From London via Milan.

A lot of good things came out of the euphoria that followed World War I.

Rising hemlines.

Claudette Colbert.

The Tango.

And, of course, the trench coat.

In 1918, Harper's Bazaar declared that it was perfectly proper for a woman to wear a trench coat.

Years passed, but the garment still hadn't reached its final state. Until now, that is.

The Short Italian Trench Coat (No. 2463). Found in a little shop in Milan. Classic trench- coat styling, but with an Italian twist. Hemmed at the hip instead of the calves. An ingenious innovation.

Otherwise, they kept the button-down epaulets, belt and grommets, and adjustable button sleeve tabs. The double-breasted front closure features 8 real horn buttons in all (four functional and four decorative), and two front flap pockets with inverted pleats.

I like it.

Hope you will, too.

Women's Sizes: 2 through 16. Imported.

Color: Light Taupe.

Paisley Women's Scarf (No. 2519). No one's quite sure where paisley came from.

Some believe it's a Zoroastrian symbol of life or eternity.

Others think it's a pattern developed during the Qajar Dynasty.

The French call it boteh, or palme.

To the Scottish, it's simply the name of the town that turned out so much of it.

Regardless, I think you'll agree it's the perfect accessory to whatever you're wearing (A woman I know wears it with the Short Italian Trench Coat, but that's totally up to you). Discovered by one of my agents in the Kumar Gallery in the Sundar Nagar Market. A delicate blend of hand-woven wool and silk that can only be found in that part of the world.

Like you, a one of a kind find.

Dimensions: 27" wide by 70" long. Imported.

Color: Beige scarf with green, chocolate and red print.