The logical choice for a 1st August post.

And that'll be coats.  Oh I know, it's bonkers but I *may* have just remembered another item I bought in the sale from Zara.  Actually I bought it three times, as you do.  Once in a Large, then in a Medium as I didn't know if I wanted it oversized and then finally took those two back and rebought it last week when it was reduced even further to £39.99 down from £129.99.  

However massive fess up time, I thought I really loved it but now, hmmm, well I do still like it but do I Love it?  And one of the Golden Sales Rules (like I actually follow them..) is that you must LOVE something and must not be buying it because it's cheap. 

Ho hum.  It's hard buying a coat in July.  Yes, I can now hear The Husband saying "errr so don't?  You have coats".  

Pah.  Yes I do have coats thanks to my getting into my outwear groove last season but boy do I struggle with a black coat.  A bit like a black bag, hence I still regularly use my Marc by Marc Jacobs black Faridah hobo bag which is nearly 8 years old as I just love it and the only one that has come close is the Wang Diego. 

I digress.  As pointless as it may seem, if you can find a coat you love in the sales it is The most intelligent of purchases.  Coats aren't cheap.  And also, I find, finding one you love is hard.  Really hard.  I would go so far as to say buying just one to fit all of your needs is virtually impossible so you need at least two.  Even if you do manage to find one workhorse of a coat that suits every wardrobe scenario, workhorses get knackered very easily and who wants an old nag of a coat by the end of the season?

Plus I think you wear them so much and they're pretty much the only thing a lot of people you meet see you in.  I know this is where my shallowmeter starts beeping but I'm taking the batteries out of the bugger as hell, I don't want to be wearing the same thing every time someone sees me.  There, I've said it and I don't care.   Some people won't care about wearing the same thing day in day out and wouldn't it just be a boring world if we all liked and did the same things. 

This does mean though that it is an exceptionally good time to look at the coats that can now be nabbed for some fabulous prices. 

Here are the pics of mine.  I would actually have fessed up earlier and put it online for you all but it's not on the Zara site and wasn't ever in this sale.  I assume it's super old stock. 

One of the reasons I love it is that it has a waffle texture.  Black coats can, dare I say it outloud and no-one slap me down, look cheap.  There is something about a cheaper black wool weave or poly mix that can just look flat somehow.  Doesn't seem to happen so much with navy, grey, tan or a print but black can just look a tad naff.  Of course there are exceptions to every rule and there are definitely some amazing cheaper ones out there to be found.  

A texture to it though, seems to take away from that.  It also makes it look slightly less funereal.  Jolly blog today eh?

Enough rambling on - here it is and the jury is still out.  Will I ever find a black coat that I Love love love though?  I don't even know what I actually want which is about as much help as a chocolate teapot.  It also looks decidedly wrong diddly over a summer outfit with sandals.  Dare I throw it out to the masses and ask for thoughts?

Now one of my favourite purchases this year has been my Fenn Wright Manson leopard print coat.  And just to prove I do totally practise what I preach, this was bought in the sale and has proven to be the best investment.  Can't wait to get it out again the minute it gets a tad chillier. 

Some great other animal print options still available which will take you sailing into A/W with a couple of extra pennies in your pocket to spend on something else. 

Black & Cream Print Coat from Mint Velvet now £55 originally £149 

Or this one which is a more similar shape to my FWM one - if I hadn't bought that which I thought was a bargain, see this and weep. 

Gerard Darel Printed Black Coat was £300 now £120 

Another Monochome coat 

Another monochrome wonder - yes bracelet sleeves but I love this look with a polo neck underneath and gloves. 

Coast Alula Check Coat was £150 now £75

Now this is a warmer version - monochrome again from Phase Eight at half price. 

Phase Eight Zena ZigZag Coat in Black was £110 now £55

Another warm version from Baukjen in the sale and this is charcoal - actually a great alternative to a more harsh black coat.  This could be wear I've been going wrong.... 

Baukjen Lexham Wrap Coat was £299 now £179

Another stunning belted version in camel at Matches from DVF. 

Kadence Coat in camel was £494 was £197

However there is definitely something to be said for a full on colour number and this would give new life to last year's neutrals for sure.  Ideal with tans and winter whites, black, navys or greys. 

Collarless Tailored Coat by Sophie Hulme was £515 now £154 (yes you read that right)

Finishing with this which I haven't put it on as I saw it yesterday and assumed that someone would buy it but they haven't - so please someone do as it is THE most amazing buy but I don't need it. 

Hobbs Susanna Coat in black and ivory now £67.50 was a shed load more.

And from yesterday before someone turned the sunshine off today (I've got another sweatshirt on although I do still have my legs out - not wasting a good Cocoa Brown tan from yesterday!)