Up Front by Emma Hart

Read Post

Up Front: The British Are Coming

136 Responses

First ←Older Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 Newer→ Last

  • B Jones,

    I intend to replace my perfectly good but a bit boring black wool coat (ankle length, flared from the waist) with something along the scarlet lines, but it would be even better if someone did a version with a hood. Hoods are so useful and never a pain when you don't need them, but hardly any high-end winter coats or even raincoats have them.

    But I saw the coat of awesomeness on the bus the other night. It was a lush jadey green, with a matching green feather boa collar. I've never seen anything like it, and I'd guess it was custom-made.

    The problem with DIY coatmaking is not so much the sewing machine action, but all the pressing and interfacing and tailoring you have to do as well. I've tried it and the results were disappointing, and you don't want to be disappointed with large quantities of fabric at $40+ a metre.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 976 posts Report

  • Isabel Hitchings,

    I assume "fuck it it fits me" will also produce high-waisted jeans with room for actual hip/bottoms?

    Christchurch • Since Jul 2007 • 719 posts Report

  • Emma Hart,

    I assume "fuck it it fits me" will also produce high-waisted jeans with room for actual hip/bottoms?

    Indeed. We're big on waistage.

    I have a good coat story too, but it happened to someone else.

    Don't let that stop you.

    This indicates that you, like the entire F1 racing industry, supports Hitler. Just to make you aware.

    Pretty much this exact thought went through my head, but I didn't want to say it.

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report

  • Josh Addison,

    Don't let that stop you.

    Actually, what was stopping me was that I was too lazy to write it all down. Then I remembered that I already had, in another place, a long time ago.

    Onehunga, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 298 posts Report

  • Kyle Matthews,

    Pretty much this exact thought went through my head, but I didn't want to say it.

    That's because you didn't want to highlight the fact that your red coat makes you a Man U supporter.

    (I'm trying to change the trend from 'all threads revert to the copyright thread', to 'all threads become field theory'.)

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report

  • JoJo,

    I am obscenely proud of my winter coat. It's ORANGE (and that is yelled, because it's not some soft girly orange, but fire and rage orange). It's pure wool, with beautiful satiny lining/

    I get compliments every time I wear it, and have been stopped by strangers asking where I got it.

    And then I have to tell them that I got it for 5 bucks at a charity shop, and they will never ever ever have a coat like mine. (And then I blow raspberries and skip away.)

    Wellington • Since Jul 2008 • 95 posts Report

  • Andrew Stevenson,

    My winter coat is, by several miles of daylight, the most complimented thing I have. If you added together all the aesthetic praise I've received for my cat, my games cabinet and my breasts, it still wouldn't come close

    Are you looking for more praise?

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 206 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia,

    I have a greatcoat I never wear because 1) it's so damn heavy I stoop and dowager's hump doesn't work for me, and, 2) it's so damn thick everything else I'm wearing gets sweat-sticky inside of five minutes. Perhaps I should have thought through the utility of buying a piece of clothing not designed to be worn in a temperate climate...

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report

  • Emma Hart,

    And then I have to tell them that I got it for 5 bucks at a charity shop, and they will never ever ever have a coat like mine. (And then I blow raspberries and skip away.)

    That's the spirit!

    Are you looking for more praise?

    If I were, I'd have posted pictures of my coat like Deborah asked. (I don't have any pictures of my coat.)

    Then I remembered that I already had, in another place, a long time ago.

    Wow. Our lot liked trench coats with huge pockets so they could carry their water pistols in them. Though that didn't explain the penchant for jackboots.

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report

  • Hadyn Green,

    This indicates that you, like the entire F1 racing industry, supports Hitler. Just to make you aware.

    I had hoped folks wouldn't notice that.

    We Godwinned a fashion thread? Now I've seen everything.

    Nazis: bastards of the highest order but snappy dressers.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2090 posts Report

  • giovanni tiso,

    Nazis: bastards of the highest order but snappy dressers.

    My sister always wanted a Red Army coat but they don't make soldiers that short in Russia (or anywhere else, probably). She did however for a time use a tabard of my grandfather's and that was pretty spesh.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report

  • Emma Hart,

    Nazis: bastards of the highest order but snappy dressers.

    "Green says Nazis 'Snappy Dressers'"

    You know my favourite thing about the Nazis? All their hot blonde chicks.

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report

  • Sam F,

    After reading this I had to scroll back to the top to re-read the title.

    Took me a couple of seconds, but I clicked.

    Ashamed to say that I only just got it myself. Superb.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1611 posts Report

  • 3410,

    Ashamed to say that I only just got it myself.

    Don't be too ashamed. I'm sure I'm not the only one still working on it.

    Auckland • Since Jan 2007 • 2618 posts Report

  • Ian Dalziel,

    I'll have what she's having...

    Thought you might like a tattoo to go with that...

    (I am assuming yer not a Butlins gal...)

    ;- )

    yrs
    Joseph and His Technicolour Yawn
    from the Rank files and Madder Rows

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report

  • Dinah Dunavan,

    A long time ago I made myself a wonderful grey blue vinyl coat (a bit like these only not double breasted).
    Recently it was rescued from the back of the closet and woe it had gone all sticky.
    It is a great pattern if you ignore the shoulder pads, but I see they are making comeback along with MC Hammer pants.
    My decision has been to de-coat my wardrobe and start again.
    I fancy wine red brocade. I'll start with the curtain fabric shops.

