Vintage Trench & white boots

Well, it seems I did not know how much I needed white boots! Instant workhorse. They are easy to incorporate into outfits and help me feel less winter-dark -- a real necessity here, now that November's short days and rain have descended. 

Yesterday I had a book club appearance -- live, in person!! Amazing to do this after so many Zoom events. We drank tea and talked about my book and essays and the participants' reading and (in some cases) writing. 

And I got to début my new wardrobe pet! 

Last week I went on a short retreat with two writing friends to Bowen Island. What a lovely spot. We had glorious weather! (Bonus pics attached). AND, there is a lovely boutique there called Wren, where the owner happened to have a rack of vintage items in addition to her usual contemporary clothing. She has a friend who does costumes for films and then passes some of the items along to her for a popup shop. 

My eye immediately went to this 1970s leather trench in mid-blue. I told myself I had zero need for it (true) but my friends persuaded me to try it on, and, lo,  it was a perfect fit. I can layer under it comfortably. The price was right. 

This coat was made in Winnipeg by the Hurtigs. Another branch of this family is famed in literary circles in Canada. 

What can I say? It was meant to be! 

You can see it once had a zip in lining for cold Winnipeg winters. I could, I suppose, have a new one made, but I would rarely need it in my climate. I was thinking maybe instead I'd look for a short puffer or puffer vest to wear under it in a colour similar to the lining (or the coat). 

I'm going to try an outfit creation session with the coat once I get some lights rigged up for photos. But what I like about the style is the dramatic collar (I have a weakness for dramatic collars!) and the details -- the back belt, the way it nips at the waist so it is wearable with pants and dresses, even those that flare out. 

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43 Comments

  • LJP replied 1 year ago

    That’s a really interesting coat - great find! I remember meeting Mel Hurtig a few times as he was published by someone I was repping for at the time - maybe Hushion House ? And I remember Hurtig’s of Vaughn Street well - such a formal , old -school salon .

  • LJP replied 1 year ago

    Also - I’m not at all surprised to hear that you’re right into your white boots. They look so authentic to your style .

  • Angie replied 1 year ago

    MEANT TO BE, Suz

    KILLER vintage jacket! You wear it beautifully. GORGEOUS colour on you :)

    If the sleeves are a bit long - it's a worthwhile alteration shortening them.

    Love the idea of adding a soft pink lining to the jacket. Makes it more wearable for all sorts of weather.

    KILLER white boots too. Welcome to Team White Boots! 

    I can't think of a nicer event to debut your new darling than at an in-person book event about your book. Magical when our style planets align. ENJOY!!! 

  • Inge replied 1 year ago

    See!!! I was hoping you'd take a liking to your gorgeous white boots:-)
    The vintage jacket is stunning, and so are the nature pictures, WOW!

  • Star replied 1 year ago

    The jacket suits you, looks fab.  I have a red cotton trench of the same length and similar style and never considered wearing it with dresses or skirts - so thanks for that.

  • Dee replied 1 year ago

    That coat is such a great find, Canadian made no less, and I’m glad to hear those boots are earning their keep. Bowen Island looks beautiful, I’ll have to get out there some day. 

  • Suz replied 1 year ago

    The sleeves are actually perfect -- the fit altogether is perfect, though I admit in the dim light it might be hard to tell. :)  Will try to get better photos later, or another day, when the rain stops! 

    Mel Hurtig ran a bookstore and a press and was involved in politics. His daughter, Leslie, is currently artistic director of the Vancouver Writers Festival. 

    The Hurtigs of Winnipeg were a different branch of the family, also with an interesting history! 

    I like owning a piece of clothing with all these interesting associations. 

    And yes, it is true, the white boots are very seamless to my style; it just hadn't occurred to me. I guess because the idea of white with boot is almost an oxymoron for where I used to live -- even a waterproof boot would get covered with salt and sand and dirt in Kingston, but here, it's just rain, and the lug soles keep me off the ground a bit, so it is altogether more practical. 

