The Alain Delon Coat

I was in my mid twenties, which is a bit of sweet spot for these things, as you've enough money and independence to make them happen, and not enough self awareness to make you not. You are more impressionable than is perhaps wise.

What it was, I bought a 3/4 length raincoat from Yves St. Laurent  Saved up for months from my job at the video rental place. Forwent a few pints. A few weeks of beans on toast  I really wanted that coat. I'd watched Alain Delon in Le Samourai. For my suns, I bought a Fedora, too.

What do clothes do to us? They take us out of.ourselves. We become different versions of ourselves. I had enough of a grip on myself not to try to become someone else altogether, but in my coat I was older, suaver, seen more, done more.

At least until a Ford Escort deliberately drive through a puddle, drenching me, and a lad leaned out and shouted "Oi. Inspector Gadget! WAAANKEEERRR". It was hard to maintain the self deception after that.

I've still got the coat, though.