I had every intention of easing us all gently into the fall season, but this week in the shop there were so many awesome coats and boots that I have to do a post just about coats and boots! I take coats very seriously; in Edmonton it is the item of clothing you will be wearing for at least 6 months, and it is also your most visible. Sometimes we don't even take our coats off when we are inside (like when we go to a shopping centre, or have to sit in a chilly meeting room), so no one gets to see the awesome outfit underneath! More than just the opening number, sometimes your coat and boots are called up to be the star of the show!

I honed in on these purple boots when I came into the shop and then nearly peed my pants when I saw they were El Naturalista's! I love a quality brand with transparent ecological policies like El Naturalista, but more than that I was super excited because El Naturalista is the brand of footwear for the fashion savvy in Saskatoon. (My dear friend Laura lives in Saskatoon and she talks about El Naturalista's all the time!). I like to keep up with the trends of our prairie neighbours too!

The colours of the plaid on this Tristan wool swing coat really make it stand out. The tie at the neck is a great little feminine detail too.

This coat even includes a traditional gun-flap on the right shoulder! Gun flaps were added to trench coats in WWII to protect against the extra wear and tear on the right shoulder from firing rifles.

Toggle coats were originally known as "Duffel coats" and named after a region in Belgium! (It's just all about me here, friends!). This stunning royal blue Benetton wool coat also has many traditional duffel coat features such as a roomy hood, toggles and large patch pockets on the front....

...and some modern updates like the sleek silhouette, button details at neck, and a zipper (an excellent modern upgrade!)!

I never expected to see a pair of Poppy Barley boots in the shop, but here they are! Poppy Barley is not just a local "shoe store"....the footwear you buy from them is custom made to your specifications! You can visit them in person in Edmonton or Calgary to get your measurements taken (or do it on-line), and then your personalised boots (or shoes) are ethically manufactured with the utmost care in Mexico. When my friend Danielle got a pair she was able to make specialised requests to customise her boots, such as adding a larger gap around the top of the boot (and then I knit boot-toppers for her that fit inside and peek out! Really, friends, it's all about me!).

This coat looks like a cape, but there are actual sleeves in there so it will keep you good and warm! And the pockets are surprisingly roomy!

I just love this goergeous cropped-sleeve coat. I love the modern shape, the covered botton-band, the high collar...all of it!

It's fancy without being too dressy!

These rugged boots from long-standing Montreal-based Pajar look brand new to me, and they are not messing around! These ones are called "Alice" and will hold out to -30...plus look at the cute tweed detailing on around the cuff!

I love the contrasting blue piping on this Anthropologie coat! It's so funky and makes such a bold statement!

Like the others, this one is also wool.

Oh, just a moose scarf!

This Vero Moda moto jacket has hidden stretchy panels in the arms and at the waist.

I like it open and zipped up!

These great Cole Haans are from the men's section:

Remember when I said I love clothes that look like they are from the future? This teddy coat from Aritzia is definitely from the future!

I tried this on, and at first I was like "Am I wearing this wrong?".....but it totally grows on you!

So after I (finally!) finished freaking out about the El Naturalistas and the Poppy Barley boots, I noticed these humble Campers waiting their turn!

This elegant Banana Republic tweed jacket is made of wool AND silk!

I wish they would invent pictures that you can smell, friends, because these Steve Madden boots smelled....but in a good way! They have that amazing leather smell! You know that smell; it's the smell of confidence and Wonder Woman's Lasso of Truth!

Another fabulous Banana Republic wool coat:

This quilted Wilfred jacket is lighter and perfect for that transitional weather we get here before the cold blast.

We still have lots of summer stock in the shop, friends! I was just blown away by the coats and boots this week. And don't forget that as friends of the blog you get 10% off your purchase until the end of the month, just give the secret password "mermaid" (that made more sense with last week's post!) when you are at the counter.