Many years ago I bought my very first cashmere coat. It was charcoal, single breasted and long. It was as soft and warm as cashmere promises to be and without a doubt, a real wardrobe keeper. One day I gave it to my dearly departed grandmother who needed it more than I did and I haven't seen it since.
Two years on and I have decided it's time to find myself a new cashmere coat and what better time to do that than when your employer rewards you with a bit of extra cash for your 15 years of service (yes, I'm a loyal employee).
So I began my search for the perfect coat and what I noticed surprised me. Sadly, cashmere coats are not as readily available as they used to be. Gone are the days when you could walk into a large department store and find an array of cashmere coats at price points to suit all budgets. Now, a cashmere coat can cost in excess of $500 and are seemingly rare. Whilst it is a good investment (lets be honest, you'll keep it forever), this price point can have many walking away empty handed, myself included.
That was, until I decided to do a little more research online (I don't give up easily) and found a company called Catcher Coats. A 43 year family run business who import wool and cashmere fabrics from Italy and manufacture the coats right here in Australia. I initially liaised with Emma (the daughter) via email, then I made the trip to the Queen Victoria Market, where they rent some not-so-fancy but practical shed space, and got to know David (the Dad) and Sally (the Mum). I was welcomed with impeccable service, certainly not the pushy kind we often encounter at markets. I dealt with a personable and down-to-earth woman who couldn't be happier to help me find the perfect coat to suit my petite frame, even if that meant trying on about 6 different styles! Advice:I would highly recommend trying the jackets on if you can. The jacket I went in to buy is not the one I came home with despite falling in love with it on their website.
Not only did I leave Catcher Coats with the feeling that I had found a new friend in Sally, but I left with a flattering and high quality wool and cashmere blend coat that cost me an impressive $189! For that price I may be back in March when their new season styles hit the racks.
Catcher Coats are one of the very few cashmere coat manufacturers left in Melbourne and I hope they stick around for many more years to come. If you haven't already got a cashmere blend coat and have been toying with the idea of perhaps adding one to your wardrobe, give Catcher Coats a go. There's a style to suit all body types, an array of winter colours to choose from and a price point that wont leave you eating 2 minute noodles for the rest of the month.
MM
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Got a question or simply want to say "hello"? Email me at maimmelbourne@gmail.com
Cashmere coat: Catcher Coats
Shoes: Tony Bianco
Laptop bag: Forever New
Tassel earrings: Colette by Colette Hayman
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