Long Live A Lightweight Coat

On Christene Barberich's Miss Dior Coat, a little work update, and an outfit to copy.

When I started Long Live, there were a few closets in my mind’s vision board that inspired this newsletter. Chloë Sevigny’s packed East Village wardrobe, chock full of designer goods and irreplaceable vintage. The world of Amanda Brooks—New York editor turned English countryside dweller with incredible taste. My freshman year roommate’s aunt who always showed up to dinner in all black and often ran into her ex-boyfriends on motorcycles across the city. And of course, Christene Barberich, writer, vintage collector, newsletter writer of her own, and co-founder of Refinery29.

Her style has always been easy to covet. And when I was in college, seeing her post pictures in vintage finds made me feel like I didn’t have to be like my FIT classmates maxing their credit cards on Balenciaga boots. I could take the L train to Brooklyn and hunt for second hand pieces, some of which I still wear. When Christene agreed to share her own One Thing, I was elated. Of course it’s a long plaid vintage Miss Dior coat. In her words, “it’s awesome, dramatic, wonderful lightweight coat season, after all.”

How long have you had this piece? I honestly cannot remember. Maybe a decade?

 
Where did it come from? Ebay…I don’t usually search for vintage Miss Dior, so I suspect I found this by going down a seller’s rabbit hole.

How much did you pay for it? Definitely not more than $100. I can’t remember the exact cost, but I’m usually pretty thrifty when it comes to vintage designer from eBay….or anywhere. Unless it’s maybe Old Céline, and something I’ve always wanted…then things get a little dicey for me:)

How do you wear it? Like a blazer! Or as a topcoat over jeans or a dress…I mean, maybe anything. Sweatpants? Possibly. This is the only season I can really wear it….fall into winter. It’s a heavier kind of cotton-canvas/wool combo, and it’s fitted so it gets pretty warm, even though I can’t layer much underneath it and it has a pretty slim cut. 

What does it represent? The tailoring is perfection…and just great care and appreciation for a forever piece. It’s also very long, which makes me wonder who might have worn it originally and to what? The cut is so precise and lovely, and I LOVE the tag…the typography! Everything about it, to me, is just so special. Ugh!..and the style of plaid is so timeless. I also need to add that I do not take any great measures to repel moths in my closet, even though I know I should, and for some reason, this coat never gets any nibbles…at all. So, that makes it extra perfect. 

Thank you for gracing us with your presence + perfect style, Christene.

Archived Outfit

Let’s channel this week’s guest for upcoming winter dressing. There’s something so chic about the hem of a long dress or skirt sticking out of an overcoat. I love the fur detail on Christene’s paired with the laced boots. Plus the monochrome detailing with the tan purse. It’s a great outfit.

Under $75, this mossy coat dresses up any outfit underneath.

Into something a little more cropped? This military-inspired vintage jacket is perfect.

Take a walk on the wild side with this jacket that feels a little like a Scandi girl in Ganni might be into it.

Honorable Mentions

The Tender Years—Set in the Midwest, this harrowing memoir is all about family, loss, and living through it all.

Stranger Care—Another depressing memoir! This one tackles a woman’s process through foster care. Written in fragments, I read the moving book in two-ish days.

Sea of Tranquility—Famously, Christian and I loved the HBO adaptation of Station Eleven earlier this years, despite being the worst TV watchers. This book is another breed of dystopian, infused with some time travel and simulation theory. Trust me! It’s so good.

Aforementioned work update! I was laid off from my job in tech last week. My severance is great, most of my team was impacted, and the whole thing feels weird to balance a few weeks before my wedding. There’s no real impact to this fashion newsletter, but wanted to keep readers in the currently, very emotional loop.

Thank you so much for reading. Recently, I wrote about the color of the year for Clever and lipstick. See you next Thursday! x