This winter has been harsher than last – snow sticking to the ground, intense winds and relentless rain. It’s the kind of season that demands a solid winter coat. Yet, when I walk through Cambridge and Somerville, winter fashion seems to lack cohesion. I see summer windbreakers in snowstorms and stylish coats that offer little warmth.
Growing up in Europe, seasonal and generational trends were unmistakable. A duffle coat, for example, wasn’t just a purchase – it was an investment, often passed down through generations. I inherited my grandmother’s, and despite the sleeves being too short, I’ll wear it one day. In Ireland and Scotland, woolen coats and tweed jackets symbolize heritage, while in Eastern Europe, fur and sheepskin coats endure through time.
In America, the only coats I’ve seen passed down are military. Is it a lack of artisanship? A preference for fast fashion? Can we blame the pandemic for this one? Perhaps, here, coats aren’t heirlooms, but just another seasonal purchase.
Correct me if I am wrong! Leave a comment on any heirloom fashion staples in the United States.
The feature image for this post (but not the image seen above) was added to in a digital retouching process. The far right and left of the frame are not real. The model was photographed and his image is untouched and real.
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