LF, have you tried the RealReal? I recall that in the past, while browsing it for something else, I saw a lot of nice, new or almost new wool and even fur/shearling coats. Do a search for navy coat (with tags) and see if you like any that you find. There is always a code for 20% off at the top of the page, so the price will be 80% of what you see.
Beautiful coat, LF and I bet you would wear it for many, many years. Maybe worth the high price tag.
LF, How about this one - http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/andrew-marc-wool-blend-boucle-long-coat-online-only/4028638?origin=category-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=&resultback=8432
@abasket Here is the sweater.
I ordered another one, in the raspberry/hot pink color, so now I have four. I really can’t tell you what a great summer sweater this is.
I have “met” that sweater in person at Nordstrom! It is luxuriously soft! If there was one with a V-neck, I’d get it. Can’t wear round necklines with my rolly-Polly head. 
LF, that Caroline Issa coat is amazing. And the price… Out of this world. 
Here’s a JCrew option, available in navy. Not as gorgeous as the pricy one above.
Thank you!!!
Looking for navy coats… Max Mara always has a few among their multiple brands. Here is one:
Question for my style team: Is it acceptable to wear a pearl necklace with earrings that aren’t pearls? Say, CZ studs?
Yup. Just wearing the pearls is the statement. As far as I’m concerned, that is. And I like CZ, even rhinestones or crystals- can you believe it? I have a few of my grandmother’s old brooches, crystal type earrings.
I think we fuss about guidelines more than others look at us, to see if we met them.
All those navy coats are great, but I need to keep looking. Thx.
OK good, thanks LF. Because here’s how deeply unstylish I’ve been for the past few decades or so: My ear piercings have grown over. So I want to get re-pierced, but I want to wear both my strand of pearls and my gem necklaces during the healing period. Clear CZ it is.
I’ve heard that it’s NOT stylish to have your jewelry “matcha matchy” any longer. If you have “sets” of jewelry, it’s not a good idea to where them together. Don’t know if it’s true or not.
I think pearls and diamonds or CZ is a great look.
We haven’t talked much about J Crew here. They sometimes have amazing sales, and their cashmere sweaters are very nice. Some of their stuff is too young looking for me, but they do have some very nice classic things also.
JCrew has fantastic pencil skirts and pants, IMO. And some of their blazers are quite nice.
BTW, I have a boatload of diamonds on my left ring finger, but I wear little glass facets in my ears. No one knows that they’re not real. :-SS
“Question for my style team: Is it acceptable to wear a pearl necklace with earrings that aren’t pearls? Say, CZ studs?”
Absolutely. Pearl necklace and pearl earrings can look a little matchy matchy.
LasMa, that’s how I always wear my pearl strand - paired with my teeny-tiny diamond studs in Pt. In fact, those Pt studs never come out of my ears, so if I ever wear a necklace, it is always paired with them.
OK I am re-pierced! 5mm round CZs in white gold.
One more question for my formal event. Hosiery. I know that for some time, it was not the done thing at all. Is it ok now?
It depends! If it is a super fancy chichi event held indoors, and the shoes are closed-toe, I would wear pantyhose that looks like there is none. Wolford makes pricey yet amazingly sturdy hose that blends with your skin and feels luxuriously silky:
I wore my pair several times without a single snag. Per wear, it is cheaper than other brands, and it is NOT control-top!
Otherwise, if it is an outdoors, hot, and summery event, I would shave my legs and hope no one pays attention to how wrinkly my knees are.
Bottom line: do whatever makes you feel good.
^ BB- what shade of the Wolford hose do you recommend (fair/medium skin tone). It’s hard to tell from the website. Also, are they only available on line or do any US stores carry them?
Thanks!