I Don't Need Another Coat. I Don't Need Another Coat. I Don't Need Another Coat.

One day last week when I was killing time before my shift at the Customer Service desk I stopped in at an outdoor store close to the mall.  The weather had been frigid and the sun hadn't been out for more than a week, so my first stop was the women's clothing department, where the spring weight fabrics and colors provided a welcome change to the things I've been seeing in my closet since before the holidays.  However, I knew it would be at least a month until I'd be able to wear any of those clothes, so I reluctantly left them on the shelves.

I meandered through the store, looking at things in the Hiking, Shoe, and Cycling departments that reminded me of the new season to come.  After I'd killed enough time I made my way towards the exit. Just to the right of the front door were some clearance racks that held a selection of winter gear. Even though I don't need anything, I stopped just to see what the sales were like.  As I got closer, I heard a bright ruby red jacket hanging at the front of the rack calling to me. It was quilted with curved horizontal lines, and the price tag said it was half price.

I kept telling myself I didn't need it, but I tried it on and was immediately impressed with how comfortable it was.  It was warm, but very lightweight. When I looked at the tag I discovered the jacket was designed to be a midlayer as part of a technical layering system for strenuous exertion.  I don't do a whole lot of strenuous winter exertion, and certainly didn't need a jacket for it.

But the jacket was red, and I hadn't seen the sun for almost a week.

I continued to read the label, and discoved the jacket weighed less than a pound, was wind and water resistant, and had two nice large pockets and hemcords to draw it in at the bottm.  The insulation was compressible, and it could be washed and dried at home.  It had a "lifetime warrenty".

But I already have a closet full of coats.  I didn't need another one.  I took the jacket off, hung it back on the hanger, and walked away.

I almost got to the door before I figured out that thanks to my middle aged heat fluctuations I'm often trying to shed my heavy coat while I'm driving.  If I bought a lighter weight one I wouldn't get overheated as easily; I'd certainly be a safer driver if I wasn't trying to remove my arms from the sleeves at highway speeds.  The jacket's warrenty meant I could wear it for many years.  And did I mention it was half price?

Take a look at my new jacket:

Five years ago today: New Thing #55--My Peeps