First things first … I acknowledge that the 1944 holiday classic “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” is totally creepy.  What, with lyrics like:

I ought to say no, no, no – Mind if I move in closer?
At least I’m gonna say that I tried – What’s the sense in hurting my pride?
I really can’t stay – Baby don’t hold out
Ah, but it’s cold outside

how can anyone raised in the “no means no” era not feel just a little uncomfortable?  Perhaps Key & Peele summed up the whole vibe best (and also turned the tables) in their parody “Just Stay for the Night” (which is worth a watch at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qc_F0zP9usU).

Regardless of my feminist objections to the song, I’ll still throw out that line whenever I head back inside to grab a coat before I leave the house.  And it’s definitely coat weather!  Which also means that tomorrow, coats will be on prominent display as hundreds of thousands of people descend on Washington D.C. for Inauguration Day 2017 (or the associated marches).

I have to say, the coat parade has already started out promising.  Both Melania and Ivanka Trump pulled out all the stops in the coats they wore to the wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.  I was green with envy over Ivanka’s Oscar de la Renta dress and matching coat, and Melania’s military-inspired coat by Norisol Ferrari, a New York designer and daughter of a wounded veteran, was perfect for the occasion:

I think a really unique, timeless and amazing coat is one of the best investment pieces you can have (although I didn’t really appreciate this until I started traveling to New York a lot more).  I had been on the look-out for a new coat for the better part of two years before I happened on this Narciso Rodriguez trench coat on Gilt (http://www.gilt.com).  It’s made of cow hair, which gives it texture and shine, and is a rich wine color that’s a great alternative to traditional black but still goes with almost everything.  I also love the slim fit with the belt, which offers shape even over a few layers of clothes.

And if you have a fabulous coat, there’s no reason to stay inside.  Get out there and show it off!