Buy

I was watching an Oprah back when Oprah was a little more OPRAH! and she was having a fashion show of some sort. I don’t remember who the designer was or whether it was a Fall or Spring line, but they gave one piece of fashion advice I resoundingly agree with: the one wardrobe item most women do not have, but should is an evening coat.

I am not talking a cute pea coat, or a really nice tailored wool jacket- I mean a real and true evening coat.

About five years ago I saw one that I fell in love with. It was from a store called Arden B. that I really should not have even walked into because of the prices. It was cream brocade cut in a military style, the material, elegant and the pattern floral and feminine, yet the cut gave it edge and kept it interesting. I had to have it.

I cannot even remember how much it was, but it was enough that come Christmas it was the ONLY present I got from my husband that year. This single gift coming from a man who bought me a cell phone, Tiffany’s bracelet, a load of clothes, and a $100 gift card to Anthropologie for our first Christmas together. We had only been dating three months, he got a sweater.

Even given the price I have never once regretted its purchase. In fact, it really and truly is a wardrobe staple of mine. It 100% enhances my outfit when I put it on. You know when clothes can make you feel a certain way? Well this coat makes me feel and it does so every time I put it on, it makes me feel like I have my act together.

Shortly after that Christmas we went to The City to see The Producers with Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick. While we were standing in line outside my coat was complemented and for some reason that random act of kindness meant the world to me. Possibly because it was such an extravagant purchase at the time- so wherever you are young, hip, female NYC theater worker, thank you for your shared impeccable fashion sense.