Because Sometimes An Adult Wants To Wear A Plush Bat Coat

Sometimes that bat coat is from Forever 21 (AKA Forever 35), and sometimes that adult is me.

YMC/ You Must Create Created The Perfect Spring Trench

Utilitarian British brand YMC's (You Must Create) -- they remind me of Madewell if Madewill made clothes for men and womenfolk too -- just released their Spring collection, and the anchor piece is their trench coat. It's everything I want in a trench  -- perfect fit, excellent tailoring, Angie Dickinson leanings, POCKETS, OBVIOUSLY -- PLUS Paddington Bear toggles.

Izzy Lane For Topshop Coats Look Way Warm, Way Wonderful

Topshop's going all ethical, which is nice! -- with their Izzy Lane wool collaboration. Founder Isobel Lane makes her wool from her own flocks of endangered primitive breed sheep in the Yorkshire Dales, which is totally what I would do if I were really nice and had a lot of time to do nice things.

How perfectly "smart," as the Brits say, is this faux-fur-trimmed boyfriend coat? I love when other people do nice things for me, so this is totally perfect.

$390, Izzy Lane For Topshop

$200, Topshop

Another Topshop winter coat. The faux-fur is detachable! You don't see enough rust-colored coats with detachable bits, you know?

$440, Unique, Topshop

So dramatic!

You're Lookin' At The New Owner Of A Faux Leopard Print Minnie Mouse Coat

Now how one becomes the owner of a vintage faux leopard print coat with Minnie Mouses scattered happily across is no accident. No accident at all. It's fate.

Thursday morning I was waiting for the train here in Brooklyn. Then, like a freaking ORACLE, this woman walks by wearing this faux fur coat with MINNIE MOUSES printed all over it. I noticed the coat first, and I expected her to be a batshit baglady, but she was totally pulled together and looked RAD. She was probably late-40s, early 50s, and looked like the SHIT. Anyway, I was like, what is that? Jeremy Scott? Jean-Charles de Castelbajac or something? Asish? I paused my game of Word Mole (at which I RULE, by the way), and I snapped a photo of her. Idiotically, the flash and shutter sound effect were both on. Nice one, Tams. Anyway, she didn't notice, but some people around her did. I wheeled around and walked very quickly, in a way that surely called attention to myself and my failure to be covert in any way, and I headed toward the front of the train. (And finished my Word Mole game. And I thought. I thought about that coat).

Anyway, I Googled "animal print Mickey Mouse coat" later that day, and GUYS I'M NOT KIDDING! IT CAME UP ON ETSY!!!!! Not the exact same coat, but almost. It was reserved for someone, but it looked like that someone slept on it because it'd been on hold for almost a month. I emailed the owners, Tarantula Sisters (who have some amazing vintage, btw), who confirmed that the original reserver was no longer interested (SUCKER!), and they sold it to me for $100 (someone on this Ebay message board paid $500 for one back in the day). SAME. FREAKING. DAY, guys!


Anyway, will I look like a wackadoo bag lady in it? Probably. Or a '70s pimp from a Blacksploitation flim? Or worse -- someone from Williamsburg? I'm sure. But I DON'T CARE! This jacket was MEANT to be mine. This must be how those dudes on "Pawn Stars" feel when they open a cardboard box marked that says, like Brawny paper towels on the outside, and it's filled with some total treasure on the inside. And should I happen to see that woman from the train who led me to my own treasure I'll nod in thanks... and pretend not to notice if someone takes a camera phone photo of me from behind.

This Trench Coat Grew A Beard

($380, Topshop)

That's what happened here, right?

I Dream Of: Wren's Leopard Fur Coat

($795, Wren, Shopbird)

The leopard fur coat. It's so classic, so decade-unspecific. So Anne Bancroft-classy and at the same time so old-lady-with-a-cigarette-hanging-out-of-her-mouth-and-waving-a-flyswatter-around crazy.

But mainly, I just love how dreamy a leopard print coat can be. What's under it? Who cares. The coat is the outfit.

I Dream Of Diane Von Furstenberg

($725, Diane Von Furstenberg, DVF.com)

I both dream of and die for this Diane Von Furstenberg navy sequin coat from the Diane Von Furstenberg Fall 2010 collection. Well, I die figuratively for it. Not literally. No coat is worth actually dying for. I knew I loved sequins, but I never knew I could love navy so much. I'm constantly amazing myself, aren't I? 

Diane Von Furstenberg coat

($495, Diane Von Furstenberg, Saksfifthavenue.com)

Please also note the excellence of the Axelle DVF sequined cardigan, which comes in black and navy. Normally I'd go for black sequins, but since I already own a black sequined cardigan and a black sequined t-shirt, I'd go for navy. Also, navy's apparently having a moment this fall.

Anyway, since I'm now clearly on a DVF binge, please enjoy my grown-up girl dress that I bought this summer. It's the DVF Anina khaki silk shirtdress, and it looks casual, but it's really not. It's basically a gorgeous earthy canvas that you can style approximately 17,032 different ways.

