Apologies for my couple of weeks absence on the blog. Getting my son (and myself) settled back in after being away for so long over the holidays took some time. Then we got a bunny (more on him in a future post) and I wanted to get him all settled in and happy too. On the only day I had free to take photos there were 20 mile an hour winds, so I shall just apologise in advance for my windblown hair, and leave it at that. What else can you do!?
Almost a facepalm emoji
As the days start to get longer and we begin to see spring on the horizon, I want to address the seasonal topic of rain coats. The humble rain coat may be one of fashion’s most utilitarian items, but it needn’t be boring. Now, I have the traditional khaki trench coat, and I hardly ever wear it. The paper bag colour is terribly draining on my pale skin… especially at this time of year. I feel like it ages me from the second I put it on. French women are good at classic trench chic, but I don’t have French colouring so I can’t quite pull it off. I sure don’t feel very glamorous in it, so the dreary-coloured trench mostly hangs in my closet. On a rainy day, I like to feel more rainbow, less cloud. Cue the statement rain coat. This little red vinyl beauty is from ASOS. It has been sold out three times already, but it is currently back in stock (edit: as I wrote this post, it sold out again, sorry!). If you like it as much as I do, check back frequently and act quickly. I’ll Tweet and post on my Facebook page when it comes back in. The black version is Emma-Peel-fabulous too, but I can’t justify it when I already have this one. This trench has all the traditional details (double-breasted, shoulder storm-flap, belt, pockets, buckled wrist straps) but in a decidedly non-traditional colour and material. It gets extra style points from me for being such a glorious, rich, pillar box red.
Shiny vinyl clothing is everywhere at the moment (thanks to last season Saint Laurent). It won’t surprise you to know I’m a huge fan. Shiny = fabulous in my book. It is much easier to wear vinyl in a coat than say, jeans, or a dress. I’ve tried vinyl jeans and trousers and have found some pretty good, but not great ones. The fit has to be absolutely perfect for vinyl. And I have to get over the squeaking sound when I walk, which so far has proven insurmountable.
Today I’m wearing the same sequin shoes and wool sweater that I wore in my last post. My friend Michelle has started including an “Other Ways I’ve Worn It” section on her blog posts where she shows how she’s styled the same items repeatedly in previous outfits. I think it is such a useful idea, so I will copy that going forward, with her permission. Like me, she is a lady who thinks carefully about her purchases and she styles the same items many different ways, proving that you don’t need a vast wardrobe, just a well-chosen one. A few updates are really all you need each season, avoiding the fast-fashion trap of having a wardrobe chock-full of flammable, poorly-made, disposable clothes.
I’ve found a few other shiny trenches at several price points for you to see; I think for the money, the ASOS one is the best option. I’m just going to stare at that expensive tobacco-coloured vintage-looking Ellery one until it magically materialises in my closet.
Details
Coat: ASOS
Sunglasses: ASOS
Side-stripe Trousers: Zara
Sweater: Winser London
Sequin shoes: Aldo
Clutch: Hermes
I have all kinds of exciting things to report back on in the next few weeks. I have a brand new makeup line to tell you about, I’m test-driving an at home IPL device (goodbye razor?), and I’m hoping to get my five favourite things video up for you this month before January completely runs away. Oh, and I’ll have to introduce you to my new bunny, Balthazar. I’m absolutely besotted with him. Have a lovely week, and think about adding a bright shiny raincoat to your wardrobe!
linking to: fashionshouldbefun, stylesplash, notdressedaslamb, notdeadyetstyle
36 Comments
Patti
January 28, 2018 at 11:30 PMYou’re looking fly for sure in this fab coat. And yeah, now I need that Ellery coat! Thanks for linking up, xo
-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
Lisa
January 30, 2018 at 11:15 AMThanks Patti! I know, isn’t that Ellery coat a work of art? xx
Susan B
January 29, 2018 at 12:52 AMOh, that is SUCH a fabulous trench! I can’t wear the khaki ones either, have completely given up.
