Monday, February 27, 2017

Iconically North American


I usually share more or less elaborate outfits on my blog, but on those days when I feel overwhelmed and crave simplicity, I am drawn to loose dresses in natural fabrics, much like this chambray number. I wore it quite a few times lately, enjoying the modern lines, pockets, high-low hem and of course polka dots! Polka dots just make everything better, don't they? 


I combined the iconic American denim with a wool coat that strongly resembles another iconic North American item - a Hudson's Bay point blanket. Let me give you a quick historical background. As early as the 16th century, wool blankets were introduced to Native Americans by European settlers (fur traders). Those kind of blankets were highly desirable as they provided warmth even when wet. In 1780, the Hudson's Bay Company (Canada) introduced their version of a wool blanket with an easily recognizable pattern of green, red, yellow and navy stripes on a white background. Since then, Hudson's Bay blankets became a Canadian heirloom. The early examples are collectible and have sold for thousands of dollars. You can read more detailed history on this subject in a Wiki article HERE or on the blog The Cavender Diary: 2 Grown Men vs a 40 Year Old HouseHERE (I found this charming vintage ad image in that blog too).


Photo from my old post (December 2015) - HERE

My coat is by the British brand Boden and is 50% wool and 50% acrylic/polyester. As you can see, it's reminiscent of Hudson's Bay blankets, though it lacks a green stripe. You could see it previously in my post about traveling to the Oregon Coast a little over a year ago (link above). The fabric is quite warm for the mild Northwest winter, and I found it somewhat water-repellent - I wasn't fishing or hunting, but I can attest that it felt cozy on the ocean beach in Winter, where it is always a little dribbly. If you do a search on Hudson's Bay coats, you'll see both contemporary and vintage wool coats with identifiable Hudson's Bay stripes, and maybe even find a coat for purchase for yourself. I find vintage coats to be especially fetching.



My new booties are by Ecco's and bought on clearance. I was happy to find a comfy pair of boots in beautiful cognac leather and without a heel, for a change. When I hurt my foot last December, I realized that all my boots were high heel, with only one exception, that got a lot of use during my recovery. So this pair is a more than welcomed addition to my wardrobe, and I was especially happy to pay for it with a Christmas gift card from my wonderful daughter. Now I will always think of them as Anya's boots. :)



Photos by Justin
Location: Lake Union, Seattle

Dress - Melissa McCarthy (clearance)
Boots - Ecco via Nordstrom Rack (clearance)
Coat - Boden (old)
Sweater tights - Spanx via Lane Bryant (old)
Purse - Michael Kors
Sunnies - via Fireworks
Jewelry - old, collected over the years

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23 comments:

  1. how gorgeous of justin to connect the colorful coat with the kayaks!
    and your coat ist just beautiful! a really cheery and happy garment! i totally understand that you reach for it in stressful times or on grey days! same with loose dresses - i like to wear something roomy but structured when the going gets tough too :-) love your polka dot number!
    anya´s booties are a great find - gloriously combining chic and comfort!
    huge hugs my dear friend!
    xxxxxx

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    1. Thank you so much, my dear! When we're feeling down or overwhelmed, clothes should be soothing to both our bodies and soul. I find that simple styles work best for me at such times. And bright colors always cheer me up!

      Lots of love and sunshine to you!

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  2. I've never seen those Hudson Bay blankets before but that drawing is wonderful and your Boden coat is almost a dupe for one. It really is fab.
    Clever of Justin to see the similarity with the canoes. x

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    1. I can't take credit for that, it was Natasha's work, 100% :)

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    2. Thank you both! I was waiting for Justin and noticed how kayaks were resembling the stripes on my coat, so I took a few shots before we forget to do it. Justin would do a better job with white balance and other photographical miracles. I'm not very technical, but I have a good eye for composition and detail too.

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  3. It was interesting to read about those blankets. Simple yet lovely pattern. The coat is amazing, I especially like how you styled it with the yellow-ish scarf and umbrella on the photo from the earlier post. Cool boots! One needs that type of comfortable shoes once in a while at least.

