The Coat Project

Honouring previous generations of family through their fabulous vintage clothing

- Sharlene Stanley

Last summer, my cousin’s wife, Laura Stanley, sorted through items that belonged to our paternal grandmother, Clara Stanley. Knowing that I collected vintage clothing, especially clothing with a personal connection, Laura offered a box of Grandma’s clothes to me.

The box contained two dresses and two coats circa late 1940, early 1950. The coats were long dress-coats—one winter and one summer overcoat. As soon as I saw the green wool winter coat with the fur collar, I knew I wanted to have photos taken of me wearing it. It fit perfectly!