I have a weakness for outerwear. It’s one of my favorite garments to shop for. Outerwear is my not-so-secret secret weapon when getting dressed. It can pull your whole look together.

Last fall while traveling in Japan, I bought a wool and cashmere coat in Tokyo. (My favorite kind of travel souvenir is a wearable one!) I had been wanting a double face wool and cashmere coat with no synthetic fibers blended in. By the time I came upon this one, I had tried on many. All the other ones were not quite right. Some of them even looked frumpy on me.

Mott & Bow Sweater courtesy of // Everlane Jeans [review] // Nisolo Bag [review] // New Balance 574+ [discontinued style, similar platform] // Thrifted Necklace [similar]

As soon as I tried this one on, I knew it was for me. I loved that while it has an oversized silhouette, it doesn’t overwhelm my petite frame. For a recent windy Sunday, here’s how I styled my big coat, planning my outfit around it.

For the base, I went with a simple all black look: a fitted crew-neck sweater from Mott & Bow (really, more like a thick shirt) tucked into my Everlane Way-High Jeans. This struck a nice balance between the fitted top and the wider legged bottom. (BTW, the Way-High Jean is one of my favorites. I reviewed it here.)

Mott & Bow Sweater c/o // Everlane Jeans [review] // Nisolo Bag [review] // New Balance 574+ [discontinued style, similar platform] // Thrifted Necklace [similar]

The Emma sweater, gifted from Mott & Bow, is not something I’d usually pick out for myself as I’m kinda biased against ribbed textures. I worry that ribbed and fitted items will feel constricting, but this sweater stretches comfortably. It’s thin, but warm with 15% cashmere, making it a useful garment for transitional weather. (I might review this sweater in more detail in another post, but if you are petite-limbed like me, know that the sleeves run very long.)

Not petite friendly: Had to fold the sleeves of this sweater up by a good 4 inches.

Because the base is simple, I added some bold jewelry in the form of a big cat enamel necklace. (Another travel souvenir, acquired at a flea market.)

I found this necklace in a flea market in Copenhagen. Is it vintage? Is it a more recent item? Who knows. [similar]

Then, I echoed the cat in my sneakers, which were practical for a day of walking. (I am a fan of New Balance’s platform 574+s. I find the extra cushioning more comfortable.) The Nisolo tote bag (review here) was another practical choice for bringing a book to read on the subway.

I topped it all off with my beloved coat. While the exact coat I’m wearing is no longer available, here are a few options that give a similar big coat energy:

• Sézane caramel coat (100% wool)
• Madewell double-breasted dark brown coat (comes in plus sizing)
• Jenni Kayne olive overcoat
• Loulou Studio double-breasted coat in a neutral light brown (90% wool, 10% cashmere)
• The Curated’s Boyfriend Coat in chocolate melange (90% merino wool, 10% cashmere)

This coat was a splurge for me, but I’m so glad I went for it. I love the cut, the materials, the color — pretty much everything about it. Honestly, this coat makes anything I’m wearing look better. I could leave the house in sweats with this coat and still feel a bit glamorous. It instantly elevates any outfit. And that, my friends, is the magic of a long coat!

Mott & Bow Sweater c/o // Everlane Jeans [review] // Nisolo Bag [review] // New Balance 574+ [discontinued style, similar platform] // Thrifted Necklace [similar]

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