Finding My Perfect Leopard Print Coat

A couple of months ago, I have made my wish list for AW10.
1. Hiking boots — tick
2. Fur gilet — tick
3. Lace dress — still looking
4. Leopard print coat — still looking

I am thrilled to be spot on the trends. These key pieces are everywhere! One in four girls you see on London streets is wearing an animal print coat, and one in five is wearing a fur gilet! Seeing them in mass is kind of de-valuing these items for me. I am not quite sure if I still wanted an animal print coat anymore for this winter.

I've always wanted a leopard print coat and I have been searching for one for a couple of years now. I think unless I have £2000 to buy a designer made, it would be really difficult as this is not a kind of coat that can be easily substituted with a High Street made.

For example, this Top Shop coat priced at £98. It has an acrylic plastic shine to it and the fabric is so synthetic that it can catch a fire if you go near a heater or fire place!


photo source: Topshop.com

And this Oasis coat is priced at £150. Slightly better than the Top Shop version. It has the natural fur texture and not too bulky. However the colour of the print is not right. It is not as obvious on the photo. But if you see it in real life, it is way too yellow and unnatural.


photo source: Selfridges.com


This Biba version is not too bad. It is priced at £165. The colour is natural and the texture is very soft. It is very comfortable and warm to wear. Except it is too thick and bulky. When I put it on, I felt like a big bear walking down the street and I felt shorter with it. Unless you are 6 feet tall, it is probably not the most ideal version either.


photo source: Biba exclusively for House of Fraser catalogue


Don't get me wrong. I am not encouraging slaughter of endangered animals in order to get their skin for vain. Even the designer versions would not be real leopard skin. My point is that with a coat that is defined by its print and texture, it is important to get it right. I'd rather spend a little be more on a leopard print coat that is more authentic and refined. A lot of things that we are able to find relatively cheaper and as good alternatives, but leopard print coat just isn't one of them!

A Gucci version may be at the extreme end of the spectrum. But I am sure there are also versions of leopard print coats that are priced in between Luxury brands and High Street brands. I just have to keep looking to find my perfect leopard print coat!

photo source: style.com

Wool Gilet

One of the items on my AW10 wish list is a fur gilet. Loved these two looks from Helmut Lang's AW10 collection.


photo source: Style.com

I found this lamb wool one from Top Shop. Very happy about it although it is not fur as I hoped to find. It is made of real wool and it did not cost me an arm and a leg!

I have mixed the gilet up with my existing wardrobe. The first look is with a vintage skirt and my
Burberry high heeled hiking boots. I like the juxtaposition of different textures. My tribute to Dries Van Noten.



And the second look is with skinny jeans and my will-be-much-utlilised Burberry boots again!


It is quite handy to wear a gilet. It keeps you warm and you can manouevre without much restriction. Definitely a good staple for winter!

Hiking Boots

After two months of agony I have finally owned a pair of these gorgeous Burberry shearling ankle boots! I had saved up enough money in August to buy a pair but then I had sensibly spent the money on a much needed arm chair instead.


photo source: Style.com

So I had to be good in September and October in order to save up enough money again to buy these shoes. Definitely an achievement for me not to spend money on clothes for two months! These boots go with anything, skinny jeans, pencil skirts, dresses or shorts. I have put together two looks with these boots with my wardrobe. Love my boots!

What Should I Wear This Winter?

There is a hint of winter chill in the air. The temperature has noticeably dropped a couple of degrees here in London. All fashion magazines have been featuring key looks for AW10 for a few months now. But not until it is cold enough the fashionistas cannot start wearing their newly purchased hiker boots or shearling parka. Now the time has come, girls and boys!

I have been going through my stored-away winter clothes today and pulled out pieces that I can put together to create looks that are relevant for this winter. I realised that the most economical way is to buy good quality clothes and recycle my wardrobe by mixing and matching with a couple of key pieces or accessories each season. All the pieces that I show below have been members of my wardrobe for a few years already.

1. 50's charm - waisted full skirts and prom dresses.


photo source: Vogue UK

I have this Marni dress that I absolutely love. It can help me to pull of this full skirt dress look for this winter.


2. Mannish trousers

photo source: Vogue UK

These front pleated Marni trousers are perfect mannish trousers. I will sure be wearing them a lot this winter. To emphasise the look I also borrowed my husband's white shirt to complete it. Usually I am not a shirt person but I actually like this shirt. It has a pleated placket down the front. I might sneakily take it over!