I did something a liiiiittle crazy. Maybe more deluded than crazy. After my lecture I popped into Reiss and bought a £265 coat. Oops!
Haha truly this plan was thought out. I tried on this coat on the day I bought the coat below and have been thinking about it ever since. Like I said, the M&S coat just doesn't have enough spark or attraction, it's not something you put on and think oooo. I of course never normally go into Reiss. If it's just a UK thing, it's a very exclusive high street shop, if you could call it that, sort of a store for mega rich people and practically a designer store for people like me. The shop is quite scary, with very modelesque SAs and only about three of each item carefully laid out. It's also very expensive. So I went back in today and tried on the coat once more. I blame the guy working there! Our conversation went something like this:
*me twirling in mirror*
Very fabulous and very gay SA: Oh this coat is just divine!
Me: Yep it's a bit out of my price range though...
VF&VGSA: Ooo that's what student loans are for!
M: Hmmm... I do have a job now...
VF&VGSA: The colour is gorgeous, plus you need a longer coat in winter and it will last you forever, it's made from cashmere too!
M: It is lovely... gosh what are my flatmates going to say!
VF&VGSA: Haha who cares, you'll look better than them! It's gorgeous! Imagine it with a belt and gloves too.
M: Hmmm I'll just ring my Mom..
Mother: Treat yourself Selina! You wear a coat for months and got two years out of your last one... I'll put towards it for your Christmas present if you need to...
Me: I think I'm going to take it!
*goes to cash point*...woops, noodles for a term!
I'm not sure my photos do it much justice, it's a gorgeous Cadbury's purple that's so warm and rich, it just pops. It's like the perfect purple, with a little hint of blue. And it's soooo soft! The best thing is the shape, I was standing totally still in the first photo and the way the coat kicks out is exactly how it's cut naturally. It's practically like wearing a dress! My job does mean I can kind of afford it but it will be basically all my Christmas wages. The attraction is that it represents exactly what buying something should be like, where you get an item you know you will be excited about every time you put on, and walk around all happy and fabulous. Still, it's a bit scary to wear! Also bonus points for those who know where I got the title from...!
The coat is absolutely gorgeous and totally worth it, conidering you use a coat for age. So it's a wise investment. Gawjus colour too =]
Posted by: Martha | September 30, 2008 at 06:51 PM
Absolutely fabulous, that SA was not wrong!! This is more the impulse shopping I'd like to do - the sort of thing that lasts for years and you truly love. A great colour for your hair too!! I might go have a look in Reiss, though it's still somewhere I cannot spend money :) Nevertheless I did see a coat in Aspire which is similar colour but a bit more fitted and also v swirly. Sadly I don't need a new coat and will just look at it longingly...
Posted by: Bouncing Evil Ginner | September 30, 2008 at 06:59 PM
It is so much better than the m&s one! I always think that you have to have a nice coat because it always covers up nice outfits which annoys me sometimes. In winter it's the first thing people see you in really so it is worth getting one that you LOVE because you will feel really confident in it!
I just bought this one from Topshop
http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=19551&storeId=12556&categoryId=42390&parent_category_rn=42385&productId=867446&langId=-1
and it makes me feel so smart wearing it, I was walking around campus today thinking 'I look gooooooood' (as arrogant as that sounds haha)
Posted by: Helen | September 30, 2008 at 06:59 PM
beautiful, beautiful coat! i'm coming to terms with the fact that i'll probably have to drop some major cash for a coat this winter too, since i can't find the quality i'm looking for otherwise..
Posted by: roxanne | September 30, 2008 at 07:06 PM
Title was from Gossip Girl right?
Gorgeous coat! Definitely worth the money. I need a new one and now im ever so slightly tempted to go into Reiss... uh oh!
Posted by: Sasha | September 30, 2008 at 07:07 PM
hey!
fabulous coat, and I think it is worth the splurge, especially if it makes you happy, and if you feel good in it, it is definitely worth it. besides, the winter months are the longest, and it will be of good use.
love the blog too!
you are so pretty.
come visit my blog sometime, i linked you, and i would absolutely love it if you linked me.
Posted by: lise | September 30, 2008 at 07:47 PM
It's amazing! Congrats! Anything to get through the winter, right ;)
Posted by: Idhren | September 30, 2008 at 07:58 PM
The coat really IS georgeous! Love the collar, the colour (hey, almost a rhyme!) and how it falls at the hem. It looks like a dress, only warmer. ;-)
Posted by: brini | September 30, 2008 at 07:58 PM
the coat is actually amazing. x
Posted by: sarah | September 30, 2008 at 08:01 PM
not worth the £265! sorry.
i too, adore Reiss but always wait for their sales. Just incase you are looking for unsual coats, I have had 2 very special 1s from a lady who has a stall at Portobello market in Notting Hill. She creates really interesting neck shapes, pity she doesnt have a website. Prices dead reasonable too, between £55 and £90! check it out next time your in London!
Look out for her big afro, she only sells coats and they have huge pins in them!