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    1. I wear it often when go for a walk in winter, it's warm, but I do need a scarf, esp. on breezy days. I also think that the coat looks great with jeans, too bad I find jeans uncomfortable to wear these days. A denim dress is a great alternative in that sense!

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  4. I run into the Hudson Bay Company history often in my travels through the Pacific Northwest so your post was most interesting. Those stripes are truly iconic. Love the coat in the vintage ad. Keeping my eyes out for that one!

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  5. I'm going to quibble a little here. That is most decidedly an iconic CANADIAN image. We are very protective of our Hudson's Bay stripes up here as being Canadian only. Same goes for a lot of comedians Americans like to call their own. : )

    As a disabled person, I'm a big fan of Ecco shoes and boots. If you come across boots just like yours but up to the knee, do let me know. I've been looking and looking for a pair in rich brown, with a flat, rubber sole. They seem to be nowhere! I like booties but, when I'm on my mobility scooter, my shins freeze without tall boots.

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    1. Yes, the Hudson's Bay company is Canadian. I did not mean to offend anyone's feelings. I only wrote about the blankets being a "North American icon" because the trading was on both the Canadian and US sides, which makes it an early North American historical phenomena, at least to me, as an outsider. :)

      Ecco always provides good quality! Have you tried to purchase online? On my page COMFY SHOES, there are a few resources, and if you know your feet well, you could try to find tall boots that way. I've bought from a few different online shops before, and the only tricky part is that my feet are wide, and every company has a different idea what that means, so for shoes I do prefer to shop in stores and try shoes out immediately.

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    2. I wasn't offended. Just amused. We really do think of those blankets and quintessentially Canadian up here. Like maple syrup, which you can also get in the States.

      I have ordered shoes online, for sure, but even there I can't find what I'm looking for. I have a pair of black, Ecco, knee boots that I've just about worn into the ground, but their brown ones don't have the right sole. I think the sole that works best for me is out of style or something.

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    3. Thank you, Charlotte! I added to my text the words "North American" and "Canada", so there is no confusion.

      I know, feet are the most demanding part of my body! If I could, I'd walk barefoot always. :)

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  6. Natalia you look amazing. Great pictures! I eally love the boden coat with this lovely coloured stripes. I had ordered the skirt in same stripes, but he did not fit me. Big hugh Tina

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    1. Boden has such fun prints, and the quality is good, but I'm with you - gotta watch their sizes as I am on the edge of their biggest size I believe.

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  7. Natalia,
    Love the blanket inspired coat, I do love it! The combo wont the denim, dotted and plan is great, and I love the umbrella pattern too. Great bit of history and I adore the vintage ad!
    Well done!
    xx, Elle
    http://www.theellediaries.com/blog/

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    1. I'm glad you appreciate this, Elle! The history behind it is new to me, so I figured my readers would like to discover it with me too. But of course some of you, my friends, know about these striking blankets very well! :)

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  8. typos, sorry !! Plan= plain, wont = with, Can I fire my own fingers?
    xx, Elle

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    1. We'll forgive them their mischief, they are too pretty. :)

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  9. Well, I didn't know anything about these striped blankets/coats, which I've always liked! But now I like them even more. Such an interesting history!
    I love your comfy&cool style, your chambray dress, and your relaxed smile meanwhile posing in the sun!. Gorgeous!
    besos

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    1. Thank you, Monica! Sunshine is always welcome in our rainy part of the world! :)

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  10. I love this relaxed outfit, you look both comfortable and stylish. I'm a big fan a simple, relaxed clothes (it's a Nordic thing...) that you can live in, and that adjust to the climate and weather. And the scenery matches your outfit perfectly!

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    1. Thank you, Tiina! I also think that this is a perfect outfit to be around water and boats, and of course comfy too! I'm glad that it pushed your buttons, my dear. :)

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