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I am looking for the name (or even just pictures of) a certain kind of women's coat with origins in the 19th century frock/walking coat.
It is based loosely on men's frock or walking coats, but tailored for a female silhouette, more or less. The basics: fitted top, usually single-breasted, small buttons down to the waist, and small or no lapels or even a stand-up collar; wide, flared knee-length or lower skirt with a straight (not angled) front center split. No outside pockets. It "wears" a bit like a fitted shirt and a skirt and is typically worn over pants. (Note: this is not actually a frock coat, as it has princess seaming instead of back seams, small lapels or no lapels, and is not open in the front. Also, men's frocks tend to be oddly less fitted in the waist and less flared at the hips; can't imagine why. And women's frock coats are usually large-lapelled and double-breasted or have buttons down past the waist. So: not quite the same.) Sometimes one sees them in the 19th-century-Orientalist mode, with a high collar, frogs instead of buttons, and embroidery up along side the center split.
I associate this look oddly with Judy Davis as George Sand in Impromptu, but I can't find any pictures of same to work out if that's a valid association. Also, with women doing sort of crossdressing with top hats and canes. This might make it a riding coat, except that women's riding coats usually have an overlapping skirt without the straight center split, and also are usually have only eight or so inches of skirt. Also, riding coats aren't worn much these days.
So I don't know. What the hell is this coat called, and how can I buy one? Every time I see someone wearing one, I say "oooh!" and want it desperately. Especially the ones in, like, dip-dyed silk. That is so going to be my job search coat.
Next time I see one, I swear, I'm grabbing the woman's arm until I can see the label. It will endear me deeply to the fashion-conscious crowd.
It is based loosely on men's frock or walking coats, but tailored for a female silhouette, more or less. The basics: fitted top, usually single-breasted, small buttons down to the waist, and small or no lapels or even a stand-up collar; wide, flared knee-length or lower skirt with a straight (not angled) front center split. No outside pockets. It "wears" a bit like a fitted shirt and a skirt and is typically worn over pants. (Note: this is not actually a frock coat, as it has princess seaming instead of back seams, small lapels or no lapels, and is not open in the front. Also, men's frocks tend to be oddly less fitted in the waist and less flared at the hips; can't imagine why. And women's frock coats are usually large-lapelled and double-breasted or have buttons down past the waist. So: not quite the same.) Sometimes one sees them in the 19th-century-Orientalist mode, with a high collar, frogs instead of buttons, and embroidery up along side the center split.
I associate this look oddly with Judy Davis as George Sand in Impromptu, but I can't find any pictures of same to work out if that's a valid association. Also, with women doing sort of crossdressing with top hats and canes. This might make it a riding coat, except that women's riding coats usually have an overlapping skirt without the straight center split, and also are usually have only eight or so inches of skirt. Also, riding coats aren't worn much these days.
So I don't know. What the hell is this coat called, and how can I buy one? Every time I see someone wearing one, I say "oooh!" and want it desperately. Especially the ones in, like, dip-dyed silk. That is so going to be my job search coat.
Next time I see one, I swear, I'm grabbing the woman's arm until I can see the label. It will endear me deeply to the fashion-conscious crowd.
