“Casablanca”

“My husband believes women's legs are meant to be seen and hates anything ankle length unilaterally. I almost never buy anything he doesn't like because I want to look attractive to him. However, I've wanted a classic ankle length dress coat for 30 years and the price on this was impossible to pass on. I just got it today and have not had any reason to wear it. However, I think it is gorgeous. The cashmere added to the wool gives it a soft hand that a pure wool coat doesn't have. There is no scratchiness, something I loathe about pure wool. I'm only 5'4" and it hits right at my ankle bone and I've got a 30" inseam, so short legged women who want a long coat should be prepared to have it altered. With heeled boots, my husband concedes it would be "tolerable", but I don't wear heels, especially if there is snow or ice on the ground. I might purchase a reasonably priced pair of heeled boots to wear with this coat when the ground is dry because it would be classier than flat boots. A scarf inside the neckline would jazz it up, too. I doubt there is a more beautiful wool/cashmere blend coat available at an affordable price. I read some women were surprised by the shoulder pads. I've never had a dress coat that did not have shoulder pads. I also sew and have taken tailoring classes. Dressy suit jackets and coats have shoulder pads to give them shape and structure. The shoulder is wider than in a casual jacket or coat and would collapse without the pads. These are very small and don't make you look like an '80s replay.”