I bought my DVF Anina dress (on sale!) at Diane T., which is a really nice boutique in Cobble Hill. It's kind of like a touch on the more conservative/mainstream side than is Bird. And a hair more affordable.

Finally, I TRULY think someone should buy me this Diane Von Furstenberg leather wrap dress (!!!!). I've worked very hard this year, I've been a very good girl, and I always finish all of my broccoli before asking for dessert.

($945, Diane Von Furstenberg, NeimanMarcus.com)

Hayden-Harnett: Surprise Sample Sale!

I left the last Hayden-Harnett sample sale empty-handed, but they made up for it with this sale. They announced it on Tuesday afternoon on Facebook, but sadly I wasn't able to get down to the Nolita store until last night after work. It was obvious from the largely empty racks and the disaster-zone dressing room that they'd had quite a crowd during the day. Amazingly enough, the sale featured actual samples from the fall 2010 line, meaning mostly small sizes. And yet...she shoots, she scores!


The salesgirl was sort of instrumental in convincing me to buy this cool bomber, the Cromwell jacket, in charcoal herringbone. It also comes in brown (below, far left):



Only $60, and guess what it retails for? $538! Jeebus. (Methinks H-H's price points are a wee bit high, but their sample-sale prices, in this case, were just right.) In any case, I win. Is it time for wool jackets yet?



I also got a cozy, cropped sweater vest (above right, worn open). Love that scoop neck! And the zipper! Needed no convincing. $60. No word on retail price, as it's not on the H-H site yet. After a long, annoying day, that's what you call retail therapy, folks.

Some other things from the fall collection that I'll be on the lookout for at the next sale:


Welles large hobo tote, $544, and I guess a Welles hobo/cross-body bag (as yet unavailable)—love that poppy color!



Pistol & Dagger scarf, $95, in many awesome fall colors.



Coats and jackets galore!

The sample sale is at the Nolita store in NYC, on Elizabeth between Houston and Prince, and runs through Sunday, from 12-8 each day. Everything is $20-$70. Long live Hayden-Harnett!

Mackage And Housing Works Want You To Donate Your Coat During Fashion Week!

Outwear brand Mackage -- think slim but warm jackets that evoke European ambiance and post-Soviet pathos, if jackets are capable of doing that; Jessica Biel, Eva Mendes, Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, Halle Berry, Hilary Duff, and Penn Badgley are fans -- is not only the sole outerwear brand to show at Fashion Week, but they've also partnered up with Housing Works to accept your gently loved coats.

Donate your coats between February 13 and February 22 at any of the following Housing Works:
143 West 17th Street
157 East 23rd Street
306 Columbus Avenue
1730 Second Avenue
245 West 10th Street
202 East 77th Street
122 Montague Street, Brooklyn

Additional Drop-Off Locations:
Warren-Tricomi Salon @ The Plaza Retail Collection – 1 West 58th Street, 2nd Floor
Algonquin Hotel – 59 West 44th Street
Joe’s Pub Public Theater – 425 Lafayette Street
Zampa Wine Bar + Kitchen – 306 West 13th Street
5 Ninth Restaurant/Bar – 5 Ninth Avenue

And, should you feel like it, you can bid on one (or all) of three Mackage coats donated by Maggie Gyllenhaal, Peter Sarsgaard and Lindsay Price. The coats will be auctioned online at Shophousingworks.com until February 19th at 7:00pm. You can check out the coats in the windows of the Housing Works at 17thStreet.

And, by the way, not only are the Housing Works thrift stores some of the best thrift stores in New York, but their proceeds benefit homeless and low-income New Yorkers living with HIV and AIDS. Housing Works is also the largest community-based AIDS service organization in the United States, and the country's largest minority-controlled AIDS service organization.

Merry Christmas to Me!

Since this is probably the last purchase I'll make before the holiday, I guess this is my Christmas present to myself:



Soia & Kyo "Sohie" jacket, on sale for $227.90 at Nordstrom. Whee! The cool black coat I've been searching for! 80 percent wool's probably even pretty warm, right? And this means I get to give my old one to the New York Cares Coat Drive. Double awesome.

What did you buy yourself, if anything, with the holidays as a handy excuse?

Get It or Forget It? (Or Wait for the Sample Sale?)

Help me, fair Bingers. I can't decide whether to get this coat. I desperately need a new black winter coat, but I'm not sure if this one is The One. Help!



L.A.M.B. "Mix" wool nylon coat, $254.90 (which is 40 percent off thanks to Nordstrom's half-yearly sale). It seems like it has just enough offbeat touches to make it cool--I like the weird little patchwork thing on it, and the seams down the front--but is it a little too menswear? Will I hate it once the novelty wears off? Can I take the chance of not buying it by Monday, when the sale ends, in the hope of finding it for even less at next week's sample sale? Do I really care that much? What would Gwen Stefani do?

