This is not the how-to you’ve been waiting for? That’s too bad, as it’s the only wisdom I feel capable of imparting at the moment. I am endlessly fascinated by spies and dream about becoming one pretty much on a weekly basis. Unfortunately, I’m exceptionally badly suited for being a real-life spy, as I understand it involves blending in and keeping one’s mouth shut. So I focus on dressing like an imaginary spy instead.

Despite my love for spy-wear, I didn’t realise for the longest time that what I needed in my wardrobe was a vinyl caramel trench. How this wasn’t obvious to me is, in hindsight, a mystery. In my defense, as soon as I saw this River Island number*, I knew we were meant to be. I adore the colour and the slightly seventies vibe and it actually protects you from rain. The only downside is that this is made of completely unnatural stuff, so it doesn’t breathe. It’s pretty much like wearing wellies, but all over your body.

Although the coat is amazing, one probably needs something to pair it with. At least in most life situations. I went with a green satin slip dress (giving a nod to Michelle Pfeiffer in Scarface) and red disco heels. It’s all somewhat glossy, somewhat retro, but hopefully not too much. I really like these colours, textures and shapes together, but you can of course also team the coat with more everyday stuff. It would be a no-brainer with white and beige and brown, great with jeans, stunning with turquoise or raspberry.

Often, it’s not only what you wear or even how you wear it, but where you wear it. I like contrasts and wearing things in a surprising context. Credit for finding the perfect location for this shoot goes to my amazing photographer Krõõt. It’s a bar called Derevyashka in the outskirts of Tallinn, one of the very few seriously old school hangouts still remaining in the Estonian capital. It has become a bit of a tourist attraction for those in the know, but there aren’t yet too many of those and it still feels authentic (I hate that word, but you get the gist). Frankly, I’m pretty sure that wearing this coat in that bar was much better than being an actual spy.

Dressing as a character is a topic close to my heart and I will come back to it in a future blog post. Until then, what do you think of the look? What would you wear when spying?

*I saw it at a PR event when it wasn’t yet available in stores. So the coat you see on the pictures is not mine, but I have meanwhile ordered one for myself as well.

Coat by River Island, dress by & Other Stories, shoes by Zara. Makeup by Reet Härmat, hair by Helen Heinroos Hair, images by Krõõt Tarkmeel.