The Secret Dressing Room Selfies!

Readers, I know it's wrong -- or is it wrong?

I don't often try on clothes in store dressing rooms and take stealth selfies because I hardly ever shop in stores.  Still, there are times when I'm exploring what's out there and it's the only way I can remember what I'm seeing.  It's not like I'm going to copy something for resale nor am I the store's customer; I don't buy ready-to-wear anymore (with the exception of socks).

I just want to record what I like so I can improve my own projects.

Plus, these same details can often be viewed on the stores' own websites.  But not always.

I've become obsessed with sporty outerwear since finishing my parka, and I'm already planning future projects and thinking about improvements I might make to the patterns I have.  There's so much cool "heritage brand" outerwear out there, updated interpretations of American classic workwear or vintage hiking/mountain climbing gear, often (though not always) created by Japanese designers.  This link is precisely the kind of thing I mean.

Today I visited a favorite store that carries brands like these, and I saw a wonderful coated-cotton raincoat with many marvelous details: hidden pockets and zippers and plackets and snaps, a detachable hood, and more.  It's much heavier than my parka and -- I hate to say it -- considerably hipper looking, in part because it's solid black inside and out.

Front pocket.

Chest hidden pocket.

Separate zipper shield.

Removable, snap-on hood.

Adjustable cuff.

Front metal zipper.

Inside collar.

Zippered inside chest pocket.

If I make another big coat this winter -- and I'm not sure I will -- I think I'll definitely go with a matching lining -- it creates a sleeker look.  And metal zippers are classier than plastic.  A detachable hood makes a coat somewhat more versatile.

If you're wondering what this Made in China coat costs, well...



I no longer make public judgments about price.  Is that price high or not?  It depends what you're comparing it to.

Meanwhile, I have received my latest outwear pattern purchase and hope to pick up fabric for it this week.



Confession: I have two more outerwear patterns on the way.  I'm officially obsessed!





In closing, I can't remember if I ever asked you this before:

Is it OK to take detailed dressing-room photos of clothing you want to copy -- provided, of course, you're not wasting a salesperson's time in the process?  And if you post them on your blog, does that cross a line?

Have a great day, everybody!