First, a backstory: Back in 2011 I did a "Dream Outfit" for what I'd wear to the Christmas Tree Farm for our Christmas Tree hunt. It featured a really fun Stella McCartney polar bear sweater, red coat, suede leggings and boots. Being a dream outfit, I never imagined I would own it. However, in 2013 I was able to buy the Stella McCartney sweater from The Outnet for $229 (vs $1145) in their Summer sale and it has been a holiday season staple ever since. I love that it will never really go out of style because it's a statement piece.
Fast forward to this past weekend and visiting Marijane Boutique in Guilford. Lydia works there so I've been meaning to visit for over a year - whoops! Christian and I decided to visit a little farm store in Guilford so I figured it would be smart to kill two birds with one stone and stop by after. The store is on a super cute street on the green and is filled with all types of treasures. As I was going through the coat rack I stumbled upon a holy grail - a Burberry wool coat! It was red and very similar to the coat I used in the dream outfit. I actually think I had this coat on my wish list years ago but never bought it because of the price tag. Based on my research it was either $795 or $995 retail, I snagged it for $230 at Marijane Boutique and it is in perfect condition!
Of course the first thing I paired my new bright red Burberry toggle coat with was the Stella McCartney polar bear sweater! Dreams really do come true, especially for those who wait. 11 years later and I was finally able to pull it off! I don't have a red hat yet, but maybe I'll find one. I decided to break out my beloved Chanel for the occasion. Why not feel super fancy for the day, right?! It's crazy to think that this bag has at least doubled in value since 2012 - yikes!
Coat: Burberry Brit Wool Minstead Duffle Coat In Military Red (Marijane Boutique)
Polar Bear Sweater: Stella McCartney 'Polar bear intarsia wool and alpaca-blend sweater' - similar version (The Outnet)
Leggings: old
Boots: Audrey Brooke 'Mirie' (DSW)
Sunglasses: Ray Ban 'Erika' c/o Shopbop
Bag: Chanel Classic 2.55 Double Flap (Madison Avenue Couture)
I've had a version of this outfit saved as a photo on my phone since 2017 (was one of my options for this trip to the pumpkin patch) and FINALLY wore it. I just never had (what seemed like) the right occasion. This year I decided to wear it for Thanksgiving! In my original idea I had a plain black long sleeve shirt and different black boots but I switched it with a v-neck and over the knee boots. My original boots were more durable for walking around the pumpkin patch but since I'd just be hanging out inside I could switch it up!
It was probably not the smartest choice for a day full of eating, though. The shorts are high waisted and very tight with not much give so they're not great for sitting. Or eating tons of turkey. But, hey, at least I looked good!
Of course it was SUPER cold and windy when we took these photos. So pardon if I look frozen.
Sweater: Everlane 'the cashmere crop v-neck'
Tweed Colorblock Shorts: Proenza Schouler (Roundabout) - buy the matching jacket here
Boots: Audrey Brooke 'Mirie' (DSW)
Bag: Louis Vuitton Epi Leather Sac D'Epaule (HauteTrader)
Necklace: Acanthus Jewelry 'Gemma'
The Chowder Pot in Branford has been one of my favorite restaurants since I was young and now Christian loves it too. Their honey butter bread is divineeeee! I usually ask for a second one to take home when we're getting out check.
We ran some errands in the morning on Saturday and got to Branford a little too early for the Chowder Pot's 11:30 opening time so we decided to take photos at the library to kill some time. BOY was it cold. Can you tell I was freezing in these pictures?
Sweater: Everlane "The Wool-Cashmere Square Crew" in Crimson, Jeans: J Brand 811 Photo Ready Mid-Rise Skinny (Gilt), Boots: Audrey Brooke 'Mirie' (DSW), Sunglasses: Chanel, Bag: Chanel Classic 2.55 Double Flap (shop pre-loved Chanel)
Cardigan: DKNY Oversized striped knitted cardigan (Net-a-Porter Sale), Sweater: Everlane The Fall Seed Stitch Raglan, Jeans: rag & bone (Shopbop), Boots: Audrey Brooke 'Mirie' (DSW), Sunglasses: Chanel, Bag: Dark Purple Chloé Faye (eBay), Necklace: Marrin Costello, Hat: Kensington Palace gift shop
I originally posted it as a "Dream" outfit in 2011 and bought it in The Outnet's clearance sale in 2013 for $229 (regular $1075, yowza!) Even if I only wore it twice a year, that still brings the cost per wear down to about $16, pretty good! But I'm sure I've worn it more than 14 times over these past 7 years.
It's hard to style in different ways so I don't post it on the blog too often, but for this look I wore it with some studded leggings and over the knee boots. Hidden under my boots are some red and green striped socks that have kitties with Christmas lights on them. The perfect cozy weekend look even if it was a blustery day.
Polar Bear Sweater: Stella McCartney 'Polar bear intarsia wool and alpaca-blend sweater' (The Outnet), Leggings: Rock & Republic Star Wars Studded Leggings c/o Kohl's, Boots: Audrey Brooke 'Mirie' (DSW)