Getting hold of this coat was like a game of patience and self restraint: I first saw it in July when I worked on a campaign for Marks & Spencer at their London head office. Myself and the other girls all went a little gaga over the orange animal print – it’s an absolute thing of beauty…!
Following that little preview in the summer I kept my eye on the M&S website for it, then we had a super-mild run up to Christmas and I sort of forgot about it. That was, until I started delving into my winter coat collection when the cold weather kicked in. I checked their website again (fully expecting them to all be sold out) and found out that not only was it still available, but it was reduced by nearly 70% to just £38.
=OMG LESS THAN 40 QUID!!!!=
If you ever shop at M&S, you probably know that you can’t hang around because stuff goes out of stock very quickly (I think it may have sold out already), so how I managed to pull my finger out and get one I have no idea. When it arrived I soon realised that it was the perfect colour to go with my new(ish) orange lace-ups from Asos, and then it hit me.
Since when do I like orange?! It’s the one colour I’ve always avoided. The last time I bought anything orange was the 90s when I bought a tangerine-coloured cardigan and thought it’d be a good idea to wear it with lime green. Nice…!
SINCE WHEN DO I LIKE ORANGE?! IT’S THE ONE COLOUR I’VE ALWAYS AVOIDED. THE LAST TIME I BOUGHT ANYTHING ORANGE WAS THE 90S WHEN I BOUGHT A TANGERINE-COLOURED CARDIGAN AND THOUGHT IT’D BE A GOOD IDEA TO WEAR IT WITH LIME GREEN.
Maybe it’s because I’ve got into peach lately (which came about because I love coral), and that obsession has just progressed to orange. Who knows. I do know that when I wore this outfit to London last week, we noticed that amongst a sea of black, brown and navy I was one of only two people wearing colour in the whole of Paddington station. (Top marks to the lady in the bright red coat.)
So to go with the orange lace-ups, I thought I’d ditch the lime green in favour of a couple of neutrals by way of a grey roll neck and classic navy trousers, plus my “Catherine” bag from Yosa proved once again it goes with anything. Orange and navy – now you’re talking.
Are there any colours that you actively avoid? Or have you surprised yourself by buying something that you wouldn’t have dreamed of wearing a short while ago? Tell me in the comments or tweet me @notlamb!
Coat: Marks & Spencer | Roll neck: ASOS | Trousers: ASOS | Shoes: ASOS | Bag: c/o Yosa (similar)
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P.S. Like this post? You might also want to read How to Make Casual Pieces (Distressed Jeans, Backpack, Beanie) Look Smart!
Linking up to: Style Stories, iwillwearwhatilike, Visible Monday, Let It Shine, Monday Mingle, Style Sessions, Turning Heads Tuesday, Trend Spin Link-Up, What I Wore Wednesday, Brilliant Blog Posts, Throwback Thursday, My Refined Style, Passion for Fashion Friday, Friday’s Fab Favourites, Fun Fashion Friday, Shoe and Tell
This coat really is a thing of beauty! I adore it and you look gorgeous in it! x
I have to agree with you about the coat, Nadine – M&S really did get it spot-on with the colour and pattern! Thank you so much my lovely xx
I adore this coat. Would love it myself, but I already have a bright solid orange coat. Also nice (on my blog in one and a half week).
Greetje
Isn't orange great, Greetje – I can't understand how/why I now love it! Do let me know when you've posted yours, tag me in on Twitter or Facebook perhaps…? And thank you! xx
Kinda dying over that coat! It's amazing!
Aww thanks ladies – I'm rather in love with it too…!! x
That coat is awesome! and those shoes! My room in high school was actually painted about that same color orange. I'm not sure why I went through that phase. Haha. It was a pretty color but a bit loud for a bedroom.
http://ashortblonde.com
Wow you're right, Catherine – it IS a loud colour for a bedroom, haha!! Thank you, glad you liked the coat too x
Yay!!! Your search was successful! I remember you trying to get your mitts on it. It looks FABULOUS! I really really adore it.
It WAS, Lisa – I was so pleased!! Thank you my lovely xx
Oh wow so so stunning! I love the coat can't take my eyes off it! Gemma x
http://www.jacquardflower.uk
Hehe thank you Gemma…!!!! xoxo
Love that coat!! It looks great on you!
xo
Lynn
Thank you Lynn, so glad you think so! x
Orange is so fun, LOVE this look.
Marie @ In Our Happy Place
Aww thanks Marie!! xx
Bravo for standing out in a crowd!
I literally did, Helen!! thank you x
I'm really into burnt orange at the moment. I've always liked it but never had the chance to find much in that colour
https://matchamilady.wordpress.com/
Isn't it funny how we suddenly change our minds about things, Selina – what fickle creatures we are…!!!!
