Monday, October 4, 2010

wear the old coat 2010


Wear the old coat, buy the new book.


It's a refreshing, breezy 50 degrees in Central Ohio. I am welcoming the season of not only woolly socks, but of tweed, tartan and all things snuggly, with much flourish. Plus, fall and winter clothes are much more interesting than warm weather fare, don't you think? If you remember, last year, I found a wonderful cobalt blue Peruvian wool coat from the 70s tucked away in a storage closet at the manor.

In the spirit of last year's mantra "wear the old coat, buy the new book", I dug out WT's old Barbour wax coat from the 80s. I paired it with a pair of boots, also from the 80s and pronounced them "tres cool". (Surprising, since I could have sworn nothing from the 80s was cool.) There are a few places on the coat where the wax has worn, so I ordered a can of wax dressing for $12. It seems simple enough to do, just heat the wax, apply it in small amounts with a rag, then hang the coat and blow with a hair dryer. Easy peasy. Cheaper than sending it off to Barbour to re-wax. They wanted $50. Forget it.

Now, since I've saved a bit of money in the fashion department, I can justify a little trip to my favorite second hand bookshop. You know, the one with the creaky hardwood floors.

PS~If you haven't seen me much around the bloggyhood, it's because I overdid it, just a tad, at the Manor Ball. I'm suffering from a bit of carpal tunnel syndrome in my right hand, so I've laid off the computer this weekend. I'll be slowly making my way back to your street in the 'hood soon! xx

83 comments:

  1. willow do you remember a commercial from verrrrrry long ago - "it's all in the wrist action". ooooohhhh it's so true isn't it!! cool jacket. i had one for a while. i cannot imagine how i could afford it back then but it was a beautiful deep green and had that feel that waxed material has which is so very good and even though i wear all sorts of rain protection there simpley isn't anything as good as that coat was. trouble is i got all fashion conscious at one point and gave it away. darn it!!! now it has willow's squeal of approval and i can't wear it....... ohhhh noooooooo! wave lots at the geese flying south - that'll help your hand and your heart! steven

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  2. It is funny that you should post this. I have been looking online for a Barbour coat! How timely! I also love your boots. I saw many boots like this in Lexington,KY last weekend. Nice.

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  4. can just hear the 'tres cool' boots walking on the creaky hardwood floor of the book shop. Take care of your wrist, CTS can become chronic.

    Willow's "squeal of approval"? You just have to love Steven ...

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  5. The coat gets a big 'thumbs up' from me, deep in the Hampshire countryside. For the next few months, this kind of kit will be a necessity around here.

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  6. fabulous coat and those boots are sweet.
    I am envious of your creeeaaky wood floored bookstore.

    I hope you enjoyed your day!

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  7. You make me long to go to a bookstore, too!

    Mine, alas, does not have creaky floors. I should ask them to put some in...

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  8. i've got an old barbour coat and never waxed it -- guess i'll try to hunt down that little can it came with..

    but you look smashing and ready to set out on a fox-hunt with camilla (albeit that's probably not the most pc thing to do) but you definitely look the part!!

    p.s. hope your wrist is feeling better soon - i think a few of us overdid it at this year's ball - which was a blast, by the way!

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  9. My husband and I used to go to Granville now and then, stay in the haunted place and windowshop the stores.

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  10. Buying books is always at the top of my list. Have fun shopping and don't overdo turning pages while you are resting that creaky wrist!

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  11. I LOVE your boots. Yeah, those were definitely made for walking!
    Visit when you can.

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  12. Your priorities are spot on, Willow.

    Love the boots! They are very cool.

    I'm so impressed you have the juice to post after the Ball. You are mighty!

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  13. great boots. summer has finally been pushed off the stage here but not nearly cool enough for boots. we're having glorious weather. cool mornings, chilly even, and warm afternoons and evenings.

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  14. I managed to make my shoulder ouchy from typing, too, at least I think that's the culprit. But I can't stay away entirely. I'm unapologetically blog addicted.

    I love old coats!

