Living in Chicago requires serious cold weather style. Like, really really really cold weather: Monday is to be a high of -8 F. My first winter here six years ago, I followed the crowd and bought a puffy down coat that resembles a sleeping bag more than a garment. The coat is super warm and still in good condition, but every time I wear it, I feel blaaaaah. I know that thick wool can be as warm as down, since I wore a thrifted wool coat while studying abroad in St Petersburg one winter, so I decided this year to find a wool coat that is true to my style.
Today I had the day off work and headed downtown to wander around the Art Institute. I donned my puffy coat and braved the elements.
The dramatic temperature change from outside to the lobby of the museum caused my poor lens to fog.
While downtown, I took the opportunity to shop for wool coats. I had been obsessing over Fleurette coats on Nordstrom's website, but decided to try Nordstrom Rack before heading to the real thing. Thank goodness I did! I found two gorgeous Fleurette coats in my size for a whopping 75% off each. A red all wool coat and a camel all cashmere coat, both made in the USA of Italian Loro Piana fabric. Since I was prepared to buy a Fleurette coat at full price, I easily justified buying two for the equivalent of half of one at retail.
The red wool Fleurette coat:
I wore the red coat home and can attest to its excellent warmth.
The camel cashmere Fleurette coat:
Oooooh, I've wanted a pure cashmere coat all my adult life, but it always seemed like an unattainable luxury.
For my outfit under the coat, I wore a cashmere sweater, wool skirt and wrapped a silk scarf around a necklace my friend made.
I also snapped up these wool/cashmere gloves with iPhone touch technology. Very soft and warm! A nice little luxury to save my fingers while waiting for the L train.
Goodbye, puffy coat! I vow to use it only in the most dire of circumstances. :)
