Sunday, February 13, 2011

The Traveling Coat


The Traveling Coat

I collect coats the way some women collect shoes. Cashmere and capes, camel hair and tweed - keep them far away from me for I need no more. But what a challenging task it can be to resist them. Strangely enough though, given my extensive collection of these garments, whenever I reach for my passport for a wintertime trip, I seem to also, always, reach for the same coat. It's the one I'm wearing in the photograph above, taken at Tintagel, in Cornwall, near Merlin's cave.

It's a near perfect traveling coat - rainproof and windproof, long and black - it has taken me up mountains in the afternoon and out to dinner the same night, without the tiniest sacrifice of comfort or style. I love it. The only problem is, when I look at any photographs taken of my travels, I'm always wearing the same coat. It looks as though I'm on one long interminable journey, instead of several separate ones. Just take a look at the next several photos and you'll see what I mean. These were all unique trips, but they look like the exact same one, all because of that coat. (And yes, I realize my hair stays the same as well, but this post is about coats.)


Edinburgh... love that sign above my head.
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Deep In Thought In A Garden in Aryshire
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Inverlochy Castle Hotel in the Highlands of Scotland
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Coming Through Beatrix Potter's Garden Gate on a Rainy Day in Cumbria
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Sad, isn't it? I have looked for a replacement, believe me. But try as I might, I simply could never find a traveling coat that I liked as much as that one. Then lo and behold, a catalog arrived at my door last week and as I flipped through it over lunch, my eyes fell upon a fabulous coat.
Black - the perfect colour for traveling.
Rainproof - a necessary requirement.
Large pockets - I'm crazy for pockets.
And, a hood! Oh, I do adore a hood.
So yes, I took the plunge and now this new upstart is hanging on my closet door, ready and waiting for its inaugural trip to London next week!
Is it my imagination, or it this an ideal coat for strolling the winter streets of that most magical city?

42 comments:

  1. Pamela, I just recently discovered your lovely blog. What an inspiration! I love traveling -- Scotland is definitely at the top of my list. I love Beatrix Potter too!

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  2. I loved it in my Peterman catalog - it should be the perfect coat for London and other places around the world, will look stunning on you! As you head east I'll be going west to San Francisco..................but in May I too will be in the Lake District. Hope to get to Beatrix Potter's home and across the border to Scotland. Yes, I'll pack rain gear!

    Safe travels Pamela - have a fabulous trip.
    Hugs -Mary

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  3. What a wonderful coat Pamela, perfect for the British weather. I spent a summer many years ago in North Cornwall and visited Tintagel often, so it's lovely to see a photo as it brings back fond memories. Hope that you have a great trip.

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  4. I was hoping this post might lead to the ***green velvet*** coat but I suppose this will have to do...
    ;>}
    Have a SPLENDID journey, travel safe!

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  5. Looking at the weather forecasts it may prove to be a very wise investment.

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  6. A perfectly lovely coat. Oh, if only coats, like shoes could talk about their adventures.
    Enjoy your travels, and looking forward to hearing about them upon your return.

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  7. I live about 30 miles south of London and can confirm that given our continual grey skies at the moment you might well be in need of that lovely warm coat! Safe journey over here Pamela, I look forward to photos of you modelling the new coat upon your return home.

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  8. Wonderful coat! Have a great time in London!

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  9. Oh yeah...when the catalog came, I noticed and loved that coat immediately! It's beautiful and for all the right reasons.

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  10. Love this post Pamela...shall I look for the gorgeous blonde woman wearing the black coat? I hear you on the coat, shawl, jacket, cape..you name it, I have got it too! It is embarrassing when I open our family closet to see how much space is devoted to my outer garments and I could not part with a single one.

    So, so, so looking forward to our get together next week...we can commiserate over coats and I am sure one more is waiting for you in London :)

    Jeanne xx

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  11. Oh to have a coat that wraps you in coziness, warmth, comfort and beauty! Your coat looks like it has it all.

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  12. I have one too...ages old but bought in Paris 25 years back...loved the pictures...inspired memories...thank you!

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  13. Oh! You'll look smashing on your London trip...hope the weather is kind though! Safe trip and enjoy every moment.

    Hugs Jane

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  14. London- how exciting! I hope you have a really super time- what are you going to do while you're here? and as others have said, am umbrella may be advisable (although honestly it hasn't been very wet of late)

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  15. Lovely pics! My fave is the one in the ivy at Potter's place. The J. Peterman edition is the perfect travel coat!