This outfit just screams fun to me 🙂 I guess orange is one of those happy colors that I should wear more often 😉
Monica.
I agree, Monica – probably one of the happiest!!!! Thank you x
Orange is one of those hugely underrated colors that has such a KILLER impact. This coat looks stunning with your auburn locks and adds such a necessary punch of vibrancy for winter.
Love love love Catherine!
Xoxo,
Ashley || Sed Bona
Wow that's a lovely description, Ashley – thank you!!! x
That coat was made for you, Catherine! So whimsical and luxe at the same time. FABULOUS. Thanks a million for joining in Fun Fashion Friday! I keep voting for you. Let us know WHEN you win!!
OXOX
Dawn Lucy
http://fashionshouldbefun.blogspot.com
Oh Dawn Lucy thank you – and thank you!! I find out Friday if I've been shortlisted, then the top 10 goes to a panel of judges in April. Fingers crossed for stage one…!! x
GREAT coat! I love the shoes, too! The orange looks fantastic on you!
I think a bright coat is so nice in winter; almost everyone is always in grey, black, or some other neutral. A pop of color can really brighten up your (and others') day!
Thank you Andrea – and yes bright coloured winter coats are rarely seen on the streets, I must admit! x
I too avoided orange my entire life and have never owned an orange anything until recently. Now I find myself gravitating towards it along with peach. It looks amazing teamed with navy clothing and tan accessories. On paper an 'orange animal print coat' sounds a bit 'eewwww' but of course you show how wonderful it can look.
Funny isn't it, RLH, that it tends to be a colour that a lot of people avoid…?! And you like peach too like me (now that IS unusual)!! Thank you for the kind words xx
Orange is a tough color to wear! You make it look so fun and effortless!
xo,
Abby of Life in the Fash Lane
Thanks Abby, I always thought it was a hard colour to wear too – I guess I just had to find the pieces I really loved…!
I love a bit of orange, wear it a lot in summer, but you're right, we do need to brighten up the sea of dark coats so I will look out for something zingy like this! Hope you had a great weekend. x
Thanks sweetie, I have to admit I don't notice that I'm wearing bright colours – it was only when it was pointed out to me that I was easy to spot on the platform that I thought "oh yeah, suppose I am…!!" x
I got this when I saw yours on instagram :)) I wore it to the hairdressers last week and got loads of compliments. Sold out online but there are still a few in store at Meadowhall but they are either in a size 8 or 22. Mum went on the hunt for one. Looks great on you xx
Ohh you're a lucky girl, Tracey – seems they sold out online really quickly!! Can't wait to see you in yours xx
Love this orange look! Great coat find!
xoxo – katestylepetite.com
Aww thanks Kate, I think you can tell just how much I loved it…!!
You look amazing! I love orange clothes and definitely don't wear them enough. I'm loving the sound of your 90's orange/lime combo, too! x
moreaboutcat.co.uk
Hehe thank you Cat – the orange/lime I wore in the 90s wasn't nice though, it was the worst shades of both…!
YES!!
It is a beauty.
I hunted for one too (after your Insta-heads-up) but my size had gone :o(
I did find a fur one, but that is another story.
Back to you and this fabulous orange!
Orange is to you as peach is to me…crazy isn't it?
I love orange (despite having orangish hair, which looks ever oranger with orange!)
I can't get enough.
It is just a happy colour that makes me smile, and we all know crows feet are preferable to jowls.
This coat has lifted my jowls… especially paired with those gorgeous orange shoes.
A fabulous look.
XXX
Samantha
fakefabulous.com
P.S. I remember the orange and lime of the 90's (and the orange and hot pink too). Both combinations I still like, but need to be careful to get a modern shape to pull off these classic combos. Hmmmm…..off hunting again!
Oh no what a shame you didn't get one, Samantha – you said you wanted one…!! Though you mentioned a faux fur, will we be seeing a new one of those on you I wonder?! Thank you sweetie x
The coat is wonderful! Especially with your hair.
bisous
Suzanne
Aww thanks Suzanne – maybe the new hair colour has changed my thoughts on orange without me realising…?!! x
Well done! I often miss out when the sales get big, like this one! Gorgeous coat, shoes and you. xox
Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
I usually do, Patti – I often wait and wait for something to be reduced by loads in the sale and when they do they sell out before I get there. Not this time, though, MWAHAHAHAHA!!!! Thank you my lovely x
Wow you landing on your feet finding that coat – what a bargain! Such a beauty!
Sophie
x
A Story of a Girl
I do feel very smug about it, Sophie…!! Thank you x