    And, I had been thinking, where's Willow? Why hasn't she read my magpie? After all, you only have a hundred of them to visit. *rolleyes* :-)

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  15. hum...Is a barbour coat I should look for here in blowy,snowy Rochester,NY? Maybe that's what I need when clearing the driveway this winter....?

    Rick

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  16. "what" after coat in my post..... :)

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  17. A change of seasons is introduced in so many ways. And the cold demands so many more accoutrements than the mild weather... even so I welcome the hint of winter work and the introversion it brings. -J

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  18. Willow,

    With all due respect to Ohio, any pending 'cold season' there is far out of my comfort zone.

    When it goes below 40 here, I'm in four or five layers, wet-proof, and hoping I don't have to use studded tires (which I don't own)

    TFool
    (I think I'd contemplate a bikini wax before I'd want to worry about waxing a coat. I do, I really do!)

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  19. VERY stylish...you look great, and you're rocking those boots!

    Wonderful quote, too.

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  20. The Barbour jackets are timeless. And the boots are looking pretty good too. Love digging around in the closet -- 'everything old is new again.'

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  21. Aha! I knew it! By driving my old car, I can buy a truckload of new books!

    Lovely mantra! (and nice coat, too).

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  22. I'm a used book store addict ... went the other day to buy ONE book. $85 later... (at least I struggled to the car with my heavy load). I do LOVE the outfit and thank goodness you don't have the 1980's "GBH" (Great Big Hair)

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  23. No new coat here, though I could use one. I think the old ones can be fixed for another winter of -40°.

    Probably won't buy a book, either. We have wonderful public library resources. Why buy when I can borrow?

    But I think your priorities are spot on.

    Take care of that wrist, too.

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  24. Steven, Willow Manor must be right beneath an ancient geese flying path. I see tons of them flying in formation, heading south. Next time, I'll wave!

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  25. Rob, I love my library branch, too. I couldn't live without it, in fact, I know my library card number by heart! It's part of the award winning Columbus Metropolitan Library system. I'm so spoiled. But a real treat is buying a second hand book for my own little personal library.

    Margaret, gosh, I used to have that GBH in the 80s...lots of perms and tons of spray!

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  26. Fireblossom, yeah, sorry about that, I'm sorry to say I haven't read any Magpies yet. I plan to slowly visit them tomorrow, provided by hand feels strong enough.

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  27. wills...
    you look so cool in those boots!!

    xx

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  28. what a great look! I love the repurposing!!

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  29. Great coat, great boots, now go find some great books!!

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  30. It looks as if your coat is the exact same model as Lady M's. Hers of course is extremely WELL-WORN. She recently re-waxed the shoulders with the same very expensive product, and water seeped through just as before. Maybe the factory alternative is preferable. My own (longer) Barbour is beyond help, but I wear it anyway!

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  31. Oh, those boots were made for riding ... love them! In my not so large city we are blessed with more than several bookstores with creaky floors. They sound good AND smell good too.

    Take care!

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  32. Great fall outfit, Willow! :-)
    Watch the orders for Barbour coats hit the roof! :-)

    I am not surprised that you are suffering after all that work you put into your fabulous - tremendously fabulous! - ball! Rest up and get well soon!

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  33. Love the picture. Love the jacket and the boots. So sorry about your wrists. Hope you are back 100% soon.

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  34. I can simply never part with old coats, especially my barn jackets, tattered cuffs and all, they still serve my "farmhand chic" lifestyle, however I may snag a new/used one at the Good Will if lucky!!!

    Know what you mean, been very lax these days chasing all my bloggy friends, I blame it on summer, yes, it's good to be back in the more fun winterish clothes!(but not the heating bills)!!!

    Time to dig out the camo crocs...I know, I know!!!

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  35. Some people can wear virtually anything and still look cool. Others look tres cool and the rest look ridiculous. You obviously fall into one of these categories willow :)

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  36. Ken, please tell me it's not the ridiculous!

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  37. Nothing better than an old coat! You look great! Get the book!

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  38. I totally agree with everything you wrote!!! And I LOVE O. Henry! Good luck with the carpal tunnel, not fun!

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  39. Nice outfit--sorry to hear about the carpal tunnel--taking it easy for a bit is a good idea.

