A British-Made Duffle in a Goldrush Town

I bought this Gloverall duffle coat almost two years ago, just before I got pregnant with Avery. I'd actually planned to send it back – partly because I didn't think it fit me right and partly because I felt guilty about spending so much on it. Instead I let it sit in the back of our car, return label affixed, for the duration of an entire pregnancy + baby year before finally resurrecting it this winter.

And as it turns out, I absolutely love this jacket. Whatever fit issues I thought it had back in 2016 I no longer notice, and it's a little late to worry about the price tag – that money's long spent.

I love the slim cut, the buffalo horn toggles, the rich navy hue, and the cozy deep pockets. But most of all, I love the weight. It's not your typical stiff pea coat wool, but rather a breathable, medium weight 80/20 wool-poly blend that feels a lot like performance fleece. I know that polyamide fabrics aren't the most sustainable, but in this case I'm willing to compromise for the sake of wearability (in temperate California, a truly heavy wool coat will make your swelter).

The Gloverall brand also has a cool history. It was founded in 1951 when Harold & Freda Morris were approached the by Britain's Ministry of defense to help make good use of their surplus World War II Naval ‘Monty’ duffle coats. Once the public got a taste of these stylish and functional coats they went nuts, and Gloverall's stock ran out by 1954. At that point, the company designed their own version of the military-style duffle using a lighter fabric and special cuts for women and children. Over sixty years later, their coats are all still made in the U.K.

All the boxes are checked in my book: classic style, ethical cred, top-notch quality, and comfort.

So even though my hometown of Temecula is quite mild at the moment, I'll just play British dress-up while enjoying the cool desert air. And leaning listlessly against refurbished 19th-century saloons, naturally.

These Autumn Evergreens

Although our neighborhood is filled with orange and gold these days, you'll also find pockets of eternal summer. Northern California is filled with conifers, live oak trees, and ivy varieties, all of whom provide just enough green to offset their dreary deciduous cousins. 

I like the idea of having evergreen pieces in my wardrobe, too. This Woolrich jacket is one of them: light enough for summer evenings but warm enough to provide a cozy top layer in fall and winter. Same with my Viktoria + Woods denim skirt, which can be winterized with boots and tights. All of the pieces pictured here have become wardrobe staples and, with the exception of the Amour Vert top, have been in my closet for over three years. It's all part of the clothing philosophy I'm trying to live by: investing in well-made, relatively timeless pieces that will stay with me for many seasons to come.

Outfit details: Woolrich jacket (fabric made in U.S.A., similar here) | Viktoria + Woods high-waisted denim skirt (similar here; made in Australia) | Corso Como boots (I've had these for over five years and love 'em; similar here) | Amour Vert ribbed tank top (made in U.S.A., similar here).