Years ago Carol once said to me, “You vote with your dollars”. It’s something that stuck. I live in Toronto, a close walk to two major streets that are lined with shops, restaurants and general services. Even if it means spending a few extra dollars, I prefer to support these Mom and Pop shops over the big box variety namely because it’s these very businesses that make-up my community. And I vote for that.
Nathalie touched on the fabulous One of a Kind Show that is hosted in the city biannually – in fact the spring show is coming up – and it was at the winter show that I discovered Coats By Mary Ellen.
Coats are big deal when you live in a climate like I do. I wear a coat almost 10 months out of 12 and the collection that I have amassed over the years is impressive. I’ve got everything from a classic trench to a perfectly worn denim crop and robin’s egg blue Duffle coat (my sagging closet rods will attest to many, many more). As for winter wear I have both a black and a white parka and a moto-inspired black Mackage coat for dressier occasions. For years I have mulled adding a fabulous winter white dress coat to my collection but I hadn’t found the perfect one. Some looked too clinical, others too stuffy; none were classic with an element of fun. And in the dead of winter, I need a little fun.
I found my coat at the One of a Kind where the Pizzonia family proudly showcased a stunning example of their finest, hand-sewn coats.
Each coat is designed, cut and sewed in Toronto using carefully selected Italian fabrics (wools and cashmeres) for the shell and lined beautifully in flannel-backed satin. If you don’t find the perfect coat from their fetching stock it’s possible to customize a coat’s every detail including: colour, style, fabric, lining, buttons and tailoring.
I did leave the One of a Kind empty-handed save for a business card but when I returned home, I described every detail of the white, wool coat with black leather trim and over-sized black buttons that caught my eye to anyone who’d listen. For so long I had been hesitant about buying a white coat because, let’s be honest, a white coat with three young children doesn’t always mix well together . . .but I really wanted it.
It turns out that someone was listening to me go on and on about that coat because Christmas morning, I unwrapped it. For now my collection is complete.
Click here to see my coat’s cousin (#2058) here to see a real stunner (10-291). . . this one in the ruby red may be next on my wish-list. There is a winter clearance sale . . .
To see more Coats By Mary Ellen visit their website here or their store at 951 Wilson Avenue in Toronto.
4 Mothers 