Winter Warmers.

Ah Winter - when the mornings become just as dark as the nights, and the weather as deceiving as a good  Instagram filter. Let's face it, when you think about it like that, it's almost enough to make you turn up the thermostat and send you whimpering to the warm embrace of your bed until the first glimmer of Spring arrives. However, to tempt you out of hibernation, we've scoured around for a selection of vintage coats so hot that they'd rival the dearly missed temperatures of Summer....almost. 

1. The 1960s Coat

This English Lady branded coat is quite the vintage gem and fits in perfectly with the British heritage vibes which are always popular with the ever lust-worthy Mulberry designers. This particular coat is made of 100% pure wool and comes in an appeasing palette of grey with subtle flecks of orange and brown which add further depth to rich quality of design. The coat is slightly flared which makes for a flattering silhouette in spite of the many layers that we'll undoubtedly be wrapping ourselves in this winter.  As far as detailing goes, the rounded collar is atypical of 1960's fashion but the five statement buttons help this coat fit in with contemporary styles, thus making it a truly timeless piece. So, dust off the vinyl player and your favourite Beatles record and get ready to embrace the swingin' sixties in this stylish swing coat available here

2. The Tweed Coat.

This Alexon Herringbone offering is the perfect coat for all of you ladies who have to hop around the place for business meetings. Smart, sophisticated and stylish, it makes for the perfect office coat. The cut screams minimalism but the luxurious velvet collar adds the hint of elegance needed to really dress up a monotonous work wardrobe; the notched lapels and double breasted fastening are the final stroke of professionalism. This coat is sure to send the boardroom into hushed silence when you make your entrance. To quote the ultimate female entrepreneur; "Dress shabbily and they remember the dress; dress impeccably and they remember the woman." You can see additional images of this dress and make the smart decision to purchase it here

3. The Camel Coat.

I don't know what it is about a camel coat, but they always seem to epitomise ladylike elegance and style, and this Ravens coat is no exception. A stunning blend of soft 70% virgin wool and 30% camel hair, this coat is a true beauty. It features a slight flare to the hem and comes with a matching belt with slide buckle to really clinch in that waist and give you a more defined silhouette. Personally, I think a camel coat can really pull together a winter outfit, it might be something to do with its ability to stand out against the sea of greys and blacks which become a little bit tiresome during the winter months, yet it's still a universal shade that doesn't clash with any other colours. If you're looking for a coat which you can wear with virtually any outfit, then this could be for you.

4. The Cape

Don't they say to save the best until last? I admit, I've fallen a little bit in love with this H Moser cape. It's presented in the lovely autumnal shade of bottle green and is truly striking. With the likes of Victoria Beckham and Olivia Palermo being partial to this style, it's fair to say that a cape coat is a must-have this season, and really sets apart the trend setters from the fashion followers.  This particular cape is a fantastic blend of thick wool which really adds a stunning shape to what can often be perceived as a shapeless garment. I personally suggest that you buy this little number before I get the chance to snap it up myself and add it to my ever expanding collection. 

So, there you have it - our best selection of coats to keep you both fashionable and warm this winter. The best part? You needn't even venture out into the cold to purchase them! As ever, our full collection of coats are conveniently available here. 

The Fur Debate...

Fur is perhaps the most controversial subject in the fashion world with fierce debates on the topic which have spanned over the course of decades, therefore it is often a difficult subject to broach.  As a concept, the selling of vintage clothing encourages the utilisation of all materials in a bid to promote sustainability, which means that we do sell vintage fur but we do so in accordance with the EU Wildlife Trade Regulations, and hence have a "no new fur" policy. 

In regard to selling fur, I feel that it is necessary to address the issues and history that comes with such a controversial topic rather than to shy away from them, yet I do so with an open mind. The 90's saw perhaps one of the biggest anti-fur movements in contemporary history, with PETA's supermodel led campaign  entitled "I'd Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur". Yet, in recent years fur has unabashedly crept back into the limelight with some of the faces (Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell) of that same campaign wearing fur. At the end of the day, fur comes down to personal preference and most of you will have had your minds made up on the topic well before stumbling onto this post so it would be unethical for us to either encourage or discourage our buyers on such a sensitive matter; however we feel that it is necessary to approach the subject with both honesty and sensitivity.  

With the main issues addressed, I will say that our collection of fur is presented in excellent condition - no stains, no odours or balding - such is the quality of vintage fur. Vintage fur is often referred to as "glamour without the guilt", and this is something worth considering if you are going to buy fur; you get the same luxury and quality without the animals of today dying. It almost makes sense to recycle vintage garments rather than to hide them away at the back of a closet whilst waiting around for this ethical dilemma to be solved; this way it avoids the unnecessary sourcing of new fur. Debbie Berwick, a well-renowned vintage retailer states “As long as the animals aren't going to be killed now, the coats that are here now, I cant see any problem re-wearing them. I don't like the fact that they're going to be killing animals in the future but I cant see the problem in wearing vintage." 

Regardless of your own personal stance on the matter, there is no denying that fur -  real or faux -will be big news this winter with celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Lily Allen and Kate Moss all being snapped wearing designs of real fur. Style and fashion aside, these celebrities applaud the unique luxury, warmth and ecologically-conscious properties that go along with choosing authentic vintage fur over man-made materials. We stock a wide variety of vintage fur which can be found here, with more to be added. The images above are both taken from our collection with the white fur coat being almost identical to the famous fur coat worn by Marilyn Monroe. Our collection is of phenomenal quality and luxurious design