    Dunedin • Since Jun 2008 • 186 posts Report

  • Hadyn Green,

    You know my favourite thing about the Nazis? All their hot blonde chicks.

    I imagine you'd quite like the work of Andrew Bawidamann. (Sort of NSFW due to WW2 pinups)

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2090 posts Report

  • Mahal,

    I bought a red trenchcoat this year (for a costume party I wished to attend as Carmen Sandiego, but that's not relevant here.) Apparently I wanted something completely impossible, judging from the blank stares and disdainful looks I got from shop assistants, but I am very pleased with my purchase.

    Haven't been quite brave enough to wear it with my red fedora on the bus yet.

    Auckland • Since Apr 2007 • 31 posts Report

  • Tom Beard,

    Excuse the plug, but there's a new NZ blog all about hats, boots, scarves and coats. The author's looking for photos of people in their favourite coats, and it sounds like many of you will be just the sort of people she wants to hear from!

    I have a few colourful jackets (and plenty of colourful shirts: they tend to be the real compliment-bait), but when it comes to outerwear I definitely tend to turn the saturation down. Too much black can get boring, but there's a reason why men's formalwear only comes in black*: it's sharp, sculptural and elegant.

    Case in point: my black double-breasted overcoat by Emporio Viri, bought from the sadly departed Satori last year. It has epaulettes and steel buttons, and fits me so crisply I swear that I look taller in it. Wrap on a white silk scarf, pull up part of the collar and scowl meaningfully: then just wait for the Mr Darcy comparisons to roll in. And I'm told that's a good thing.

    * except for white dinner jackets, of course.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1040 posts Report

  • Rachel Prosser,

    I love love my winter coat too, and it's a cross between Scarlett and Raspberry.

    Like JoJo I got it second-hand (in fact I've only had one winter coat, bought new. From Glassons when I was 17 with the big pleat running over each shoulder - very popular style at the time. In England I just went to Charity Shops, and I picked up my current coat here - I think in a recycled clothing shop

    I don't think I paid more than $10

    I've tried to guess the era (I think pre Fair Trading Act labelling regulations in 1987/91) The coat has two labels - One says "Wool and Angora, Made in England" and another smaller, less smart one says "Made in New Zealand under licence by Austin Brown" It could be anything from 50s onwards to my untrained eye, missing the mega shoulder pad era (of the aforementioned Glassons coat)

    Anyone know anything about Austin Brown? There have been a few coats on Trade Me with the label, all vintage/retro.

    The buttons are plastic, slightly squared, floral/geometric blend - I love them most of all, but sadly have lost a couple, which are proving difficult to replace (RIP Ballentynes Haberdashery!)

    Christchurch • Since Mar 2008 • 228 posts Report

  • Rich Lock,

    You know my favourite thing about the Nazis? All their hot blonde chicks.

    Ahem (Yes that is Ms Johansson).

    One day I will be rich, and cause it to exist.

    Yes. One day I shall be rich enough to have my own tailor. And I shall own the most finely tailored t-shirts, hoodies and jeans the world has ever seen!

    Slightly less tongue in cheek, the only thing that stops me becoming a serious dandy is the lack of the serious money needed to make it happen.

    I'd love a frock coat. Preferably in black leather with a red silk lining.

    back in the mother countr… • Since Feb 2007 • 2728 posts Report

  • RaggedJoe,

    I spent days worth of hours dragging my partner around shops looking for the perfect winter coat.

    Recomended listening for this activity, Winter Coat by Paul Kelly

    City of Sales • Since Sep 2008 • 72 posts Report

  • Hilary Stace,

    When I was young I just sewed anything I wanted. I remember making a long black wool coat with scarlet lining (all readily available at Evans' in Cuba Street) and it was so successful I made another one of cream canvas with purple satin lining. Have completely lost those skills.

    Wgtn • Since Jun 2008 • 3229 posts Report

  • Rob Hosking,

    Recomended listening for this activity, Winter Coat by Paul Kelly.

    ...been going round my head as well. It's either that or 'Fired our guns and the British kept a-coming...'

    Two of the times I've seen Kelly in Wellington he's opened with that song, accompanied by comments on the Welly weather. Soft Aussies....

    South Roseneath • Since Nov 2006 • 830 posts Report

  • bronwyn,

    I too, have a winter top layer that I'm inordinately proud of. It's not a coat, as such, but a thick wool, bright red, nurses cape, complete with name label of the last sister who wore it.

    Purchased from an op shop in Gisborne during what was meant to be a scorching hot summer East Cape camping trip turned out to be anything but (except for the East Coast, that was still present and correct).

    I'm embarrassed to say it has led to many many sitcom-esque jokes with a co-worker who insists upon calling it my superhero cape - e.g. "well, my budget came in under this month, that's how amazing my super powers are etc. etc."

    tamaki makaurau • Since Nov 2006 • 86 posts Report

First ←Older Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 Newer→ Last

Post your response…

This topic is closed.