Thanx Rach x
Posted by: Burlesque_brummie03 | September 30, 2008 at 08:27 PM
That shape IS divine! That's sales at it's best haha. I wish my mother would tell me to treat myself.... I think in her opinion I already treat myself far more than I should.
Posted by: Shen-Shen | September 30, 2008 at 08:48 PM
Wowwweee I admire you for taking the plunge!
I just chickened out at the 'confirm your order' page on urban outfitter for a pair of £15 glasses...!
It is a truly gorgeous coat.
x
Posted by: Gem Fatale | September 30, 2008 at 09:05 PM
The title is from Gossip Girl! (as Sasha has said!)
The coat is gorgeous, the shape is amazing. A good investment, I think, and a coat is for ever, so it needs to be perfect.
Posted by: Alex | September 30, 2008 at 09:14 PM
I adore the coat on you especially knowing that it's not from topshop and you won't find a zillion other girls wearing it! Love cadbury purple...one of my favourites! For some purchases the necessary thought processes are useful...for example you only need to wear it 265 times for the price to be ok!
Posted by: winnie | September 30, 2008 at 09:53 PM
ohh thats beautiful! "thats what student loans are for!" - LOL that made me laugh
Posted by: trisha | September 30, 2008 at 10:08 PM
£265?! Good god that is a lot. Still, if you've been thinking about it ever since you first tried it on and it makes you feel fabulous, then totally worth it. You could always try doing that thing where you justify the cost by calculating the cost per wear. (e.g. going on the assumption you'd wear it 6 months, October to March. Then going by your previous coat wearage of 2 years, that'd be a total of 12 months. Then it'd be roughly £22 per month yes? Which is much more reasonable! If I did maths, that would be the kind of question I'd love to see!)
Posted by: Leah | September 30, 2008 at 10:11 PM
SIMPLY AMAZING! So you
will you be taking the other one back?
I love what your mom said, she's so cool, my mom would call me insane and scold me
poo I don't get bonus points because I don't know the title.
Posted by: Dana | September 30, 2008 at 10:19 PM
So sweet. I love this coat. Great find.
Posted by: Lavender | September 30, 2008 at 10:33 PM
that is a lovely coat! the colour is amazing, I need to start saving up for a winter coat as well!
Posted by: nenuca | September 30, 2008 at 10:37 PM
a coat is an investment piece and you need to put money into it, plus it'll last you forever!
tsk listen to me,i just spent over £100 on boots!
sainsburys noodles here we come!
Posted by: elisabeth | September 30, 2008 at 11:15 PM
What a wonderful coat. The color and volume are great. I suspect it was worth the price.
Posted by: Amelia | October 01, 2008 at 12:03 AM
Ooh it looks so lovely on you! I had my perfect coat last winter, but someone stole it on a night out!
Posted by: Victoria | October 01, 2008 at 12:48 AM
Gorgeous coat! It looks so much better on you than it does on the model on the Reiss Website. Totally worth it lol.
Posted by: Cristina | October 01, 2008 at 12:53 AM
Your new coat is so, so, so, so fantastic! It's an investment piece for sure.
Posted by: lilacstevens | October 01, 2008 at 01:05 AM
OH my GOD. That coat is wonderful, and it's just perfect on you! I love the shape, and the color...wow.
You can always trust the VF&VGSA's!
Posted by: Tavi | October 01, 2008 at 03:33 AM
Yay, isnt a great feeling finding that perfect coat? True that its so practicle that its easier to now feel guilty. I really like the one you chose, it's good because you can wear that style everyday, and also for going out and more formal occasions. Its all in one!
Posted by: niceandshiny | October 01, 2008 at 03:41 AM
Its so worth it, ive been to Reiss at Heathrow airport on the day i flew back and was amazed by their quality and the stuff they have. They have amazing designer looking skirts! Reiss is practically a contemporary designer!!! xoxo
Posted by: cordelia | October 01, 2008 at 03:42 AM
It is amazing! Once I went into Reiss during a huge sale and they had fantastic leather bomber jackets in light blue and light beige for $160, and they're skirts for about $40-80, that normally go for about $200 - I'm still wondering whether I should've bought that bomber, or perhaps a pair of jeans with zips at the ankles for $80 . . . sigh.
Posted by: KD | October 01, 2008 at 03:56 AM
Haha, GG for sure... but I'm pretty sure GG got it from Shakespeare? Strumpet was the kicker. :)
AMAZING COAT!
By the way, maybe it's just the lighting, but it looks like it mutes the color of your hair a bit?
Posted by: sunset | October 01, 2008 at 06:10 AM
It looks perfect on you :D I've been on a coat buying drive this week and managed to get a totally gorge one from ebay for forty English pounds :) woop! Well done on your purchase :P
Posted by: Sophie | October 01, 2008 at 10:34 AM
Oh, forgot to say! Its better buying 1 good quality and va va vooom item than 3 "okay" items only to find yourself still lusting for that 1 good quality item! Good job Selina!! Didn't he say it was cashmere? OMG!!!! :-)
Posted by: cordelia | October 01, 2008 at 02:38 PM
It's gorgeous! Both the colour and shape are perfect, and it makes you look a little more mature too :) I'm jelous of your winter, I have about 25 gorgeous coats but rarely get to wear them cause I live in Australia. Then again, spring dresses are pretty fun, too!
