Remember how I said that while I was in Paris, I discovered an irresistible burlap/lightning-bolt dress at the Castelbajac store while I was in the midst of paying for a completely ridiculous trench coat?
CLICK HERE TO REFRESH YOUR MEMORY.
This is the trench coat, photographed in London last week.
What Wendy Wore
Unseen sweater: Nordstrom (mid-’90s)
Coat: JC de Castelbajac (2013)
Jeans: Acne (2007 or 2008)
Boots: Fiorentini + Baker (2013)
Purse: Louis Vuitton (2001)
Yep, that’s a burlap-colored trench coat with a giant pleather crocodile — complete with eyes and nostrils — on the front of it. The horizontal straps are actually the croc’s legs, complete with claws that can be seen on the back of the coat.
I also got those boots in Paris. I’ve been staring at Parisian feet for years, and seeing a lot of ballet flats (no support at all), Converse sneakers (gave me a monster blister once), Isabel Marant wedge sneakers (I prefer Ash Shoes wedges) and short, flat boots. The short, flat boots finally got to me. I never wear flats, but here I am, living proof of my blog motto “Never Is the Next New Thing™.”
I noticed a new addition to Paris feet this year: leather thong sandals. They were very skimpy, with hardly any upper to them at all, like with this example from Tory Burch.
$195. Click to purchase at Bergdorf Goodman.
They didn’t look very comfortable to me — almost like walking barefoot — but if you’re going to go for a barely-there shoe style, I definitely prefer leather to a shower-worthy rubber flip flop. What was really notable about these shoes was that the temperature in Paris was in the high 50s to low 60s (Fahrenheit, obvs) and it rained a lot. It wasn’t sandal weather at all, so anyone wearing these really wanted to make a statement. Maybe that statement was just, “I wish l’été were here,” rather than anything to do with fashion, but, regardless, it was a very popular look. I don’t know, man. When it’s that chilly, I’d say a trench coat with a giant pleather crocodile on it makes more sense than sandals. And when a coat with a giant pleather crocodile on it makes any sense at all, you know the situation is serious! What can I say though? I love my pleather crocodile coat!
I shared the coat on Not Dead Yet Style’s Visible Monday post. Click here to check out all the other highly visible, non-pleather-crocodile-wearing wimmins.
That coat is a statement piece, rather, an exclamatory piece. I love it!
I love that you’re the type to appreciate something like this! <3
You’re looking so badass, I almost didn’t recognize you!!
But who else would be wearing a pleather crocodile on her coat?!
Gaaa….i die!
That coat is so awesome!
I wuv it.
I am old school as far as city and sandals – no. I don’t want to see your feet, pavement is not beach and you clog up the subway as you cannot move fast. That and your feet get really grubby (ew). There is no protection or support and just..no.
I am drooling – those boots are amazing. And I adore the coat. There is no one who can look at that and not smile. It seems to suit you as well. It reminds me of Schiaparelli.
I totally feel the same way about sandals in the city. I guess I like the leather thongs better than rubber flip flops. They seemed sturdier and people’s feet seemed less filthy!
You scared me for a moment – thought an actual reptile had made its way *past* your personal areas and was headed for the ankles. What a fab coat, love the whole look! Thanks for linking up.
LOL @ “personal areas.”
Wow, you look amazing, the coat is so unique and stylish-I’m adoring those boots too! xxx
I can’t imagine I’ll cross paths with anyone else wearing the same coat anytime soon — but if I do I guess me and the other person would be meant to be best friends!
Amazing coat, WB!
You look fab, as always 🙂
xoxox,
CC
Thank you, and thank you for including me in your blog post.
Takes a real woman to wrap oneself in a pleather croc. Amazing, and works in such a strangely happy way! Great with the serious-tough boots.
Pretty women do sartorial satire and irony better than the rest of us do, so my hat is off to you!
Ooh, I think I’m going to steal a phrase from you and use “strangely happy” to describe my jewelry line. Or maybe my personal style? Or both? I do like things that are strange AND happy. LOL.
What a show stopping amazing coat! Ever since we moved to San Francisco, short flat boots like that are an absolute must because there’s so many damn hills to bother looking cute! Converse are probably the most unsupportive shoe ever. They need to collaborate with Dr Scholls.
That would be the most sensible fashion collaboration ever.
The pleather crocodile coat is fantastic! If you’d been wearing it when we met, I might have had to ply you with Pimms & run off with it. Oh but you were doing quite a good job with the Pimms yourself…
I’m crying over the lack of Pimm’s here.
Gah! That coat is too fab on you lady! 🙂
I need to take a picture of the claws in the back!
Wow…you’re the Road Warrior! Love it!
Lately, I just want to travel all the time!
I have the same feeling. But i think I’ll be travelling next year…2 or more weeks in England, and “somewhere” with a friend, who wants to go on a cruise. God I hope they solve those crazy problems — I mean, they had better get their act together or I will never be able to on a cruise ship.
But I can take my raincoat, and make a duct tape alligator, and wear my wellies if conditions get horrible on the sea. Whereas I will look like a fright, you are my glamourous inspiration!
I think a duct tape alligator sounds like a great idea…the cruise…I don’t know! I’d be scared of it too. Just don’t go on Royal Caribbean!
Duct tape alligator? I want a tutorial for that! (; XXX
A crocodile has never looked so good. Work it.
It’s the rare pleather crocodile …only seen in plastic jungles.
That coast is so fantastically mad! Something you will treasure forever. A few years back I tried on a pair of Hermes sandals like that style. Fit perfect, but as soon as I put them on, all I could think of what how dirty my feet would get, so I passed by a fantastic bargain for the sake of clean feet. Converse never gave me blisters until the past few years. If I wear with socks or even one of those kushyfoot thingies I’m fine. I wonder if they changed the design somehow as those classics certainly aren’t the same anymore, boo! XXX
What is it with Converse? Now that I rarely wear heels, I tried Converse and they nearly shred my feet. They were more painful than most high heels!
My anti-spam word was henrydog, so hugs and kisses to you, King Henry!
I got one of the worst blisters of my life from Converse. There was more blister than foot, I swear. I’m scared to ever try them again. And can you imagine? People used to really play basketball in them!
I got blisters on top of blisters one year, it was disgusting. And you’re looking at a woman who’d worn them for close to 40 years. This never used to happen. Socks or some kind of little stocking thing (I forgot what they’re called, the ones I use are called “Kushyfoots” they have padding in the front, really for heels so you get some extra padding where you need it most) take care of the problem. Since I switched & started doing that, no blisters! But I honestly do think they did something to the design as I used to wear them without socks all the time & never got a single blister. Also those blister bandaids help to cushion & heal them quickly. Haha the queen of heels knows all the tricks! XXX PS may not make the Huff Post deadline, too damn hot to play dress ups!
It’s hot as hell, that’s for sure!