The Coat Route: Craft, Luxury, & Obsession on the Trail of a $50,000 Coat
“A spirited tour of fashion history . . .The Coat Routecompels us to remember that behind every garment is a deep history and a pair of human hands—whether those hands stitched the dress’s hem or pulled a lever that stringed together that $30 must-have jacket.”—The Wall Street Journal “Delightful . . .The Coat Routecelebrates those who work with their hands, creating something beautiful and lasting.”—The Seattle Times “[Meg Lukens Noonan’s] exploration of the business of fashion is fascinating and thorough, and her examination of bespoke goods redefines the words luxury and obsession.”—The Daily Beast “Traditions of bespoke tailoring (and other related crafts) are skirting the edge of extinction. Noonan’s delightful story makes us hope they endure.”—Publishers Weekly “Lush writing and eagle-eyed reportage uncloak the insular world of bespoke fashion. . . . Globe-trekking travel writer Noonan is well-equipped to bridge the chasm and bring back a narrative every bit as finely rendered as the title's subject. Outfitted with an infectious curiosity and enviable eye for detail, the seasoned correspondent executes a sartorial odyssey that spans a remarkable portion of the planet. The fantastic journey is both fast-paced and rich.”—Kirkus Reviews“A fabulous story, brilliantly told . . . I couldn’t have enjoyed it more.”—Bill Bryson “As captivating as any mystery or thriller,The Coat Routedemystifies the rarefied universe of bespoke tailoring and provides a lens into the culture that covets it. It educates and inspires. I couldn’t put it down!”—Tim Gunn “If there’s anything as unlikely—or as unnecessary—as a $50,000 overcoat, I’m not aware of it. But if there’s anything more interesting than a book about the worldwide network of vicuña ranchers, button makers, silkworm breeders, gold engravers, pattern weavers, and master tailors who make such a coat possible, I hope someone as talented and as companionable as Meg Lukens Noonan writes it. For me,The Coat Routewas a delightful journey.”—Daniel Okrent “An informative joy from start to finish.”—Richard Anderson, author ofBespoke: Savile Row Ripped and Smoothed