  • Katerina replied 1 year ago

    Wow, Suz, you look gorgeous in the new vintage coat! What a fantastic find, I love, love, love it. To layer a puffer jacket under is a brilliant idea.
    The white boots are great and suit you perfectly. How great to be able to do the book clubs in person in such a beautiful outfit.
    The retreat sounds and looks heavenly.

  • Minaminu replied 1 year ago

    OMG Suz!!! What a great finder, I can totally understand why you couldn't leave it in the shop! The fit is fab and the colour is super on you and can imagine it will work beautifully with the rest of your wardrobe!

  • Vildy replied 1 year ago

    You're lucky once again in your vintage finds and blessed to have such encouraging friends. 

  • replied 1 year ago

    Awesome outfit! Beautiful retreat photos. Very cool leather trench and the color looks wonderful with your eyes :)

  • Irina replied 1 year ago

    How lucky you are, Suz! It fits you perfectly and looks wonderful. 

    I agree with you on white boots. My only light color pair is cream high top Converse. They stay more or less clean due to a rubber, easy to clean caps.

  • replied 1 year ago

    What a beautiful place- wow! I need a writers retreat :)
    Those pieces were meant to be! You definitely needed white boots and that coat has such a great shape!

  • kkards replied 1 year ago

    I knew those boots would be a workhorse for you! 
    And what a great find that coat is! Fun shape and color…and a fun bit of “history” as well 

  • Jessikams replied 1 year ago

    What a beautiful spot! And what a bonus that you found good shopping too.

  • Indigoprint replied 1 year ago

    What a find. So fun!
    Such a good feel to discover a new workhorse.
    They look FAB on you.

  • Bijou replied 1 year ago

    That coat could not have found a more perfect home - you look stunning in it. It is such a beautiful colour. The white boots are so crisp, two great wardrobe additions.

    I love it idea of a soft pink puffer layered underneath and/or getting a detachable liner made to fit the coat, it just gives you more options.

  • Bonnie replied 1 year ago

    What a great vintage jacket and so nice that it fits perfectly. 

  • Jaime replied 1 year ago

    Well what an absolutely delightful way to start my day. Love the coat, love the views, love the white boots! Really a perfect outfit.

  • Nadya replied 1 year ago

    That coat on you! *plonk*

    And yes your pixie and white boots are perfection.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 1 year ago

    Oh my, that coat was made for you. The whole outfit is super fab, and I'm glad you are loving the boots. Bowen Island looks gorgeous.

  • Runcarla replied 1 year ago

    In the close-up, the jacket is a match for your eyes!  Is that so IRL?  I do love the outfit.  That blue leopard shirt is gorgeous.  

  • slim cat replied 1 year ago

    Great new coat - perfect fit and color! Love the look with new white boots - FAB!

  • Karie replied 1 year ago

    Those boots fit right in with your style. And what a special coat! Beautiful pics too.

  • SarahD8 replied 1 year ago

    This is sooooo cool! I love the combo of light boots and light outerwear and you’re right, just the ticket for our dark PNW winters. Taking notes! And how great that the Sam Edelmans worked for you.

    What gorgeous island pics. I’m headed to an island writing retreat myself (well, one of my own devising) next week. Your pics are making me excited! I doubt I’ll find anything as cool as a vintage leather trench with literary connections in town but hey— never say never!1

  • unfrumped replied 1 year ago

    Beautiful scenery! And the coat- you were right to get it. I’ll bet you find all sorts of occasions to wear it.
    Uniqlo has a down vest in just that color. Just sayin’ .

  • Suz replied 1 year ago

    Thank you, all, for sharing my excitement! I love finding great vintage items! My favourite shopping scores! And this was entirely unexpected! 

    OOOH, unfrumped -- off to check the Uniglo site! Thank you! 

    Sarah, I'm so curious about your retreat. Ours was of our own devising, too, more or less, but I'd be happy to share info because it would be close enough for you to come to, and it is affordable for sure. PM me if you like. 

