Fashion Files is a recurring, occasional segment on the blog where I write about a new fashion find, add items to my wishlist, or dream about the styles I’ll be able to wear at goal. I’ve always tried to look my best, no matter my size, and fashion has a huge role in that. Clothes create first impressions. Clothes reflect my personality, and affect my confidence. Now that I’m losing weight, the fashion is getting more fun, so join me in my fashion files.
Today’s Fashion File is all about outerwear, which may seems strange since it’s July and I won’t be needing a coat for a couple of months. Still, I know that this is the time of year when you can find the best deals, so when I got the brainstorm last night to hit up a few websites and see what kind of deals were out there, I went with it.
After perusing a few different sites, I ended up on QVC. I love Isaac Mizrahi’s style, and so I immediately went to his collection. I found two great styles on clearance and easy pay (where you can spread the payments over several months), so buying these two coats was painless for my pocketbook.
The first coat will be my go-to for cold weather. I adore the style, and plan to pop the collar. I ordered it in a charcoal grey, which comes with a silver zipper and dark buttons. I’m showing it to you in the red, because I think it shows the style easier:
The coat is a wool blend, but doesn’t have that traditional scratchy feel of wool, as they were quick to point out in the video presenting the coat. I love that it has the belt so that I can accentuate my waist. They also showed it unzipped, which is how Isaac said he’d style it most of the time and save the zipper for the coldest weather. I think the charcoal grey color I ordered will go with EVERYthing. I love the style because it goes as well with a dress as it does with jeans, and is just so sophisticated. The clearance price was $49.86, plus $10.22 shipping. QVC kills me with how much they charge for shipping, but a great coat like this for $60.08 is still a steal.
In the SF Bay Area, we do get “cold” winters, but more often than that, we’re dealing with rainy days. I haven’t had a light, easy raincoat, so that was definitely on my shopping list last night, as well. When I found this coat, I knew it was going to be mine, too.
I love this raincoat because it’s light, making it perfect for rainy days. The anorak style is great, too, because I can synch in the waist. I think this dark olive color works well throughout the year, and is very versatile. This rain jacket isn’t as stylish as the other coat, but for is a lot more flattering than many I’ve seen. The price on this coat was what ultimately made me decide to get it – $35.78, plus $7.22, making it $43. What a great deal.
The other difficult part was deciding what size to order, especially knowing that I’m going down in sizes as the days tick by. But I figured that both coats have belts that will help accentuate my curves, and at these prices, if they only last half the season, I’ve still gotten great use out of them. I ordered an 18 in the first coat and an XL in the raincoat, basing both choices on the reviews and the way people commented about their fit. People who’d purchased the coats said they were both roomy, and since it will be about 2 months before I wear either, I think I’ve made the right choice. Plus, outerwear should be worn larger than the tops/sweaters I’ll be wearing under it.
Do you need to go outerwear shopping? What kind of styles are your favorites for keeping warm in cold weather?
Bella on the Beach 