Brain Coat

This is the very first vintage coat I ever bought. It must have been about 14 years ago now- and I remember it like it was yesterday.


There used to be a great second hand clothing store in New Lynn called "The Wonder Warehouse". I'm sure that this store single handedly paved the way for the Savemarts we have today! (The first Savemart started in the same premises when Wonder Warehouse was phased out you see)

I still have a few great pieces from the days of the Wonder Warehouse- but none so special to me as my "Brain Coat".

It is a genuine 50's Astrakhan with a (real) fur collar. Close up the twists in the fur do look just like a brain.



While I don't condone killing animals to wear them by any stretch- this coat was made in a time when it was acceptable to do so. My feelings on fur are not going to change the fact that this coat exists. I guess it isn't a great deal different to wearing leather at the end of the day.

I spent $100 on this coat all those years ago. That was a big investment for me at the time. Turns out it was a smart investment too. I recently saw a similar coat for sale in a vintage clothing store for $600..... Woah. I am fairly sure I could never spend that much on any one fashion piece!