Coats and Nostalgia
Coat shopping was an event at our house. Mom took us to Jordan Marsh or Filenes on fall Saturdays that always seemed to have newly crisp and clean air, a hint of what was to come. We tried on eons of coats; some plain, some fancy, some with large leather buttons or brass military ones. If Mom got confused, there always seemed to be a nice attractive mature saleslady with glasses on a chain around her neck, pencil in her chignon and thick charge book nearby. She helped our arms get in and out of all kinds of sleeves, buttoned us, and led us to the illuminated three way mirror. We could get just one coat each so it had to have room to grow and be sturdy enough to last into the next year. Salesladies understood that coat shopping was serious business too.
In first grade, Mom found our winter coats at a boutique in a quaint nearby village. Fortunately, there were two as my sister and I always had to match. They were green tweed coats with plain rounded crew necks. But that was ok because each had an attached scarf with fringe. How much fun we had tossing those scarves over our shoulders. The saleslady really enjoyed seeing how delighted Mom was to have found TWO identical coats in the same size with charming attached scarves. They both cocked their heads, arms casually akimbo, and smiled as they watched my sister and I in the three-way posing and twirling, scarves flying. To extend Mom’s pride (she still talks about those coats), my sister and I did them justice: we wore the hats that my grandmother knit to go with them.
I’ve concluded that unless I want to spend over $1,000 or possible up to $2,000, I may not find my high quality, warm, detailed, lined 100% wool coat. But …there just has to be something, somewhere. Perhaps I WILL keep searching and peeking under hems for that great silky lining. I’m not sure I’ll find one with a whimsical attached scarf to toss though. I would however, settle for a helpful sales clerk.
9 Comments
Adam Smith
I really like the content of this blog. feeling great to see such kind of amazing stuff.
Suppliers of beds and mattresses
Donna
Yes, Jacqueline….no more sales ladies who have pride of ownership in their jobs. Chris, the images were found on google search and I did notice that the Boston shopping blog used some too. I love the old images. I believe they are public domain but I perhaps should have given him credit for the first few! I will mention him soon I love his blog so much. Thank you all for your kind comments. They mean so much!
Jacqueline T Lynch
Love this…"… there always seemed to be a nice attractive mature saleslady with glasses on a chain around her neck, pencil in her chignon and thick charge book nearby." Where are they now?
Lovely post.
Kay
This is just a perfectly done piece, Donna, I just adored every word of it. Naturally, since I've been coat hunting myself, this speaks volumes. No nice salesladies left, alas, that understand that shopping is and should be a serious business. Coats are an investment!!! I found my coat, gorgeous lining and all, at the Goodwill. Which is, apparently, where all great coats go to die. I hope some coat manufacturers are reading your post right now and vowing to start making coats worthy of being draped over a couch, awaiting service. I think this has been my favorite post of yours this year, Donna! Hugs, Kay
judith
You brought back memories of my childhood when my sister and I always had matching coats. I'm also reminded (and I kick myself) of a very good coat that I donated a few years ago just because the color was no longer in style. I probably could have had it professionally dyed.
DebbyMc
Simply wonderful. I was immediately whisked to standing in front of a 3way mirror in one of the only two dress shops available to my non-driving mom and me in the early '60s. Twirling. Yes, that describes it. And, my goodness, what I could have done with one of your scarves.
Anonymous
So beautifully put! I still have the last coat I bought "new." That was in 1982 and it still looks fantastic. I loved the image of you with your sister and your coats.!
Amy
Lovely and evocative as always!
Denholms
Emily…great post! Where did you find the vintage ads?