Gwen Stefani - New Music - More Music Videos

Massive FashionBinge Savinz at jb and me -- For Reals, 40% Off!

Hey fwenz! My new fwenz at jb and me -- they're a mother-daughter boutique in Holland, Michigan, and they're expanding their online presence -- are relaunching their WHOLE site and just hooked us AWL up with a promo code for 40% off all original price items. Seriously.

Just use promo code: TAMAR (heeee!) from now until November 2nd.

A few things I'd recommend, nu?

($99, BCBG Girls, jbandme.com)

$59 with awesome promo code TAMAR! The mirrored heel is holiday footwear HOTNESS!

($130, Population, jbandme.com)

A VERY Catherine coat. Only $78 with promo code TAMAR!

($148, Free People, jbandme.com)

I love everything about this dress, and it looks like it costs a bathousand bucks! But it's only $88 with promo code TAMAR!

Now have AT IT, ladies!

Monday Mortses!

A few selects to start your week off right... by encouraging you to gouge your eyeballs out of their sockets!

(Apprx $163, Topshop)

I mean... that's just... a lot of patent. Red patent, no less. No really... there should be less of this.

(Apprx $132, Topshop)

Ooh! The Chewbacca look = HUGE for Fall 07. Honestly, the only thing worse than real fur is horrendously cheap-looking acrylic fur. Can you even fathom how ratty this thing would look at like 4AM Sunday morning after a smoky pub crawl? Classy!

($51, Lip Service, Sourpussclothing.com)
Speaking of classy...

($26, Asos.com)
Oh, Sienna. What have you done?

(Adidas)

Mmm. Nothing says "sexy" like tight elastic bands squeezing the most universally flattering part of every woman's thighs! Add in some cargo pockets to highlight the sausage-casing effect, and it doesn't really get much sexier than this, ladies!

JACKETS: PART 2: Everybody In Great Grey Coats!

A follow-up post to my grey coats post, part I from the other day, in descending order of prostitution location.


Turnin' Tricks At Soho House:

(Apprx $1248 USD, Alexander Wang, Brownsfashion.com)

Via Catwalkqueen. This coat by Alexander Wang, who is fucking everywhere right now is a work of art. I wouldn't know whether to wear it (and risk dripping coffee on it, as I so inevitably do on the walk to the train at least two out of five mornings a week) or have it mounted and framed and hang it above my bed.

Turnin' Tricks At The Time:

($594, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Bleuclothing.com)

Also a thing of pristine beauty, although nowhere near as gorgeous as the Alexander Wang jacket. It could be winter forever if I had that to keep me warm.


Turnin' Tricks At The Hotel On Rivington:

($232, Plastic Island, Blondette.com)

So simple and little girl chic without being too barfy cutesy pie.


Turnin' Tricks At The Times Square Hilton:

($139, Asos.com)

I absolutely love this jacket, both because and despite the fact that it's named for my favorite trashionista namesake, Lindsay Lohan. And it's waaaaay cheaper than a Mike & Chris, which it totes looks like.



Turnin' Tricks In A Port Authority Bathroom:

($68, Roxy, Tillys.com)

Roxy would usually never be my thing, but this plaid grey coat is too cute. Tillys and Roxy -- who knew?

JACKETS: PART 1: Everybody In Great Grey Coats!

I'm covered (I wish, literally) in coat choices for what I PRAY is any impending cold weather.
This is my top pick:

($655, Robert Rodriguez, Active Endeavors)
Pristine, though at $655, it's no steal.




($640, Rick Owens Lilies, Net-a-porter.com)
... Or save yourself $15 and go for this amazingly chic yet comfy-looking Rick Owens Lilies wrap. I wanna snuggle up into it and hibernate 'til this God-awful humidity passes.



So... some more eco(-nomically)-friendly options:


($343, French Connection, Asos)
Very Sgt. Pepper's chic.




($308, Mike & Chris, Revolveclothing.com)
Ahhh... Mike & Chris. I'd make some lame fratty joke about the two men I'd most like to be between, but a.) that's lame, b.) I'm too tired to think and c.) Chris actually stands for Christine.



($145, Chan Chan, Asos)
Totally the type of trench you'd wear nothing under. If you're that type of trench-wearer.



($148, Free People, Urban Outfitters)
Highly cute.


(Apprx $170 USD, Topshop)
The Jackie O. look isn't me, but this is still darling.



($319, Walter, Saks Fifth Avenue)
Very uptown.


($49, Max Azen, Modcloth.com)
Vintage, very back-to-basics staple.


($36, Coffee Shop, Nordstrom)
Adorable twist on a standard trench, and the PRICE! Eeee!




($38, Forever 21)
Awesome Mike & Chris knock off!!



($29, Old Navy)
Finally... so no one will mistake this for the Robert Rodriguez version, but it's still really cute.