Hola Gondola

A printed stripe makes an unexpected cameo in this cheery spin-off of the classic peacoat and hello, no one will miss you if you wear it.

It's for you, my dear friends in blogland

why I'm wearing the Gondola stripe coat.

And doing the IRL tryout of the store image captured by jcrewismyfavstore.

The café capri in foulard colors don't seem to photograph well with the coat but here's a close-up look at them together:

In case you're wondering, I'm 5'2" wearing size 00.

Here's a shot with the coat worn buttoned:

And here I'm showing you just how wrinkled my shirt is:

The description continues with (my commentary in parentheses):

We started with a luxe wool crepe (it's most similar to J.Crew's wool crepe suiting for weight and texture) sourced from a Japanese mill, then printed over it in our exclusive nautical stripe—a rare technique that requires special craftsmanship to pull off (so the stripes are printed, not woven, not sure what that gets you except it's another point for its distinction?).

With cropped sleeves (you can see they are cropped even on my

petite height) and a classic nautical feel (yep, navy blue, red and white stripes), it's the perfect piece to pull you out of a wardrobe rut (it's obviously not a run-of-the-mill coat). Standing collar (what?! it is not). Flap pockets.

Functional buttons at cuffs. (Single vent in the back.)

Lined (fabric and lining composition below).

Hits at midthigh (not on petites). Part of J.Crew Collection

(see white, not black, Collection label pictured below,

along with the chain for hanging the coat). Import. Dry clean.

I'm not sure why I'm not in love with it. Maybe it's because I prefer single-breasted coats. Maybe it's because it doesn't have the tie-silk inside pocket, grosgrain ribbon lining waistband and unexpected fun print lining of yore.

It does have some nice buttons:

Or maybe I need to see it with more outfits ...

so come back to see these this week.

Does anyone else wonder why this coat is named Gondola stripe?

I could not find a clear connection. The traditional Venetian rowing boat used to be many colors but due to a law meant to restrain luxury or extravagance, they are now painted black. Pictures of them are often accented with bright blue and the red of the gondolier's kerchief, hatband and sash. Maybe the stripes are reminiscent of the boats lined up when docked. Or maybe it's a nod to the original "venetian blinds" -- the louvered shutters for closing windows of the cabins often on gondolas until the early 20th century.

Or maybe it's just a random name.

Whatever. It caused me to tell you something you didn't know before,

most likely. And maybe that will be the answer to some

million-dollar question someday.

Unlikely.