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My Totally Useless Jacket

So back in 2005, I fell head over heels in love with this Alexander McQueen jacket. I saw it while strolling through the 2nd floor of Saks in San Francisco (otherwise known as the Floor I Cannot Afford) and just really, really, die hard wanted it. I took it home with me, determined to wear it all the time.

Of course, I never did, not even once. Because:

a) I was in college…and if the item wasn’t under $20, then I wasn’t risking an apparel death-by-spillage at the local keg party, and
b) I was in college…at Berkeley. You know, Berkeley…that liberal place in California with all the protestors?? This is a fur collared jacket.
c) I somehow got it into my head that this might be something that Marge Simpson + Cruella de Vil might wear, if they ever combined into one person.

It’s lovely (to me) and soft and from one of my favorite designers of all time. But I never ever wear it. So that’s a lesson to me…to not fall in love with items that aren’t practical for my life. After all…my closet is not a museum. But in the meantime I’ll be thinking of ways to work this piece into my wardrobe…I have at least four good months until fall!

Do you have any pieces like this? If so, I’d love to hear about it…and I’ll leave you all with this blurb from one of my top style icons, Ines de la Fressange (buy her book here):

42 Comments

  • Reply
    Paige Wilkins
    May 5, 2011 at 12:40 pm

    oh my goodness i totally agree. I want this book haha. I bought a 3.1 Phillip Lim Pea coat from bang bang vintage in London. It was such a good buy at £160. It is waist length with a large velvet collar and velvet trims. It has been draped around my mannequin since i bought it, and now it is summer! was just so beautiful, but is true, if it doesnt fit your style or suit anything else in your wadrobe then it cant be worn!

    x

  • Reply
    homestilo
    May 5, 2011 at 1:36 pm

    I think a lot of us get stuck in No.1 n(no, not keg parties). You buy something you are in love with and then it seems way too nice for "everyday wear". My closet is definitely home to some pieces that rarely see the light of day.

  • Reply
    Chic 'n Cheap Living
    May 5, 2011 at 2:19 pm

    I really, really try to follow this philosophy. I'm making an ideal wardrobe list to only purchase pieces that fit with my wardrobe and to protect against impulse buys. We'll see!

    xoxo,
    Chic 'n Cheap Living

  • Reply
    EllysMakeupbag
    May 5, 2011 at 2:32 pm

    You should wear it more often, common haha! It's a classic piece and it looks AMAZING. It's not like it's neon pink…With jeans and a blouze, some heels this will be very chic looking!

  • Reply
    HiLLjO
    May 5, 2011 at 2:45 pm

    I go through this daily: Sure the top/pants/jacket/skirt/bling is cute… but is it me???

    No.

    *Walk Away*

  • Reply
    Fashion Is Passion by Poison
    May 5, 2011 at 3:06 pm

    It is so true! I bought a Paul Smith man's shirt more than a decade ago and never get to wear it. Love it because of its orange photo prints on it.
    I will post it one of these days. And we can ridicule each other for our buys. LOL

    Poison

  • Reply
    heartbreaker
    May 5, 2011 at 3:09 pm

    It is indeed very true,gotta to live up to that and not spend on clothes that I would just keep and not wear,what a waste :/ but anyway your fur coat looks gorgeous! I guess there is bound to be a way to incorporate it into your wardrobe during fall! alot more time to go.

  • Reply
    Annie
    May 5, 2011 at 3:41 pm

    that is a gorgeous jacket!!

  • Reply
    Star-Light
    May 5, 2011 at 3:53 pm

    fabulous jacket!

    http://starlightsworld.blogspot.com/

  • Reply
    Katrina (Betty Ray)
    May 5, 2011 at 3:55 pm

    Oh gosh, I think it's a great jacket. Even just with jeans it would be amazing. Can't wait to see you wear it. 🙂

  • Reply
    Laura J
    May 5, 2011 at 3:56 pm

    This jacket is amazing!! However, I do see where your coming from if you wore it during your college days ar Berkely perhaps there might be red paint on it now.. instead of how gorgeous it looks
    It is a great classic piece and looks so cozy- I think you had great foresight
    xo
    LJ
    http://jonesyloves.blogspot.com/

  • Reply
    Kori
    May 5, 2011 at 4:16 pm

    What a gorgeous jacket! You should wear it all the time!

