inspiration, I also loved that film as a kid and was 100% into Julie Christie’s look (my mother loved Omar Sharif so of course I too thought he was especially handsome, hehe).
The hat is incredible on you, what a perfect choice with your coat! Don’t give up wearing it – it obviously still brings you joy (and OMG the lapels, you’re so right) – who gives a toss about it not necessarily being your best colour any more…? Just enjoy it!!!
Catherine x
Lisa
November 17, 2019 at 6:01 PMThe quality of Helen Moore is just incredible, isn’t it? My rainbow one is absolutely pristine despite being carried on repeat. The hat is so warm, I’ll probably not take it off in Austria 😀
I will keep this coat until it falls apart; we have such history together! I can’t deny my orange one looks 1000% better on me in terms of colour, but the style of this one is much better. I’ll be wearing it with scarves and brighter things in the future. xx
MT
November 17, 2019 at 1:25 PMYou think black is harsh on you Lisa? I disagree, (at least in this case) you look AMAZING to me! Wow that hat too, what a beauty.
You can’t go wrong with a long black coat, can you? I think it’s a wardrobe staple although I ditched my very old raggedy black coat two years ago and replaced it with navy. So I do understand where you’re coming from but boy do I admire your committment to longevity with this one. It’s a fabulous statement coat, well worth the cost of an occasional tune up.
Lisa
November 17, 2019 at 5:48 PMThank you, Michelle! I adore the hat too. I’ve decided when I next get an investment coat, I’ll do a warmer shade like a chocolate brown. When you see the colours black and brown “better one or better two” like in an eye doctor’s office, then you REALLY see the effect black has on my (old, white!) skin. It is fine for photos, but I’ll definitely not be adding any more to my closet. I have too much as it is. Red, warm green, turquoise, yellow, orange, brown, camel, almost anything looks better! xx
Nancy
November 17, 2019 at 4:05 PMI adore black and almost always think it looks good on anyone. I believe the black, gorgeous, coat looks very cool sexy, feminine and elegant on you. I’m sorry to hear you don’t agree. The hat is fantastic!
Lisa
November 17, 2019 at 5:42 PMI love everything about the coat except how it looks with my skin. I have an orange coat that does the opposite for my face of what this one does… you’d only notice it if you saw the difference between them side by side. I do love black, and had a wardrobe full of it for years! Isn’t the hat amazing?? I’m crazy about it. Thank you, Nancy xx
Susan B
November 17, 2019 at 5:10 PMOh, that hat is perfect! I loved Dr. Zhivago and have watched it many times over the years. The costumes, the sets, so sweeping and inspiring. I have my eye on that bag, too. 😉
Susan B
November 17, 2019 at 5:12 PMAnd yes, I’ve been having some of the same challenges with my favorite black pieces that I’ve hung onto. I ADORE the drama of it, but can’t unsee the effect on my skin…
Lisa
November 17, 2019 at 5:36 PMYes, exactly the same here, Susan. Once you’ve been ‘scarfed’ you can’t deny the difference on your skin the “right” colours make. xx
Lisa
November 17, 2019 at 5:37 PMI highly recommend the bag; it is so well made and the colours go with so many things. I’m just swooning over the hat 🙂 xx
Valerie P Drake
November 17, 2019 at 5:58 PMCan you find someone to take apart the black coat and recreate it in brown? Would probably cost a pretty penny, but worth it if you then have a coat whose design you love, in a color that brings out your best features!
