Cute Puffers

Yeah, I'm late. Mad people have covered the new ascendancy of the puffer as a fashion item, but here I am, in November, doing the same. Well, whatever. I'm a procrastinator, and only the other day did I realize that it's actually cold. So here I go, late as usual, looking for a warm coat.

Now, my good luck from last year in getting the puffer I wanted was nothing short of miraculous. I found the Clarisse by Moncler for a steal.

(I hate this pose.)

However, I found that the electric blue isn't quite an all-encompassing color, so I must find one
that is equally stunning, but not so bright. Thus ...






This tuxedo-styled puffer comes from Elizabeth & James. I like it. I mean, it's black, which is bad, but the style is interesting. That collar is a problem, though. Get it here. Just don't get it in my size; it's in the running.



This lovely, shiny, gray thing, is Moncler's Aliso, and I want it. There really is something to be said for a cinched waist and glossy fabric. Thing is, like all Monclers, this coat is a little out of my price range. Hopefully, the homie in Italy can fix that problem for me. Get it here.



Some of us are cheap (or broke) , and that's fine. Lory and Thaly, respectively, allow you to be both warm and guiltless. I suspect that I've shown these before, but Soia & Kyo's simply the savior for chicks on a budget.














Again, teetering dangerously on the edge of boring, but the collar saves it. Plus, it's reversible. For those who prefer the quilted look, there's the other side. Basic Boutique has it for you. By Add Down.









Another from Add Down. A basic bomber style with epaulets, side pockets, and a zip front. And it's in a glossy red. I love it. This company looks to be competing for Moncler customers who have some disposable income but can't quite make it rain. Get it at Saks.


I've never heard of Combobella, but the brand appears to available only on Yoox. I assume they're some value Italian brand. Either way, I'm liking this coat at this price. I am a sucker for stripes.

And the pièce de résistance, Nissa by Mackage. I still love this coat, and even though I 'm short and short-torsoed and would look awful in it, I still want it.

More Fall Coats - The Mackage Edition

I've highlighted Soia & Kyo's winter line of coats. Now, let us turn our attentions toward their older (and more expensive) sister line, Mackage. Winter just ain't winter for me unless I get at least one Mackage. They're warm, well-made, and frickin' gorgeous.

Why not start with a puffer? This silhouette is gorgeous, which instantly eliminates that nagging fit issue most puffers suffer from. Simply beautiful.

Now this is clearly in the running. I need a short, brown coat that zips up (as beautiful as large, ornamental buttons are, they take up too much of my time) and this one fits at least two of the criteria. Check out that detail.

Another puffer. It's cute, but I'm torn. Another nice silhouette, but I'm sure this coat will swallow me. I'm just too petite for this.

This coat is so-so on the surface, but the back is bangin', sorta like a butter face.

Bee-yoo-ti-ful.

AND they got leathers. I can say from experience that the leather is, in fact, heavenly.

Beautiful coats all around, but I'm feeling that the styles aren't really trumping what Soia & Kyo bring to the table ... for HALF the price. I don't know. Maybe I'll have a windfall and get them all.

Yep, It's Here

Fall, bay-bee. It's creepin' up on us like parking lot rapists. As a Chicagoan, I've got to accept that we'll soon be knee deep in slush and misery, so I may as well lubricate the esophagus with retail to swallow the bitter pill.

As is customary for a person with my interests and problems, there must be at least two coat purchases this fall, but what and from where exactly? Ahhh ... let the mighty shower of wool, big buttons, and zippers begin!!!!

A slew of Soia & Kyo creations, all highly coveted, all just cheap enough to be bought. I'm telling you ladies, if Mackage or your other favorite coat designer is on that BS pricing jive, S & K gotchu, boo, trust. *solemn face* Peep the loveliness below and tell me that you can't envision yourself frolicking through the rough Chicago winter in one of these. Huh? I DON'T BELIEVE YOU!!!

Sonia Rykiel's diffusion line ain't all crap. This coat is just plain adorable, especially for those of you who are afraid of real color and desire to visit the dry cleaners a lot. It sounds like I'm hating, but that can't be helped. I do like this coat despite my tone.

Buy It

And lastly, a beautiful confection of brightness and buttons. Orange remains my favorite color, and the fashion industry's insistence on purple can suck it. By the way, it's TIBI.

Buy It

Fall's a Comin' ...

and I say that will all kinds of excitement in my voice. Of course, I hate cold temperatures and being uncomfortable, but I love love love shopping, being cute and all things purchaseable. I especially love coat shopping, so when I discovered that my two favorite coat purveyors had already rolled out the merchandise and were sold out, I got scared. I mean, who are these chicks, coming out the woodworks to purchase Mackage and Soia & Kyo coats anyway? I've been there out the gate, and I have to scramble and sign my name to waiting lists cuz some undoubtedly unfashionable chicas with money have the good fortune to read about them on some blog (oh, the irony). Oh well. This doesn't stop me from sharing.

Choice number one, the flyest impractical but stunning cape-like thing in life (I am a sucker for houndstooth.) There's still a chance; it's in stock.



Why is this already sold out? It was ninety degrees in Chicago today. Coats shouldn't be selling out yet. Either way, I must have this coat. It's beautiful, ridiculously cheap, and probably mad warm (all my Mackage coats are).



Another impractical stunner. The problem is that I'd always have to wear long, cozy sleeves or ridiculously long leather gloves. Wait ... how is that a problem?



I think the close up is enough. More houndstooth, big buttons, nuff said.



So those are my dream coats. If someone out there loves me, he or she will get me one. *wink, wink*