This story happened during my first trip overseas in late 1972. A young teacher at the time, my first trip took place during the six week summer school holiday break and included a whirlwind tour of Europe, a pipe opener for hoped for holidays to come. It’s also a story about appearances.
I’ll own up now to having been a very naïve traveller, still impressed by tourist novelties (which I’ve walked past ever since) but also keen to purchase ‘something worthwhile’ to take home.
It was extremely cold and, in England and soon to tour Europe, I decided a warm coat would be my ‘something worthwhile’. I may have gone to Harrods, as my memories are of a store somewhat similar to Georges in Collins Street, Melbourne. There I fell in love with a black leather coat. Not just a black leather coat, but a Dr. Zhivagoish mid length coat with a hood and silky astrakhan wool trimming around the hood and the hem. It was beautifully made, with a quilted, cosy black satin lining, and fitted ‘like a glove’. I’m sure it made a huge dent in my budget – but I was hooked.
I’ll own up now to having been a very naïve traveller, still impressed by tourist novelties (which I’ve walked past ever since) but also keen to purchase ‘something worthwhile’ to take home.
It was extremely cold and, in England and soon to tour Europe, I decided a warm coat would be my ‘something worthwhile’. I may have gone to Harrods, as my memories are of a store somewhat similar to Georges in Collins Street, Melbourne. There I fell in love with a black leather coat. Not just a black leather coat, but a Dr. Zhivagoish mid length coat with a hood and silky astrakhan wool trimming around the hood and the hem. It was beautifully made, with a quilted, cosy black satin lining, and fitted ‘like a glove’. I’m sure it made a huge dent in my budget – but I was hooked.
My new coat did indeed keep me warm during the whirlwind tour around Europe –I wore it every day. I certainly know I wore it late one afternoon as I swept into reception of a hotel, possibly somewhere in Spain, though it may have been elsewhere in Europe – perhaps Belgium? I stopped at reception on my way to my room, when a tall, dark and handsome man with an intriguing European accent engaged me in conversation. Often in the foyer lounge when I passed through, he would always approach me and offer me a drink at the bar. One evening, he followed me into the lift. I began to feel ‘stalked’! Somehow I made it to my room unscathed. After a few such difficult encounters, I spoke to the hotel manager, who explained that the man was considered by staff to be somewhat of a jigolo and to prey on wealthy young women.
A little later, reflecting on the hotel manager’s use of the word ‘wealthy’ (which I certainly wasn’t), I remembered my rather expensive hooded, astrakhan trimmed, black leather coat purchased at Harrods! To this day I’m sure that my coat had conveyed the impression that I was wealthy.
I don’t have this wonderful black leather, astrakhan trimmed, coat any more. It was very heavy – heavy to pack when coming home; difficult to wear when driving. It was far too heavy to wear for all but a few days in a Melbourne winter; perhaps a few more days a year when I lived in Daylesford, where snow occasionally falls. I had it cut down to a shorter, jacket length; however in time it became too small and was given to the daughter of a friend who loved it. I’ve lost touch with this family, but know they love ‘retro’, recyled, costumy clothes.
I’m rather hoping that my hooded black leather coat has toured the opp shops in Melbourne over the past three decades; is still to be found in the wardrobe of someone who thinks it is just wonderful, and that very occasionally, on a bitterly cold day, it is taken out to wear!
Bev Lee
July 2017
540 words
A little later, reflecting on the hotel manager’s use of the word ‘wealthy’ (which I certainly wasn’t), I remembered my rather expensive hooded, astrakhan trimmed, black leather coat purchased at Harrods! To this day I’m sure that my coat had conveyed the impression that I was wealthy.
I don’t have this wonderful black leather, astrakhan trimmed, coat any more. It was very heavy – heavy to pack when coming home; difficult to wear when driving. It was far too heavy to wear for all but a few days in a Melbourne winter; perhaps a few more days a year when I lived in Daylesford, where snow occasionally falls. I had it cut down to a shorter, jacket length; however in time it became too small and was given to the daughter of a friend who loved it. I’ve lost touch with this family, but know they love ‘retro’, recyled, costumy clothes.
I’m rather hoping that my hooded black leather coat has toured the opp shops in Melbourne over the past three decades; is still to be found in the wardrobe of someone who thinks it is just wonderful, and that very occasionally, on a bitterly cold day, it is taken out to wear!
Bev Lee
July 2017
540 words
