Wednesday, November 24, 2010

The Vintage Reworked Camel Coat

The thing about vintage clothing, or any bought clothing for that matter, is that you need not ever wear them in the state at which they come. Replace the buttons, cut up the collar, dye it black! Case in point, this vintage camel coat that I spent a little bit of money and effort re-working:

Number (N)ine sunglasses, vintage reworked camel coat, Ivan Grundahl jacket, H&M shirt and jeans, Tod's shoes

I bought the coat off eBay for next to nothing; but being an American size 38R, it was way too roomy, and the below-the-knee length was hardly flattering.

vintage single-breasted coat by American clothier Botany 500, who, fascinatingly, did Ryan O'Neal's wardrobe in 70's cult sapfest Love Story

I removed the stodgy brown buttons on the body and the cuffs,


laid the coat on buttonless, and I had an epiphany: laying each "breast" of the coat over another, I was able to wear the coat almost fully double-breasted with it fitting perfectly when closed. I then sped off to my local button store, picked up a bag of shiny silver buttons, and spent a good two-and-a-half episodes of The Nanny sewing them on. I also had to take it to the tailor to have it hemmed to a more modern, wearable above-the-knee length.

I may have spent more than twice the cost of the coat on enhancements and alterations, but it has since proven to be a versatile workhorse in my closet. I admit to partly having been swayed by the abundance of camel coats in fashion publications in print and online, but the classic piece does have its merits. It serves as a soft, eye-pleasing outer shell when a big black coat is just too dreary, and nothing looks better amidst autumn leaves than this warm, neutral hue.

I thought the silver buttons would make for an austere, modern accent against the camel as opposed to the more expected gold buttons.

Details:

vintage "salon" brooch from Amsterdam

Japanese silk kimono belts worn as a necklace

turquoise ring from Manila, age-old Tod's driving shoes

erroneously colored tote from the Tate Modern in London

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Liking what you did with the buttons on that coat.

-Unyime

Brandon said...

I am loving that you sewed the buttons in two episodes of... The NAnny! Love! I guess I'm going to have to post about my camel number too now :/ not nearly as fancy as your shiny buttons but then again I'm a mess. Also loving the Ivan Grundhal layering! His stuff is perfeeeect underneath really structured jackets!

Izzy said...

b: You're far from being a mess! And thanks for introducing me to Ivan, he changed my life.

Pret: No actually, I just added an extra row of three buttons, and didn't need to add buttonholes. I'm beginning to think the coat might have been meant to be double-breasted.

Lady San Pedro said...

Nice :-) Now tempted to do that to my camel coat... which I cannot wear in Manila.

This is Mia's friend by the way! She got me into your blog.

Izzy said...

Hi Lady! You should, it's very easy and completely reversible. Mia took these photos, isn't she wonderful?

Unknown said...

Nicely done, Izzy. Ran into a friend of mine who did the same with her mother's camel coat. Great idea.

C.

joy said...

The kimono belt strips are very beautiful. What a coincidence,I am wearing a fake kimono robe as a coat to Thanksgiving dinner with the family.

Shane B said...

single button to double button must've made the coat slimmer... that's a brilliant idea:)

http://burbailey.blogspot.com/

Matthew Spade said...

you make it look so easy, really good effort. it does look soft.

Tom said...

Your coat is amazing. I mainly like your accessories, really nice!!!

Czech fashion bloger
Tom

http://fashionaspassionbytom.blogspot.com/

Giancinephile said...

Love, love, love your camel coat!!!!

Anonymous said...

you turned it into a double-breasted coat???!!!! miracle worker!

must.go.to.tate.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
D R E W said...

what a great idea! and i love that gray scarf.

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