Lisa
January 30, 2018 at 11:14 AMThank you, Susan. I’ve given up on the khaki one except when I’m travelling and don’t care so much about making a style statement. I wore the khaki one on the plane to NY last year; the stewardess dropped someone’s hot chocolate on the floor it splashed all over my coat. I was so glad it wasn’t anything I really liked!!
simplementlui
January 29, 2018 at 7:21 AMFantastic outfit!The coat is superb as well as your heels 😉
https://4highheelsfans.wordpress.com/2018/01/27/classic-is-eternal/
Lisa
January 30, 2018 at 11:09 AMThank you so much! 🙂 xx
Suzy Turner
January 29, 2018 at 2:26 PMLOVE this coat on you, Lisa. You sure do wear bright colours well. Red is definitely a YOU colour, isn’t it? And I totally agree why you would avoid wearing that awful beige – it washes me out too (even though I’m a brunette). Can’t wait to see Balthazar… I love bunny rabbits <3
Suzy xx
http://www.suzyturner.com
Lisa
January 30, 2018 at 11:09 AMThank you, Suzy. I’m finding red is my new black; as long as you have enough of it, you can wear it with everything else and have a cohesive wardrobe. You’ll love Balthazar! xx
Michelle - The Barefaced Chic
January 29, 2018 at 3:22 PMI actually love your rather windswept look Lisa and that rain coat!!!!!
Michelle xx
Lisa
January 30, 2018 at 11:06 AMThank you, m’lady! xx
Northwest Mountain Living
January 29, 2018 at 3:25 PMYou are the most chic lady ever! I love that trench and it does make the basic tan trench coat look pretty lame! Great post!
Cheryl
https:/www.northwestmountainliving.com
Lisa
January 30, 2018 at 11:05 AMThank you, Cheryl! I look homeless in the basic tan one, so I don’t bother with it anymore. xx
Jamie
January 29, 2018 at 3:51 PMI have an orange trench that I love —- but this one has certainly sparked my interest!
Lisa
January 30, 2018 at 11:04 AMHmmmm, now I’m going to look out for an orange one! Sounds fab! xx
Nancy Baten
January 29, 2018 at 3:59 PMI ordered the black version. I saw it and knew I had to have it! I was totally in love. And it was to big!!!!! Well, I actually ordered a size up because my actual size was out of stock. Damn, that was a bummer! It’ s a fantastic coat!
Lisa
January 30, 2018 at 11:29 AMKeep checking back, Nancy! They may get your size back in stock. ASOS is brilliant at re-stocking items that sell out. The red coat I’m wearing has been sold out 4 times already. Mango had a nice black vinyl one at one point, but I think they sold out of that one too. xx
No Fear of Fashion
January 29, 2018 at 7:43 PMI want that raincoat…!! Oh what a lovely raincoat!!! And those sidestripe trousers (leggings?) are such fun with the high heels. And the sunglasses wow. Splendid outfit.
Wind at the shoot? Well, at least you don’t look ugly when the wind playes with your hair. I have proof of me looking ugly when it happens to me. But what do I care? My hunky garage man told me he thinks I am a very sexy lady. I am good for the rest of the year. Walking on clouds haha. And Ron thinks he was way out of line ???. Or did I already tell you this and I am going mental?
Greetje
Lisa
January 30, 2018 at 11:03 AMIsn’t this raincoat fab? I love it too… hence me wearing it when there isn’t a raindrop in sight :-). I look plenty horrible when I’m scowling and the wind is in my hair, but those photos don’t make it to the blog! You didn’t tell me about your hunky garage man, but I’m not surprised. He probably can’t stop thinking about those legs of yours! xx
No Fear of Fashion
February 2, 2018 at 4:57 PMI have only been “pursued” for my looks, two or three times in my life. I am not the kind of woman who attracts men with my looks. Not that I am ugly, but I am just not in that league. I am fine with that, but you can understand it makes a huge impression on me when a hunky, 20 years younger man looks me in the eyes, holds my hand longer than necessary and tell me he thinks I am sexy….
Lisa
February 4, 2018 at 9:15 PMI personally think you are a beautiful, smart, AND super-funny woman with amazing legs, so I can definitely see your appeal, Greetje! xx
Abby@Midlifecrisisnut
January 29, 2018 at 9:27 PMLooking gorgeous there, Lady in Red! And never mind the wind, I looooove your glow! Looking forward to hearing about your latest adventures and meeting Mr Balthazar. xx Abby
Lisa
January 30, 2018 at 10:59 AMThank you so much, lovely Abby! You’ll love Balthazar; he is the loveliest, cheekiest, funniest little bunny! xx
mithraballesteros
January 30, 2018 at 2:01 PMI read this yesterday and then got sucked into the vortex of tracking down those striped trousers, and never left a comment. You’re keeping me fly as well! (How do you come up with your consistently pithy headlines?) Enjoy your new pet, Pet.
