I said no to the coat

Last week I popped into TJ Maxx for towels and in true Ali fashion, I managed to find myself shopping for…myself. Inventory was GOOD that day, so I did what I usually do and put everything I liked into my car, which feels kind of like adding to my cart online. I never hold back during this phase, I just add what speaks to me. I highly recommend. I found this pretty killer quilted coat with a removable shearling collar by Sanctuary. It was a light to medium weight coat, but still very warm. Loved the color, loved the pop of shearling and loved how it looked without the shearling collar, too! Into my cart it went.

Unlike most people, I am a big fan of the checkout portion of TJ Maxx, or the never-ending aisle of trinkets they tease us with as we wait for a register to open. At no other place in the world do I consider buying a crocheted pumpkin or a bag of candy that’s potentially six years old. it It’s an incredible experience, really. I like to reframe this part of my shopping journey by using it as a time to make final cuts to my impulsive add to cart selections. This was when I said no to the coat.

That feeling

My biggest hesitation was that I had something similar at home. I could have purchased it and returned it, but time is too precious in this season of life. I went with my hunch, put the jacket in the no pile, paid and left! I’m glad I made that call because while I don’t have that exact coat, I. have a few that are VERY similar! By the way, I posted a selfie on instagram asking if I should buy it and most people LOVED it!

Dust off your coats and jackets

Take out your fall decorations and while you’re doing that dust off your coats. Before you’re tempted to buy new outerwear open up your coat closet and review what’s inside. Categorize what you have and take note of what you need! Keep a list in the notes section of your iphone! In fact, you can do this for your entire wardrobe.

options

I like to have two to three options within each coat category. The options vary in color, fabrication, details and length. You’ll see that having of bench full of good players (sports reference, shocking) is really helpful when what you thought would work isn’t getting the job done.

leather

Leather is leather, meaning the fabrication is what it is. To give myself options I went with a black cropped leather jacket with a zipper and then a cream leather jacket with buttons (reminds me of a peacoat). Not a moto jacket girl because it feels like it always adds edge and I don’t always want that much edge. I want my leather jackets to be a little more sophisticated and versatile.

Found while studying abroad. I love buying things when I travel because they feel more special and unique

A recent purchase by Generation Love

puffer

This is one of the categories that contributed to me not buying the TJ Maxx coat. The Lamarque puffer in the middle offers up a lot of shearling and while it is more of a statement coat, I use it the same way I would use the TJ Maxx coat. Also, I like the contrast of black against the shearling because it makes the shearling a little more dressed up versus completely casual. I could wear this out to dinner.

My longer Ganni is my long puffer/parka for the freezing cold and my trenches are for milder weather, so I thought about how the TJ Maxx coat would fit in. My uniform tends to be on the casual side and the coat really sends the first message, so I want it to be a statement or I want it to be classic and understated. The TJ Maxx coat had elements that I loved, but as a whole I don’t think it really fell into either of those two categories.

Bomber

Bombers are a new category for me, partially because they are practical and partially because I am very picky. More times than not, I find the general weight of a bomber to be flimsy, boring and non-utilitarian, so when I found these two sturdy statement bombers I purchased. Ganni makes great quality coats/jackets. I have three! It makes life a lot easier when you know your brands. As you can see, I went big in this category. Leopard is a neutral in my closet, and this jacket is nice and thick, so it’s functional and flipping fabulous. The bib collar, flap pockets and overall shape/structure of the green sold me.

Trenches

Ah, yes the trench collection. As you can see I have trenches in three different fabrications and colors. My favorite is my long cashmere navy Tibi trench. This was an investment. I really loved the collar detailing (you can wear it up to appear like a high neck! Navy is new for me, but I noticed that I feel really good in it, so it’s making it’s way into my wardrobe a lot more. It’s totally a neutral.

Next are two more traditional trench coats. The middle is much lighter and the right is heavier and lined, but both are lined and somehow negated the need for the TJ Maxx coat. I mentioned the sophistication factor that I love in a coat and I’m realizing how important that is to me!! I think if I were in my 20s or lived in Colorado I would have purchased it.

Raincoat

Here is my Stutterheim raincoat, which I’ve had now for 6 years. It’s insanely good, but it’s HOT. It’s basically a long rubber jacket, but it’s great for cold rainy days and it makes a bold statement. The lined trench coat above constitutes as my very sophisticated raincoat, but I still feel like I need another raincoat and I’ve been striking out. I want a shorter, but stylish statement raincoat that I can wear more casually and that travels. Stay tuned.

The cool extras

These are the extras in no particular order! Lots of fuzziness going on, so another reason why I didn’t buy the coat with the shearling. The vest is a two-fer because it’s reversible and I love it because it adds an interesting texture to just about any outfit. The quilted cropped jacket is incredible. I picked it up at a second hand shop. I went out on a limb with this color combo, but turns out I really love light yellow! I think this coat was the nagging feeling that kept me from buying the TJ Maxx coat. Lastly, my fuzzy Isabel Marant shacket. Its epic. I’ve also had it for six years and while I don’t wear it a ton, it’s not going anywhere.

So review your repertoire and take note of what you need. Build your coat collection slowly and intentionally over time and you will feel so much better about making investment purchases. When you’re more informed about what YOU like and what YOU need the process is less overwhelming. You got this!