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  40. i would love to be able to wear boots like that!! gorgeous.

    and speaking of gorgeous, i just checked out the link to your favorite used bookstore, what a charming place - looks like just the place to get lost for an hour, or two, or three on a chilly october day in ohio!!!

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  41. I know about overdoing the computer. Kind of returned to the life of the 3D people for a while myself!

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  42. Kimy I love that bookstore. I could get lost for days in there. Next time, I'm bringing a sleeping bag and flashlight. They won't see my behind that huge pile of books in the back of the store!

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  43. I must make a point of commenting earlier the next time. By the time I've read all the comments, and am ready to make my own, I'm faced with Mona Lisa mooning me! Now I'm not sure what I was going to say....oh yes, Love the coat, Love the boots, Love the post...and I've had to turn the heat on in "The Cottage" here in Canada. Pesky geese!

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  44. Oh Willow, I can't relate to that cold weather. Burrrr. Here in Southern New Mexico it's still in the high 80's. So, I won't need a coat for a long time. Yours looks great.

    I just saw that you're reading Rilke. I've only read a few of her poems, but I think I'll read more now too.

    I love your style!!!

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  45. You look great, Willow, in the Barbour wax jacket and boots, but you're making me feel a bit guilty about my own wax jacket, which has never been re-waxed in its many years of use (currently being used by my wife for cleaning her horse stalls in bad weather). Love the bookstore! It's always amazing how a wonderful, old bookstore can transport one to other places in time.

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  46. Brought back memories to me Willow. I used to have a wonderful old Wool tweed coat (a kind of Sherlock Holmes thing). Every time it rained (and it rains a lot around here) her could smell the lanolin - it was like walking with aflock of sheep.

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  47. I would have sworn the boots are brand new.

    Take it easy with your wrist, I suffer from the same. I wondered about all that gallavanting you did.

    I never new about wax coats.

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  48. I feel like your visiting my Magpie just added to your pain of the wrists

    However, thank you for coming by--and reading--and commenting--oh, I'm going to begin feeling guilty.

    Aside from all that, my fervent hope/desire is that I may have a dance with 'Willow' during the ball at the mansion next Sept 30, Friday.

    Would you favor me with a place on your card? It would be SUCH an honor--I could brog (that's combo of 'brag' and 'blog', OK--grin!) BROG about it for one whole year.

    What an honor!
    Please say "yes"! At least, "Maybe--we'll see!" Although that sounds a bit too much like 'mother'...

    PEACE!
    Steve

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  49. Dear Willow, I do so like Barbours when worn in the country, but I have always found them to smell rather of fish.As long as one is in the open, it is absolutely no problem, but in a crowded space......!

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  50. Steveroni, you're already thinking about next year? Okay. I'll pencil you in, my friend. :)

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  51. Heehee, well, Edith, my certainly doesn't smell of fish. Probably because I've never fished in it! Mine has soft hints of the base notes of Acqua Di Parma.

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  52. Ruth, seriously I think I only wore them a handful of times, like a little lady who only drives her car to church on Sundays!

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  53. I've been decrying all things 80 over on our blog Willow...but your coat just might be the exception.

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  54. my friend Old Pajamas has a Barbour jacket and I adore it. i'd love one myself. too bad I didnt think to filch his! But he's over 6 feet tall so most likely it wouldnt have fit little me. rest that hand.

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  55. I missed your ball ! How did that happen? Anyway I hope your wrist is feeling better soon, most people suffer with a poorly liver after a party, not sure which is worse.

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  56. I like the boots too! Go make that creaky floor creak! :) The Bach

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  57. These boots are gonna walk all over that creaky floor!

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  58. Suki, I love that your friend's name is "Old Pajamas"! Me thinks me feels a poem coming on...

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  59. You look very classy, Willow! Wish I had things like that in my attic. Hmmm, maybe I need to go boot shopping.

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  60. Yes, of course, and a thousand nods
    or right on, bitchin', and far out,
    for you somehow step out and
    embrace the 70's & 80's with
    a flourish, a style, that most of
    us are hugely attracted to,
    especially we of the male
    persuasion. And you know there
    is just something about a
    sexy lady in tall boots that
    makes cowboys crazy; it
    always makes your butts
    look twice as delectable.