    By the way–have you heard that my 1st novel is being released on Amazon.com tomorrow?! Check it out on my blog! Have a wonderful Cinco De Mayo honey! Kori xoxo

    http://www.blondeepisodes.com

  • Reply
    rebecca
    May 5, 2011 at 4:42 pm

    Wow. What a gorgeous jacket! I have a few secret heartthrobs that I will never tell my husband about because he would just laugh at me when I told him the price!

    rebeccawithanR

  • Reply
    Jeanie
    May 5, 2011 at 5:13 pm

    Gorgeous jacket! && I want your book!

  • Reply
    Katherine
    May 5, 2011 at 5:14 pm

    I love hearing about all of your experiences with these "rock star love" pieces! So glad to hear that some of you are better than I am at "walking away" – hopefully I'll learn how to better do this!

  • Reply
    EllysMakeupbag
    May 5, 2011 at 5:36 pm

    Thanks for your comment! The ring is adjustable in the inside, there are 2 little rings and one bends to adapt to your fingers. It's not amazing as it doesnt fit on my small fingers because it opens only..i hope i make sense haha.

  • Reply
    Tangles
    May 5, 2011 at 5:48 pm

    Fab jacket! I can see why you haven't worn it (in certain situations!), but you totally should! I'm certain I have pieces that have never been worn and probably never will be. I've gotten rid of/donated several pieces like this.

  • Reply
    DSK Steph
    May 5, 2011 at 5:49 pm

    Chanel "Mimosa" is super cute on toe nails too! I love that it has reflects of orange, white and pink shimmers in it. It's definitely not a tacky flat bright yellow nail polish. lol

  • Reply
    Glamorous Barbie ♥
    May 5, 2011 at 5:54 pm

    lovely blog you got here…
    may be we can follow each other!
    –kisses ♥

  • Reply
    Bonnie
    May 5, 2011 at 6:21 pm

    I totally agree with your reasons why you didn't wear this jacket more.
    I, however, LOVE this jacket and would probably end up bringing it to bed with me to sleep in it.
    It's that lovely. <333

    http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
    Twitter: @GlamKitten88

  • Reply
    Corina
    May 5, 2011 at 6:47 pm

    Wow!!! Fabulous jacket!!!

  • Reply
    Angel @ | 77inspire |
    May 5, 2011 at 7:15 pm

    🙂 i feel ya. My lovely boyrfriend, now husband, bought this amazing Emporio Armani jacket…. and I LOVED it, had to have it. In part, i got it because we were in Hong Kong and we were getting photographed and i couldn't be trolling around in something not amazing. I wore it but then went back to the states where i was still in college and i didn't wear it forever because of all the things you listed.

    Your jacket is gorgeous. I hope you have fabulous places to wear it to 🙂

  • Reply
    Lisa
    May 5, 2011 at 7:31 pm

    kat i think this jacket is GORGEOUSSSS!! and i think you'll actually get a lot of wear with it in sf.. with some cute boots and skinnies or leggings!! 🙂 i loveeee the fur trim it's gorgeous!

  • Reply
    alison*elle
    May 5, 2011 at 7:35 pm

    That jacket is totally wearable, I think you can definitely come up with ways to style it! It would look great with some dark denim and heels (your new YSLs, for example).

    Anyway, I do try and live by that philosophy… I have really been evaluating every single purchase I make lately to determine whether or not I'll actually wear it.

    xo, alison*elle

  • Reply
    Felicia
    May 5, 2011 at 8:19 pm

    What a beautiful jacket! That passage is full of wise words… I often get tempted and end up buying things I just don't wear. oh well!