Lisa
January 31, 2018 at 5:15 PMThese trousers are fabulous, Mithra! They’re a super thick fabric, nice and stretchy, and feel much more ‘special’ than normal leggings. I love ’em. Hahaha, glad you like the headlines, my love. They’re terrible for SEO, but they entertain me. xx
notdressedaslamb
January 30, 2018 at 2:59 PMOMG I think you and red were made for each other Lisa – HOW glorious is this trench?!! Then along with all the other red it’s simply fabulous. LOVE the Dorothy-style glittery heels, hehe 😉
I never thought vinyl could look so stylish but you’ve proved me wrong, bravo!
Catherine x
https://notdressedaslamb.com
Lisa
January 31, 2018 at 5:17 PMI’m so pleased you like this! Vinyl is so 60’s-tastic; I love it. I’m so impressed with how well ASOS delivers the serious fashion goods these days. xx
LA CONTESSA
January 30, 2018 at 10:01 PMCANNOT WAIT TO MEET MISTER BUN BUN!!!!!!LOVE THE NAME BUT AFRAID I would spell it wrong!
SOUNDS like HE is MORE YOURS than the SONS???!!!!
LOOKING EVER SO CHIC…………….slim chance here in CALIFORNIA we need a raincoat so THANK YOU I JUST SAVED A FEW BUCKS!!!!!!!!
XX
Lisa
January 31, 2018 at 5:19 PMYou are going to LOVE Mister Bun Buns! He’s been on my Instagram stories a few times so far, but soon he’ll have his very own square on my feed. 🙂 HE is more mine than my son’s… the NEXT bunny to arrive will be a girl, and I’ll let my son pick that one out (they’ll be fixed, I ain’t got time for no baby bunnies). Thank you so much, Elizabeth! xx
Rachel
January 31, 2018 at 12:25 AMLove the whole look and the details are perfect!
http://chicglamstyle.com
Lisa
January 31, 2018 at 5:13 PMThank you, lovely Rachel! xx
Michelle
January 31, 2018 at 10:57 AMI’ll be honest, I wasn’t expecting to love this coat Lisa. I’ve never worn plastic or vinyl anything in my life! I imagine it being both sweaty & noisy but hang that, I WANT THE ELLERY COAT…..Wahhhhh it’s gawjus! Damn you woman for always being right 😉
xxx
Lisa
January 31, 2018 at 5:14 PMI love fantastic plastic! I blame my love of 60’s fashion. That Ellery coat is just insanely gorge, isn’t it?? xx
Lee Ann Swanson
February 1, 2018 at 3:33 AMLoving how this trench is both modern and retro at the same time! And I love how you have styled this one. I’m crazy for a trench myself, and like you, don’t do well in a traditional kahki one…I always say when I wear that color i look like a bowl of oatmeal! My fav is a hot pink satin cocktail number with a huge rhinestone buckle and buttons I’ve had for YEARS! Anywho, friend, I nuts about you in this!
Lisa
February 4, 2018 at 9:18 PMYes, that is my perfect fashion aesthetic (and for jewellery too) I love things that are modern and retro at the same time… irresistible! I totally remember your hot pink satin one with a rhinestone buckle; I’m SURE you’ve had that since our Lillie Rubin days? Thank you so much, my stylish friend! I’m so pleased you like this. xx
thestylesplash
February 5, 2018 at 10:48 PMOoh what a lovely raincoat! Why wear khaki when you can wear red?! The colour suits you so well, and those shoes are fabulous. I have a red trenchcoat but it isn’t vinyl, more a satin type material. I haven’t worn it in ages, in fact it’s hanging in my daughter’s bedroom…a few more years and she’ll be claiming it as her own! Thanks for linking up!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
Lisa
February 6, 2018 at 9:12 AMYou’d better go grab that red satin raincoat and dust it off for spring, lady! You’ll need it soon. I’d love to see it! xx