Fashion

THE CLOTHING STALKER, PART DEUX

by Ilonka Leenheer

First the good news. I HAVE THE JACKET. Remember my months-long desire for the IRO jacket? Now I felt that after writing my well-thought-out piece about my stalking behavior, I finally deserved it, I really believe in reward, so I went to one of the Dutch online stores where it was available, because I also believe in shopping locally.

Now comes the bad news: it happened to me again that two days after ordering I received an email: ‘Sorry, we don't have it after all, here is your money back.’ And at store 3 it happened to me again. I don't do naming & shaming, times are tough enough for everyone – those who fit the shoe (or the jacket, in this case) should wear it. But guys really, if you have an online store, keep things in order! What is this amateurish nonsense? And then complain that people shop across borders, yeah, can you blame them? If it takes you too much time to maintain a website, just don't do it. Because now you have lost a customer in me.

And now it is hanging in my closet shining.

I just had to get that off my chest. On to happier things: The Jacket. Somewhere in France, there turned out to be one hanging, at the back of a warehouse, and now it is hanging“in my closet shining. And it is even nicer than I remembered. The right French je-ne-sais-quoi-but-I-am-really-cool. A frayed boucle. A sharp shoulder. A jacket that upgrades a simple white T-shirt and jeans to an Emmanuelle Alt-worthy outfit. Or Caroline de Maigret, I don't mind one Parisienne more or less.

The only downside: I can't wear it yet. Because nice weather. Dammit! Well, this downside also has its advantage: when the weather is bad again, I'll be happy because then I can wear my jacket. And knowing myself, I won't be able to get out of it for the first weeks (months?), so friends and colleagues: get used to this view.

In case you are now seething with jealousy (I can imagine): this jacket will be back in the IRO collection next spring, so everyone will have a chance again.