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  16. Oh Pamela,
    That could have been me writing that first sentence.....I LOVE coats and jackets. I'm not bothered about handbags or shoes ( I do love boots ) but coats....I must not buy another one !!
    I'm pleased to hear that you have found a new one ( which looks wonderful, by the way ) as, it has been raining here in London for the past few days !! Hopefully it will brighten up as I am going to London for a few days with my oldest friend. She is also 60 this month and, we are off to celebrate, London style. I shall look out for you in that wonderful coat ! XXXX

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  17. Dear Pamela, Long coat, hood, deep pockets to warm the hands....yes, Pamela absolutely essential wear for dreary, drizzly London. However, the shops are universally overheated so you will need something much more skimpy underneath!!

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  18. Oh my, I think we need another coat closet here for mine also... my theory is, if I must go through winter, at least have several fabulous coats!

    So funny.

    I like your new coat : )
    Enjoy your vacation!

    ~ Violet

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  19. Surely that lovely sketch is from Peterman.

    Excellent choice...I can totally see you striding through the streets of London in it. Well done!

    Cheery-oh!

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  20. Pamela how beautiful your walks! I love the coat, but it also that joyful, dreamy heart that the coat wraps around! I want to hear more about Merlin's cave...

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  21. I do love coats too, particularly long ones. I have a cream cashmere one which is over thirty years old and I still bring it our every year.

    How I wish I lived nearer to London so that we could meet for a coffee when you come.

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  22. A hood is a prerequisite for any coat I own too:) Love your new one!

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  23. I don't blame you for always wearing the same coat - it's lovely and perfect for traveling!

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  24. Fabulous coat. Will go well with your lovely hair colour too. Have a great time in London!

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  25. What a novel idea. A coat, with large and many pockets, a hood, easy care, daytime to nighttime. Really. I'm serious. Do a book. A travelogue of every place the coat took you to - or you took it. I love it - and, of course, I love your marvelous post.

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  26. Looking forward to hearing whether the new coat is really as nice as the old one. Love the photo with the green scarf! Enjoy London...Lucky girl!!

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  27. Such beautiful locations, they all have an element of magic to them!

    Is your lovely new traveling coat J.Peterman? I love love love my mailbag inspired satchel that I've had for years that I bought from J.Peterman. That's what I always bring with me.

    Come to think of it, I have lots of pictures of me carrying that bag too, just like you! smiles!

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  28. Hello Pamela

    London--lucky you!!!!
    Love the coat

    Have a safe trip and a great time!

    Best
    Tracy :)

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  29. Coats, coats, coats... I agree, they are the best garments ever!

    Once you've found "your" coat, you can focus on the equally important interior journey of travel.

    Hope your new coat has a great maiden voyage!

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  30. Very glad you have found a fabulous replacement coat Pamela. I have a similar problem with mine and I wear one to death and just hope that I can find something very similar to replace it before it falls to threads.

    I hope it won't be too warm for you though. We are experiencing an unexpectedly mild winter at the moment. The temps have been up to 12C. Have a great time anyway.

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  31. I would love to be able to own a long black coat such as yours. I would love to be able to wear anything black, but alas- I live with a beagle.

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  32. Wish I could tag along with you. I love coats also. I am ready for a trip. Enough snow.
    yvonne

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  33. Your new coat is beautiful and has a very Victorian air about it. Please do show us a photo (or two) of it and you becoming aquainted...I believe you have found a wonderful new traveling companion!
    Happy travels...
    xo J~

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  34. Enjoy your trip to London, it's looking as though you'll be needing the waterproof aspects of your lovely new coat. Hopefully I shan't be needing a coat at all when I head to South Africa in three weeks time:)

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  35. That is a lovely coat. Have a great trip.

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  36. That is a lovely coat. Have a great trip.

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  37. It's a perfect Travelling Coat - and as such needs to be always described in Capitalised Words. :)

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  38. You need a good coat for the winter! Yes, my mum's words ring true!
    Nice to meet you.

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  39. That is a gorgeous coat! I hope you wore it well and created some happy memories with it on.

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I love to read your comments! Each and every one! Though I'm always reading your comments, I may not respond in the comment section. If you want to write me directly, you may do so at pamela@pamelaterry.net. Thank you for reading!