Score Your Own Custom Jacket From The Coatmaker To The Middletons

Everywhere we turn, it feels like a new boutique has opened up its doors to men looking for a customized experience, while women are stuck owning the ready-to-wear. Sure, it's not the worst quandary to have, but we also want the experience to create our own timeless garment, even if it means shelling out a little more. And as our mothers taught us — there is no item more splurge-worthy than a gorgeous, toasty, and well-made coat.

Katherine Hooker agrees, and the British designer has made a name for herself by offering exquisite jackets, blazers, and peacoats made-to-order. "I thought, why not do only a few things, but do them really well," she tells us inside her temporary pop-up shop in Soho. Her idea is blissfully simple: take a gorgeous silhouette and let the customer decide what they want to do with it. Add lapels, buttons, pops of color, choose the fabric (which range from England-made wools to cashmeres), then dress it up with leather detailing or mod it out with velvet. The result is a totally unique, but still very timeless, coat that is made to be passed between generations. In fact, that's exactly what Kate and Pippa Middleton do with Hooker's coat: Kate is such a fan that she's gotten Pippa hooked on the "Contrast" style. "You can do anything with it," Katherine says. "Add velvet for a vintage feel, or go a little more edgy with colored leather."

Katherine herself has set up shop on Thompson Street, so head on in and get fitted for your very own Middleton coat (but add some red! Or leather!). If The Duchess of Cambridge's posh style isn't your own, Katherine has also debuted a totally adorable and feminine take on the baseball jacket. Take a peek at some of her lovely ready-to-wear coats, though we are keen on the custom cape. But hurry; the pop-up shop is only open til Saturday, and then she heads back to her motherland! Katherine Hooker Pop-Up Shop, 98 Thompson Street (between Prince and Spring Streets). Friday 'til 7 p.m., Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; No number.