  • Reply
    district5
    May 5, 2011 at 8:24 pm

    I think it happened to everybody. Falling in love, buying it and then never wearing. But I learned out of this "shopping mistakes": never through it away or give it to a friend – you might fell in love with this piece again!
    So keep it in your closet! Love your .McQueen Jacket!

    Christine
    http://www.district5-fashion.blogspot.com/

  • Reply
    Plami
    May 5, 2011 at 8:35 pm

    This jacket is absolutely stunning!!! I would wear it all the time!!!

    XoXo
    Plami

    http://fashion-thrill.blogspot.com/

  • Reply
    Wendebee
    May 5, 2011 at 8:52 pm

    That jacket is lovely! And i need to buy that book.

  • Reply
    Gina Michele
    May 5, 2011 at 9:15 pm

    That jacket is beautiful! If it were mine I'd wear it until it fell apart =D

    ♥ Gina Michele
    CrochetClouds

  • Reply
    FleurLapin
    May 5, 2011 at 10:08 pm

    Are you kidding? I can't believe you don't wear it! I love that jacket despite it being real fur. Wear it all the time! The shape is very classic and still looks very in style. Reminds me of Dior's newest fall collection. Wear it!!

  • Reply
    Ramona
    May 5, 2011 at 10:12 pm

    I hope it's gone fit in your wardrobe for next season. It's amazing indeed!
    I think I don't have yet such a piece in my wardrobe.

    xoxo Ra

  • Reply
    Tara @ Haute Lunch
    May 5, 2011 at 10:27 pm

    This jacket is pretty fabulous! It's unfortunate that you haven't been able to wear it. I have a Bob Mackie dress (not a super flashy one) that I fell in love with and had to have, but have never worn it. I bought it nearly 7 years ago. Ugh.

  • Reply
    Lori
    May 5, 2011 at 11:09 pm

    it's a gorgeous jacket though! 🙂

  • Reply
    Looks and Books
    May 6, 2011 at 11:54 am

    That's a beautiful jacket, and seems just right for those chillier days in SF, right? I can see it worn over a maxi dress or blouse and jeans with heels. Please wear it and let us know how it goes!

  • Reply
    Finley
    May 6, 2011 at 2:19 pm

    Ooooh, I LOVE! I'm sure you will find many ways to wear it, despite the Marge Simpson-Cruella deVille connotation. 😉

    {mommy chic} last post: what {knot} to wear

  • Reply
    chanello
    May 6, 2011 at 5:21 pm

    Things to match it with:
    -Full leg black or navy blue trousers with super tall heels.
    -Skinny dark jbrands with zips and silk pocket tank (flowy and casual)in a neon blue or classic cream.

  • Reply
    Katherine
    May 6, 2011 at 5:47 pm

    @chanello, thank you! I'm going to try them out with the dark jeans (actually, dark jbrand zipper jeans!) when the weather gets better 🙂 Love your style!

  • Reply
    OtherMix
    May 7, 2011 at 5:55 am

    Thanks for following me!

    I really like the jacket, it's simply, yet it's not! It's too bad it's real furr!

    Hm, I don't have pieces like that because if I don't wear them I will sell them!

  • Reply
    OtherMix
    May 7, 2011 at 6:05 am

    and p.s. I'm following you as well!

  • Reply
    The Little Dust Princess
    May 7, 2011 at 11:09 pm

    LOVING that jacket.

  • Reply
    thefashionableESQ
    May 8, 2011 at 5:04 pm

    I have pieces in my closet that still have the tags on them! Yes! I am admitting to this (even if it is in a little comment form).
    I own a pair of prada peep toe heels that are silk, and see the light of day once a year. But I love them, still…:)

  • Reply
    Five Questions on Purchasing » Feather Factor
    May 10, 2012 at 6:46 pm

    […] The jacket I was obsessed with but then never wore…originally from this post […]

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