I’ve never understood clutch coats. They are meant to be open at the neck, and sometimes you even have to hold them closed with your hand if no other fastener is provided. But don’t you get cold around the neck, undermining the purpose of a coat altogether? This one might be fastened somewhere around the hips, but it still leaves her throat and a good bit of her chest exposed. Fashion—who can explain it?
Given the cut of the coat and the shape of the hat, this picture most likely was taken in the first half of the 1920s. Skirt lengths rose and fell during the decade, reaching their longest in 1923. Even so, the coat is quite long. Perhaps this older woman did not want to expose much of her ankles. And here’s another puzzle–the trim is fur and heavy looking, while the main material appears somewhat flimsy.
Given the leafy trees and thriving lawn, it certainly doesn’t look very cold out. Perhaps she is giving the coat a test run before the winter.
The tree looks like a peppercorn tree (Schinus). They are evergreen and only grow in warm places, so this photo may have been taken in winter in her part of the world.
Yes, I wondered if it might be in Southern California, where I live. But even here, I don’t think that coat looks practical.
The elongated diagonal line is not flattering!