Long Live Camel Coats
Love Story, family matters, and free books
The best origin stories are the fuzzy ones. My favorite pieces of clothing are the ones I *think* I bought with my high school best friend and her mom during a weekend tag sale at Goodwill, but *maybe* were handed down from a generous co-worker at my first job in fashion. It’s convoluted, but it creates something folkloric around what otherwise would simply be, in the case of this story, a camel coat.
I knew I needed a camel coat the first time I watched Love Story (1970). The movie has just enough impeccable outfits to justify its weird tagline (does love mean never having to say you’re sorry?) and depressing storyline. But when Ali McGraw walks in wearing a belted camel coat, it’s impossible not to feel instantly nostalgic for foliage falling while young love grows on an Ivy League campus, even if none of it ever happened to you.
The image of the camel coat lived in my head until I purchase a simple, light beige cashmere version on eBay. I wore it a few times. It didn’t feel right. I gave it to my little sister, who carried it perfectly. Then my mother entered the proverbial chat saying, “I’d like a camel coat.” So I ordered her one on eBay, a vintage J. Crew style with buttons down the front. The only problem was, I fell in love with the coat on a trip back to Iowa, and took it hostage. Sorry, mom. All’s well that ends well, since I found her a cousin of the J. Crew coat which she sported on a trip to Paris. Très bien!
This history is all to say that finding the right piece is sometimes a process. You might have to blatantly steal from family members! But when a reference lives in your head, thank you, Miss McGraw, it’s important to remain patient and open. The [insert clothing item here] will find you. Stay open to hand-me-downs. Remain vigilant with the eBay search terms.
Archived Outfit
Ali McGraw knows a good coat when she sees one. Let’s turn from the iconic Love Story look to this equally as fabulous street style ensemble. Floor length coats are tricky in New York (sewers, subway stairs, kids on scooters) but the look is undeniably chic. The pant is cut in such a flattering leg. The belt over the turtleneck? I don’t hate it. McGraw references one of my favorite tricks to keeping winter dressing polished, which is keeping your accessories all in one color. Black hat, black shoes, black shirt. Two thumbs up!
For the person looking to justify another camel coat. Look, it’s a $20 cape!
Big collar, strong cuffs, and $30.
I love this silhouette, especially with tights and loafers. ($60)
Honorable Mentions
If your Valentine is more of the practical type, try upgrading their sock selection with Paper Project. I feel like I talk about the brand all the time, but after buying my partner a few pairs on a whim, they’re all I wear.
If you’re a little Vitamin C shy, I get it. This new version from Fig 1 is possibly the best I’ve tried. It goes on very gently, leaving skin with an immediate glow. I mix mine with my sunscreen and moisturizer to apply it all at once. Also, it’s $30.
Non-consumerist rec/call to action: Are you utilizing your local library? My best friend made a resolution to use the library more, which inspired me to do the same. Placing holds, receiving notifications for holds you forgot about, and little jaunts to pick them up. Come on! It’s such a simple pleasure. Tap into your local library’s audiobook setup, as well.
Thank you so much for reading. This week, I wrote about dressing for the in between, announcing an engagement on Instagram, and made-to-order fashion.
Also, it’s my birthday! Forwarding this email to a friend you’d think would be into this hodgepodge of sartorially-adjacent content would mean the world to me. See you next Thursday! x
Happy Birthday!! Have a wonderful day!