Lisa
November 17, 2019 at 6:14 PMYes, I have the perfect lady here in London who is brilliant at doing this; I’ll for sure have it done when I can afford it. The fabric will be as expensive as the construction, I imagine. This one is cashmere and alpaca, and is so warm and shiny. I dearly love it, but the colour doesn’t love me! xx
whatlizzyloves
November 17, 2019 at 6:03 PMYou look stunning Lisa. Your ocelot accessories are beautiful. I hear what you’re saying about black. I don’t often wear it for the same reason, but I have to say, I cannot see a single wrinkle or shadow on your gorgeous face xxx
Lisa
November 17, 2019 at 6:07 PMOh, thank you, but you should see the photos I didn’t include! The lines from my nose down to the corners of the mouth make me look like a puppet. I love black; it doesn’t love me. xx
1010parkplace
November 17, 2019 at 7:23 PMOf course I can’t tell from the photo but take your word that black drains the color from your face. I think you look smashing! And that hat!!! We all have the marionette lines. Some of the women I know have had them filled and they’re wishing they’d left them alone. I’m just grateful I’m still here. xoxox, Brenda
Lisa
November 17, 2019 at 9:10 PMI chose the photos carefully, all the haggiest ones were deleted, of course! Thank you, Brenda! Isn’t the hat amazing? I’m so thrilled with it. xx
LA CONTESSA
November 17, 2019 at 8:21 PMBEAUTIFUL!
Check out Peruvian Connection HATS TOO!GUESS KATE HAS ONE!
YOU WILL BE THE HITOF THE SCHOOL PICK UP YARD!
I have that print in a throw blanket…………I better dig it out right away!
I SEE NO DRAINING GOING ON!!!!
BUT BROWN WOULD BE SMASHING!
HUGS,
XOXO
Lisa
November 17, 2019 at 9:11 PMI’ll have a look at Peruvian Connection. I can say on the FREEZING cold day we took these photos, my ears and head were toasty and warm. I see more Dr Zhivago hats in my future! Love to you xx
Greetje
November 18, 2019 at 8:08 PMYou do look rich and a bit classy Russian. I love all the pieces you are wearing. You will turn heads wearing this. I have done the colour test as well. Black and white are bad colours for me but sometimes a piece of clothing makes up for the lines it creates in my face by being so darned fabulous. Like your coat. So just wear it. Oh and both red and green are great with your new hat as well.
Greetje
Lisa
November 18, 2019 at 9:21 PMYeah, exactly that, Greetje. Sometimes something is so fabulous it makes up for the lines it creates. The same with my black PVC Miu Miu faux crocodile coat, which I’ll never ever give up. I love it so much I don’t care if I look like a hag in it! I shall definitely try the Ocelot print with red (I’ve got loads of that) and green… and brown at some point. Thank you lovely lady xx
Jenni @ I on Image
November 19, 2019 at 11:35 AMLoving the look Lisa!
Lisa
November 19, 2019 at 9:02 PMThank you so much, Jenni! xx
Suzy Turner
November 20, 2019 at 11:44 AMWOW…. just…. WOW! You look bloody gorgeous, Lisa!
Hugs
Suzy xxx
Lisa
November 24, 2019 at 1:24 PMOh Suzy, thank you so much, my love!!! xx
Samantha Blair
November 22, 2019 at 11:41 AMGawdzooks Lisa!
You’re flipping gorgeous here… like a multi-millionairess international film star… I love it!
I am immediately digging out my bright red russian hat and white military coat to blatantly copy your fabulous style.
Shameless but necessary!
XXX
Samantha
Lisa
November 24, 2019 at 1:26 PMThank you so much, Sam! I am ALREADY jealous of your red Russian hat and white military coat, that sounds incredible. xx
thestylesplash
November 26, 2019 at 1:26 PMThat has to be the most glamorous way to keep warm in Winter! I love the faux fur hat and bag, and the coat is gorgeous – I probably wouldn’t have noticed the fabulous lapels if you hadn’t mentioned them. I know what you mean about black though, I’m finding that it drains me too now, especially under grey skies. Thanks for linking up!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
Lisa
November 27, 2019 at 8:09 PMThank you, Emma! I’m pretty nuts about the hat and bag. I’m quite envious of Catherine’s buckled collar too 🙂 xx
mireilleftm
January 8, 2020 at 2:37 PMSuch a classy look! It looks so warm and do love the addition of the gold jewelry!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Lisa
January 20, 2020 at 2:05 PMThanks so much, Mireille! xx
Anna Marcus
November 11, 2020 at 5:47 AMVery elegant look. The coat is fabulous and the whole outfit has a strong Russian influence
Lisa
December 27, 2020 at 12:20 PMThank you, Anna!xx