New Stuff . . . It Just Isn't Me

If you have seen me outside in the winter, you have seen my brown coat.

Almost a decade ago, I needed a brown coat to go with all my brown stuff, and I finally broke down and bought one. At first it was pretty nice--and several years later I even wore it for our family picture.

 

It's been to Whistler,

 

the Olympic sites,

 

the mall, the school, every park in our town, and many, many other places.

Lately, though, my brown coat has started to look a little worn and shabby. The outside (which isn't waterproof) looks too flat, the fake-sheep wool lining has lost its fluff, and the shape shows that I wore the coat during all three of my pregnancies.

The past few years I have vowed that after Christmas--when everything is on sale--I would buy a new coat. But I wasn't quite sure what style to buy and never found anything I really liked at a low enough price.

This year, however, I had an idea. I'd seen other moms wearing a longer style of coat that looked pretty warm and cozy.

After Christmas I tried going to the mall, but with Alaina trying to climb out of the stroller and Janae and Ben complaining, I left empty handed.

Then yesterday I got an email from one of the stores I sometimes frequent (just to check out the sale rack, of course), advertising 60 percent off of dresses and COATS.

Opening the email, I found lots of nice coats, including one that looked exactly like the one I had in mind--even down to the fur-trimmed hood--except it was black instead of brown.

 

Still, I thought maybe I'd go to the store and try a few coats on.

To make a really long story a little shorter, I ended up buying the coat--the last one in my size--at a pretty low price.

But all the way home I was tormented by this decision. I thought I could wear the coat to pick up Ben in the afternoon, but then thought, "What if he doesn't spot me right away . . . because I'm not wearing my brown coat?" I thought about what the other moms would think, seeing me in the very different coat. (I just like to blend in with my surroundings, I guess--hence, the brown coat.)

At home I tried the new coat on again and worried that it was too long, the sleeves fit a bit short, the shape didn't look right when I turned.

I thought I'd take the coat back.

Jason--who sometimes has to beg me to buy new clothes--thought I should keep it.

Janae--who loves anything new or flashy--told me I "need to wear" the new coat.

I think it's a bit ironic that while most people might feel embarrassed to wear the old brown coat (including myself at times, I might add), I feel embarrassed at the thought of wearing a new one.

I'm still not sure what to do about the black coat, but if you see me outside this winter, chances are I will be wearing my brown coat.

It's just more me :)