Spring Fling: Brora's Tweed Coat

Brora Textured Weave Coat
With shiny black heels and a black dress.

 The second I spotted this Brora coat during their early spring preview I was sent right into Frock La-La Land: visions of outfits danced in my head.
As you know I've been refining my wardrobe steadily these last few months and a few key ideas remained: a black dress or three for going out in the evening, one pair of fancy black heels (The Kate Spade black patent "Talia" heel, shown above) and a new bag from Smythson, purchased for going out at night and for conservative events.
It seemed that the Brora coat was the piece to tie it all together.  I became quite preoccupied with the idea of it.
Then I wandered over to the consignment shop that does such a good job selling the things I no longer wear.  What was waiting for me?  A cheque in the exact amount of the price of the coat, including the shipping.  Well clearly it was meant to be, there's no argument over it.

The coat has a vintage feel with a trimmed peter pan collar and three-quarter sleeves.  Since I plan to wear this coat all through the spring, when undoubtedly it will still be chilly, I'll need to cover the exposed bits of my arms with some elbow-length gloves.

 I bought these gloves last year on a J.Crew sale and they are really excellent.  Constructed of a black leather they are lined in silk, which is warm enough yet doesn't restrict the wearing of the gloves to winter.
I'm planning to wear the coat with the gloves, the Kate Spade shoes, and a black dress.  The finishing touch is the Smythson handbag.

The Smythson handbag has matching blue stitching.

 The coat was seemingly made for the Smythson bag.  The bits of Smythson blue stitching on the bag echo the blue in the tweed, it's a vibrant yet classic blue.

The Smythson handbag even has a navy blue satin lining.

The navy blue lining of the Smythson bag.

 I'll have several occasions to haul out the coat to wear with a black dress, but I can also see the coat worn during the day, still dressed up yet not quite so serious.

The coat, though trimmed in black, also looks great with navy.

The coat with some navy Brooks Brothers loafers.

 Much as the coat could be worn with a casual tonal black outfit (think black sweater, cropped black pants and a black loafer or flat) it could also be worn with a navy outfit of skirt and sweater or pants and sweater.  The key would be to wear the coat with a sweater or blouse that also has a bracelet sleeve.

The coat is fully lined in beautiful blue silk.

 I didn't have to look through my closet very long before I discovered some older Brora pieces that pick up the blues in the tweed.

Brora silk blouse and skirt 2010.

One of the many things I love about Brora is the continuity within the range as far as colours are concerned.  These pieces are three years old yet they mesh and wear well together.

Blue Brora jumper with the skirt.

 In fact the coat is an excellent match for one of my favourite and best spring outfits: the Brora Liberty wool skirt and a blue jumper.  This outfit is both warm yet spring-like, perfect when it is still cold outside yet I cannot bear to wear any more gray or brown.

The coat also works perfectly with a dress from this past winter, which is currently in the Brora sale.  You can see the Leaf and Dash Dress here.

 The pale blue in the pattern of the dress picks up the lining of the coat.  These are the kinds of details that really make an outfit sing.
This dress is constructed of a patterned silk in a gorgeous mid-weight, heavy enough to drape and fall perfectly, lovely and comfortable to wear.

The coat with the Leaf and Dash dress.

www.brora.co.uk/

The coat has been adapted to a cold weather look on the website: it is styled with some fingerless wrist warmers and the warm Brora cashmere tights.

I hope your day goes well.  I plan to drink tea and accomplish some serious house-cleaning!
xoxDani