    These boots remind me a bit of your light coloured summer sandals this year. They really elevated/ switched up/ gave some new ooomph to your style yet were eminently practical. 

    Carla, in bright sunlight or direct light that colour is pretty much a perfect match for my eyes, yes. In less direct light I think my eyes appear a slightly darker blue. The blue leopard shirt is one of my earliest purchases after joining YLF, I think, and I adore it. SUPER comfortable, perfect colour mix for me. I only wear it in winter because it is quite warm. I can't see it wearing out for a long, long time. It layers beautifully but also makes an outfit on its own. 

    Bowen is a lovely island! We stayed really close to the ferry docks and it was a short walk to a beautiful regional park for hikes. 

    Thank you again so much! It's fun to share these finds with people who appreciate them! 

  • rachylou replied 1 year ago

    The coat is pure brilliance!

  • Sisi replied 1 year ago

    Beautiful trench, very Suz-esque, beautiful booties and beautiful scenery! I think it is an excellent idea to wear the trench  with a short puffer or puffer vest and I agree that light-colored footwear helps counterbalance the Winter darkness and lift the mood. You look fab! 

  • Synne replied 1 year ago

    Serious coat envy!!! That is a fab find. You look beautiful!

  • ChristelJ replied 1 year ago

    Just wow. How incredibly special that coat is, and how fantastic you look in it. So fun to wake up to all this shared delight. I am especially tickled by the dramatic collar; I love those too.

  • Helena replied 1 year ago

    Absolutely. Fabulous. (Said in Patsy's accent!!)

  • April replied 1 year ago

    Good work, Suz!  Tell us the title of your book, please.

    Also, can you describe the white of the boots?  I have a similar pair from Sole Bliss and the "white" is very very vanilla (strong yellow undertone).

  • RobinF replied 1 year ago

    Oh wow, that trench is gorgeous and I love it on you! What a fabulous find. Love the historical details too - so fun!

    And that island looks like a beautiful place!

  • Paula B replied 1 year ago

    Oh Suz,You look fabulous hun and I love your trenchcoat,XXX

  • bella replied 1 year ago

    What a great find! It was kismet! 

  • SarahD8 replied 1 year ago

    Suz, I will take you up on that offer of writing retreat info! Messaging you...

  • UmmLila (Lisa) replied 1 year ago

    absolutely gorgeous! that coat is perfect for you. glad you kept the boots.

  • Suz replied 1 year ago

    Kismet -- I love that word, Bella

    Thanks for all the kind words and the shared joy. It's US Thanksgiving, not Canadian, but I'm giving thanks to great vintage finds in fashion! :) 

    Robin, Bowen is indeed a pretty place -- it's only a 20 minute ferry ride from the mainland. But a bit of a trip for me to get to, since I had to leave one island by ferry and then take a long bus ride and then another ferry to get there. 

    April, my most recent book is Big Reader. You can follow the website link for more info if you wish. Thank you so much for asking. I'm working on new stuff now, of course. :) 

    The boots are a fairly true white, I'd say, verging on cool, or chalky, but not grey, and no yellow undertone. For me it is a perfect white. 

  • Jonesy replied 1 year ago

    Gorgeous photos--I can feel the serenity from here :)--but those white boots! And the new leather trench! Fantastic! I love, love, love a trench with a dramatic collar and that half-belt in the back (not sure what the technical name is) and it looks like it was made for you. What a delicious find! The white boots already look integral to your style.

  • Sal replied 1 year ago

    Fabulous all round Suz! So good when a footwear purchase pays off both in terms of comfort AND style!!

  • Janet replied 1 year ago

    OMG Suz, that jacket is so great on you! Lovely color and cut. And the boots are perfect for you. Great scores!

  • nemosmom replied 1 year ago

    You have the BEST luck with thrifted outerwear!! What a fun find! Love the dramatic collar and the color is smashing with your eyes.

    The white boots will be an instant workhorse, I bet!

    Such gorgeous scenery, too.

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