A Lucky Find In Paris

Style blogger Susan B. wears an agnes b. a-line wool coat. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

A camel coat is of those items that’s been on my wish list for years.* Decades, even. It’s such a timeless piece, and understatedly elegant. But the right one has eluded me. Color, shape, weight, fabric, details…there was always at least one of these elements that missed the mark. But this coat ticks all of those boxes. Total coup de foudre.

It’s from the iconic French brand agnes b. I spotted it in a boutique near my hotel on my second day in Paris. It was the last one in this color. I was lucky; it was the right size. The fabric’s not actually camel-hair, but a wool/Angora blend that’s light and really, really soft.

Susan B. wears a camel jacket from agnes b. in front of a blue door in Paris.

What I love most is the shape and cut. It very has a 1950’s feel to it: A-line, almost a swing coat. And those self-covered buttons! The sleeves need to be shortened, but otherwise it fits like a dream. The collar can be worn up or down.

Susan B. wears an agnes b. camel jacket in Paris.

It’s hard to get the color right in the photos, but it’s a very neutral shade, not too cool or warm. The color seems to change depending on the light.

Susan B. wears a beige jacket from agnes b. in Paris.

 

It’s warm but still lightweight enough for the cool months in LA. And the fit also allows me to layer up underneath if needed.

*I’m using “camel” here to refer to the color, not necessarily the material. You could also call it “tan” and I wouldn’t argue.

Photos taken by Josephine (Chic At Any Age).

I haven’t been able to find this particular style online, but here are a few with a similar look:

stadium cloth coat from J.Crew. Details at une femme d'un certain age.
J.Crew

Ann Taylor camel wrap coat. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

Ann Taylor

Everlane cocoon coat in tan. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

Everlane

felt wool coat from French Connection. More like this at une femme d'un certain age.

French Connection

tan wool car coat from Lands' End. More at une femme d'un certain age.
Lands’ End

Is there anything on your wardrobe wish list that has eluded you for years?

Camel Coat Options…

 

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33 Comments

  1. Beautiful. I have tended shy away from camel colored coats for myself because most of the shades of this color wash me out but this one is perfect for you. So classic and timeless.

  2. Looks very good on you and goes with EVERYTHING! I had a similar coloured coat, perhaps with a little more pink. I always felt great in it. It was from UK brand Principles but was expensive for them as it had cashmere. It kept beautifully for several years until fashion overtook it!

  3. Beautiful! Oops. Just spotted Nancy said that too, but I’m sticking with the word because beautiful it is. The neckline does it for me. So classic, so classy. Great find.
    Hugs, x.

  4. I will be the third person to say this is such a beautiful coat! I’ve been looking for one for a long time too, but I’m looking for one with raglan shoulders. I had one many years ago and never got over letting it go!

  5. Love the Agnes B topper. Looks so chic on you with the floral scarf. Camel can be a tough color to wear and you make it work here. A real keeper for your forever wardrobe! Fabuleux!!!!

  6. As a teenager I had a camel coat – below the knee, large collar, wrap style (no buttons). I loved that coat and wore it, literally, to its demise. I’ve had my eyes open for a replacement on and off for years. Occasionally I see one that is close, but not quite, or I see one, but am unwilling to pay the steep price. That coat and a classic trench coat I have loved all my life (I’m 60). Finally a couple years ago I bought the classic trench, now to just get the camel coat!

  7. I’ve also been searching for the right camel coat… it has to be warm-toned enough (not too putty coloured) to work on me. I ADORE the shawl collar neckline on the Agnes B one you scored. It is perfect, and you’ll get years and years out of this, I bet! xx

  8. Jackpot for sure. I immediately saw the 1950’s influence which brings back memories of a classic look! Love it!

  9. Love your camel coat; I find it difficult to wear camel because of my silver hair but I have held on to my mother’s camel coat for years because it’s so classic and I keep thinking I’ll find a way to wear it. It’s style is very similar to the Ann Taylor coat. Maybe a scarf will help?

  10. Such a great silhouette for your wardrobe, that coat. And so pale – works great with your hair I think!

  11. It’s a lovely coat and compliments your skin tone beautifully. I’ve always avoided a “camel” color, because it washes me out. Now I’ve let my hair go to it’s natural color (which is graying ALOT…lol), I would love to find a coat with a softer color than black, which is what I have now, but still be a color I could wear with anything.

  12. Love the coat. I picked up a similar, but longer, vintage coat last Spring. I had it hemmed to 3/4s length like yours.
    I’m searching for red leather boots, but just can’t seem to find the right shade, texture or shape. Let it go, they will come.

  13. Love the coat!! It really suits you perfectly and you look super happy in it!
    This was my year for a ‘camel’ coat too by the way. I went for a long length with lapels and a folded cuff. I feel very 1950’s movie star glam in it.
    As a fellow blonde, I think these particular coats look so luxurious with blonde hair, pearls and a great scarf.
    (move over, Marilyn!!)

  14. A terrific coat. And you will get so much more mileage out of it than I would have, if I had bought that green coat haha. Josephine shot fantastic photos of you in the coat. Paris is such a lovely background for photos.. sigh..
    Greetje

  15. It is a sumptuous, but simple, coat and suits you to a T. But even though I inherited one once, I regifted it to a blonde friend – it washed me out. I want a green coat like that, but I have in mind a certain shade of green that harks back to the same era. Sort of like camelhair dyed a mossy green…

    I guess that even though you probably wouldn’t wear that much in Southern California, even a trip to SF or the mountains on a blustery day could justify it, to say nothing of travel to Paris or any point north in Europe (though beware the rain in Amsterdam)…

    By itself, it isn’t quite warm enough for the worst winter weather up here, but nowadays there are down and technical layering garments that it would make it toasty in Minneapolis, Montréal or Maine, without making the wearer look like Michelin woman.