    Barbour wax coats
    are not something, I guess
    that blue collar boys know anything
    about, but as you and other commenters
    describe them they must feel and
    smell and sound terrific.
    I do have a 20 year old leather
    jacket that has that incredible
    well worn appearance, that I have
    worn out the lining in it twice,
    that I dearly love to wear in the
    late Fall and deep winter; but it
    is still too warm here yet.

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  61. That coat looks terrific with those boots. And I love that you repaired it all by yourself.

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  62. Sounds like when Prince Charles told his mother that he was going to open a fete in Dimchurch, and he thought she said, "Wear the Fox Hat".

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  63. It's the hairstyle that puts you in the 21st cent. We can take you anywhere! Have never heard of a Barbour coat..will google..
    finally fall is here too, 53 deg. and rain..brrrr...

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  64. Wear and old coat, buy a book! Oh yes!

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  65. Oh no, carpel tunnel. That is so painful. Your thrift store sounds like a great place. We don't have a second hand book store around here.

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  66. http://itistimetothinkformyself.blogspot.com/2010/10/october-birthday-wishes-and-awards.html

    thanks for the visit...
    have a fun day!

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  67. willow --"wear the old coat, buy the new book," is a similar mantra to mine. My difference is, "wear the old coat and buy two used books." I love books. Never heard of a waxed coat until now. I imagine it is for rugged outerwear -- sorta western? good post -- barbara

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  68. That is a cool jacket and boots. And you look great in them! Seems a bit of work with the wax though. Hope your carpel tunnel problem heals quickly.

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  69. Oh, beautiful you! Those 80's boots shine on you, love 'em, found a similar pair but in black at my local Goodwill, with "Made in Italy" on the tag inside each boot. Cost? $7.00.

    I echo you, wear the old coat, buy the book. :)

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  70. Willow,
    Splendiferous outfit for a pretty girl.
    rel

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  71. Some things can never go out of fashion, Willow, and I imagine Mr Barbour would place his jackets in that category; robust, hard working and classically chic! Hope your hand is much better.

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  72. You look, oh so cool, and beautiful. Love the boots! Love the waxed jacket, too. Used book stores are my favourite places on earth!

    You so deserve a break after your stalwart work at the ball. I'm still marvelling at the amount of work you did!

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  73. My husband has a Barbour, too. Over 20 years old now but he still wears it in the colder season (winter's my favourite season, too!). It's amazing how far a pot of waxing-coat, goes! As long as patterned blanket -jacket's don't head back in fashion for blokes.......

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  74. Love the photo of you in the coat! Is that room behind you one you used for a prompt one time? It sure looks familiar! :-)
    And LOVE those boots Willow!

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  75. Barbour coats are classic and never out of fashion...80's or not...unless they put big shoulder pads in them:) I am afraid that is what they did in my 80's LLBean coat...but I still wear it anyway...

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  76. My dear you look WONDERFUL!

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  77. Sipping on Chicken broth and getting over a nasty cold, I realized that I have never really been a coat person. How can that be? Well having lived in So. Cal for most of my life I never needed much of a coat. I am wrap kind of gal. In fact, in the spirit of saving a little money, I am making my own fleece wrap with embellishments to my taste. I hope to finish it prior to our Library's big used book sale on the 16th. I can't wait for that. My used bookstore with the creeky floors moved to a more commerical space (boo hoo) and then promptly went out of business. By the way you look fabulous. Rest those wrists cause bloggywood is just not the same without you!

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  78. Oh, gosh, Oliag, I still have some of those removable foam shoulder pads. Should I toss them? Nah, they'll probably be back next year!

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  79. Perfect, perfect quote. AND OH!! Got. to. have. those. BOOTS!

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  80. Love the coat, and the boots are very stylish. You look absolutely ready for a walk in the apple orchard! Hope your wrist feels better, I know that is painful.

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  81. I must say dear Willow you particuarly chick-a-boom-boom in this pic. The only thing missing are the '80's Flashdance leggings!
    Millie ^_^

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Inject a few raisins of conversation into the tasteless dough of existence.
― O. Henry (and me)