Get Cape Wear Cape (and Parka and Camel Coat) Fly

I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited by Autumn. Moreover I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited by… coats. Urgh is that pathetic? Maybe not if you feast your eyes on the coat bonanza that is Autumn 2010. We can take our pick… from grungy parkas and sheepskin aviators to cosy camels and fairy-tale capes.

I picked up this little Tommy Hilfiger number on my travels in Asia last year. As a parka virgin, I quickly become obsessed, refusing to take it off despite the sweltering heat inside restaurants, and ignoring its padded, restrictive nature which made delicate sushi eating difficult.

Sometimes I worry that my excitement over a trip to The Great Wall was mainly down to the fact that I could get away with legitimately wearing my parka and use it to it’s full potential! (We were there in December, and to say it was cold is an understatement) My parka is not the flimsy, canvass, Topshop kind, (though I do like those too) this is a robust jacket, kitted out with tartan fleece lining, ready to take on the elements with you!

Parka takin' on those elements

So normally I want to cry at the thought of the summer’s end, when all the ease of floating out of the house in just a dress gradually becomes unfeasible and frantically scrabbling around for your jacket, scarf and gloves, late for work becomes the norm. Well now with outerwear as the main event on the Autumn catwalks, showcasing some amazingly cool and intricately made coats, wrapping up for outside will be my favourite part of the day.

Wang does Wall Street

Alexander Wang Fall 2010

I’ve been getting bored of femininity of late. Ditsy print tea dresses are nice and all but they’re too easy. You can pop one over your head, slip on some pumps and you’re away – fashionable without even trying. I want a fashion challenge! 

So I was over the moon when Alexander Wang came to us with luxe sportswear and I was totally ready to ditch the ditz. Just when you thought ill fitting t-shirts and nylon jackets were street urchin apparel, Wang went and made sporty, stylish. Shame he wasn’t around in the late 90s to bump up Mel C’s ratings. (Don’t worry Mel, you were always my favourite). 

So tapping my trainer-heel clad foot, I have been anxiously anticipating his next collection. Fall 2010 brings you the banker’s suit, with a twist. These suits have been ‘deconstructed’, literally snipped up to create something a little less stock exchange and a little more sexy. Jackets have been cropped or have had velvet or chenille worked into them, but my personal favourites are the pinstrip slip dresses complete with lace trim. Ohhhh I want one so badly. 

                                                  

And what’s so great is that 11 years after the film came out, Wang, with his big old gothic trench coats, sunglasses and chunky heeled boots, has made Matrix-chic acceptable!  Yesss finally it’s ok to run around with pistols for hands and Rage Against The Machine playing in the background, repeating ‘Misturr Aanderson’ …..

Essentially though this collection oozes sex appeal. After the light and funky S/S, Wang clearly wanted to prove that there is another side to him. Models in thigh high leg warmers and pleated pinstripe skirts scream naughty school girl, and then there’s the slashed leather, trailing chiffon and bondage-style straps across the chest…. Excellent, I was looking for a new look for the office. It’s inspired by Wall Street after all…