Posted by: Anna | October 01, 2008 at 02:46 PM
Lovely!!! I am a reader of yours, and I have commented once or twice before but not very often and I just want to say what a beautiful coat! I once went into Reiss during a HUGE sale (they have it in the states too) and they were selling leather bomber jackets for $160 in light blue and I think beige, but it may have been light pink or something. They also had their normally $200-ish skirts for $40-$70, and skinny jeans with ankle zips (how I love ankle zips!) for about $80. I didn't buy anything though because I was with my family and my sister wanted to get ASAP. Next time, perhaps . . . By the way, could you just take a quick peek at my blog because I just got a lovely new dress that I think you would really appreciate. Thank you, and your blog is awesome!
Posted by: KD | October 01, 2008 at 03:04 PM
Ooops . . . I commented twice, this makes it three times. I though I had commented but I wasn't sure so I just thought I's comment again! Sorry!
Posted by: KD | October 01, 2008 at 03:05 PM
That coat is amazing! Well worth the price. It's nice to treat one's self everyone once in awhile...but the people around right now are cheaper than me and they make me self-conscious about buying clothes! Oh, woe is me.
Posted by: The Clothes Horse | October 01, 2008 at 03:41 PM
That sounds like a standard conversation of when I was at University...I always called my mother before buying something a little pricey too! When it was about buying a coat my mother always told me to look for something warm enough while I was searching for a nice style firt thing...
By the way, your coat looks really nice and that is a standard price for the stores near where I live so don't feel too guilty this time! Even the little store near the supermarket here sells a nice coat with a price tag of 325 Euros...ah the italian countryside! This is why is so difficult to have a shopping day for me with my actual budget!!! I bought a little coat from Zara last month, but I feel I need another one. I'll probably have to wait another "2 hours train shopping trip"...!
Posted by: alicepleasance | October 01, 2008 at 03:53 PM
Delightful and worth every penny :)
Posted by: anthea | October 01, 2008 at 04:57 PM
It's a beautiful coat - you'll get many years of wear from it so it's worth the investment.
Posted by: Always In Style | October 01, 2008 at 07:57 PM
wow it is beautiful!! that colour is gorgous - purple is always a good autumn colour. if you think about it, you're never going to throw this away, so £265 isn't that much when you divide it over say.. 10 years?!
there aren't really any details that give away what year it was made in, its timeless so enjoy it!!
i bet the sales assistant works on commission!!!
Posted by: Penny | October 01, 2008 at 10:47 PM
that coat is gorgeous and it looks really great on you!
the color is amazing also.
Posted by: sam | October 01, 2008 at 11:29 PM
I love that your mam was so supportive of the purchase, mine would have had a fit!!
A coat is the one thing that its worth investing in though, and it is lovely =]
Posted by: shesdressingup | October 01, 2008 at 11:53 PM
Coat last a life time. You look great in it and you are so happy. JUSTIFIED!!!
Posted by: Jocehairart | October 02, 2008 at 01:34 AM
I totally agree with the SAs, it is absolutely divine!
Posted by: Anna Pope | October 02, 2008 at 06:56 AM
Those SAs are just trying to get that money out of your pocket XD
but it is an impeccable coat, I must say. Pretty much worth that money haha
It's so whimsical looking too, the way you're on your tippy toes makes you look like a little girl excited for christmas and what not =)
janeaca.blogspot.com
Posted by: Cakemaster | October 02, 2008 at 06:59 AM
I've been having this bout of wanting to purchase something expensive but i know i will wear for ages, but i havent taken the plunge. Hurray for you doing so, afterall your mom is right :]
Posted by: melly | October 02, 2008 at 08:14 AM
Whooa thats a lot of money! BUT it does looks gorgeous on you!! Great color it has
Posted by: ms-mojo-rising | October 02, 2008 at 01:41 PM
Oh yes, a great coat is always worth the investment. I am currently doing my own extensive search for a new wool one!
Posted by: christine | October 02, 2008 at 05:12 PM
oh my gosh I love love love this coat. it is unbelievably gorgeous! TOTALLY worth it - and totally the kind of thing you absolutely can't pass up! Amazing!
Posted by: Becca | October 02, 2008 at 07:50 PM
oh Miss Flyingsaucer!!! that is a whole lot of money, but I have to say it looks lovely on you and the colour is so pretty, I guess if you can afford it, you might as well go for better quality coats that will last long, a bit like an investment and it makes you feel good as well so it is definitely worth it.
Posted by: Chic Looks | October 02, 2008 at 08:33 PM
:) the conversation between you and the sales man is so funny. i could picture it in my head.
the coat is worth every penny. the colour is so great, very different, the style of the coat as well... and cashmire? ooooh, you can not get cashmire in topshop or m&s.
Posted by: pony | October 02, 2008 at 10:35 PM