My Most Timeless & Versatile Coat

Building your uniform with a coat you can wear anywhere and with endless styling variations.

Hi and welcome back for week 2 of Uniform!

The past few weeks I have been thinking a lot about versatility and what pieces I can truly wear for different occasions and several places. Pieces that feel really easy, almost chameleon like. One of the first items to come to mind was a Toteme coat I bought in 2018. This coat has proved its timelessness, I wear it for work, errands, weekends, travel, and evening.

Toteme signature wool cashmere coat in black, camel, and chocolate. The coat also comes in a chic two variation

A few reasons it is one of the most versatile items in my wardrobe:

1. It is comfortable. It is lightweight and relaxed. You can throw on over anything and walk out the door.

2. It is elegant. The cut of the collar, the side slits at the hem and the long-line it creates are all very polished.

3. The double faced wool and cashmere fabric is super cozy and luxe.

4. It is great for layering, the cut is oversized and great over a chunky knit or a tee. Which also makes this an amazing travel companion.

5. It has multiple styling capabilities. It can go from relaxed to polished to ladylike with a few tweaks.

Images clockwise from left: Toteme coat in black, Toteme coat in check (love the matching scarf styling here!), Jennifer Lawrence in the camel shade, Instagram: Modedamour, The Row, The Row on the cover of How To Spend It, side view of the Toteme coat in camel, Instagram: Brittany Bathgate, Linda Evangelista by Chris Colls for The Sunday Times Style, Toteme F/W 2018

Here are my latest styling takes on this very loved coat:

For helpful context on the length of this coat- I am 5’7 (or maybe 5’6 and half) and I am wearing a size small.

Over Suiting

Toteme coat in black, old Toteme blazer, great alternative below, Everlane polo knit, Toteme belt, Pheobe Philo trouser, Toteme Faux fur flats

• I like this look for its refined take on dressing with oversized proportions. The slim knit and belt draw the eye to your waist which avoids an overwhelming feeling.

• Layers with texture is key. My suiting doesn’t match which makes it feel a bit effortless.

• A boxy cut blazer works best, it shouldn’t be too stiff or structured, but hang nicely underneath.

• I choose a slim shoe to balance out the bulk and oversized look of pant and coat.

Toteme coat in chocolate, Vince slim knit (love this buttoned all the way up) Another Tomorrow Blazer (their suiting is truly amazing quality and the company is B Corp Certified!), Le Monde Beryl flats, Frankie Shop wide leg trouser, Toteme sweater - this is the same fabric as the coat- would be perfect tied like a scarf like the Row reference in the moodboard above.

Belted

Toteme coat in black, Khaite belt, Falke polka dot tights, old Toteme pearl strap kitten heel.

• Belting this coat it gives it an elegant and a little bit of a ladylike take. Wrapping the coat around and cinching the waist highlight shape of the portrait like collar.

• For evening, pair with polka dot tights, a feminine shoe and a small clutch.

• For a great outfit for running errands or doing something where you leave your coat on, wear with a comfortable boot, one with a chunky sole but an almond shaped toe is a great way to still look refined. You could actually wear anything underneath- sweater dress, tights, leggings or sweats (see below for my favorite sweats right now). This look is also a great way to beat the cold temperatures.

  

  Toteme clutch, Falke tights, Amina Muaddi ballet flats, Rue De Verneuil tote -on sale from an already great price (I have a few of these, in different sizes, and use all the time), Khaite belt, Aeyde Chelsea Boot

Off Duty

Toteme coat in black, (old) Celine grey turtleneck, Khaite Jeans, old Toteme lace up boots, &Daughter grey sweater on my shoulders, Metier brown suede bag

• One of the best things about this coat is that you can fit a chunky knit underneath without it being too tight in shoulders or chest

• Building upon the chocolate brown and heather grey concept from last week’s post, I like the subtle hints of grey and brown but keeping black as the grounding color.

• I threw a sweater over my shoulders, which would also be great tied like a scarf. Toteme also makes this matching scarf which I love and am now thinking about buying.

Toteme coat in camel, &Daughter sweater, Metier bag, The Row loafers, Khaite Jeans, Falke socks (this link was broken in last weeks email- trying again!)

I got a little nostalgic with all the years I have been wearing this coat and dug thru some old photos. Several cities, tons of different styling variations and quite a few airplane days, often paired with sweats, spent in this coat.

Images from left: 2023: on my way to a dinner paired with Proenza Schouler leather pants, 2019: Aspen with some variation of a cashmere sweatsuit underneath, 2018: NY with my dear friend Jenny’s baby, 2021: in Utah with my favorite Gucci clog boots (avail on The RealReal if you are a size 8!)

In honor- some of my favorite lounge items right now. All would be great to hide (or not hide) under this coat:

1. Ralph Lauren hoodie and sweat pant -VERY soft.

2. This Cos sweatshirt-great under this coat but looks luxe enough for the office. And a cashmere sweat pant to wear with it.

3. I love the preppy, merch vibe of Sporty & Rich- they are on a drop model ( they sell out on launch day!) so don’t drag your feet. Farfetch also has a good selection right now.

See you next week,

x

ali