One coat, two coat, red coat, "cobalt" blue coat
Owning a great coat is a definite necessity and achieving style, warmth, and versatility are possible - you just need to know what to look for. In this issue of the "Monthly Fashion Update", I will address the current trends and of course, which styles are best for your body.
First of all, let's talk about fabric. Ideally, wool is the best all-around fabric because it holds its shape, it's durable and doesn't wrinkle easily. It's also slow to absorb moisture. However, if you're looking to find something with a little better quality, then merino wool would be a great choice. Cashmere is also a good option, but because it is so delicate, I would opt for a coat with a blend.
Now that you know how to stay warm, you still need to consider the shape and style of your coat. The most versatile and universally flattering silhouette is a three-quarter-length coat. Basically any coat that hits you above the knee, at the knee, or just below the knee is a classic style that never looks dated.
I also love this length because this is a coat that could look great with jeans, a skirt or a dress. It can easily be a casual or dressy coat when needed. A belted style is also extremely versatile and very flattering; it helps to define a waist for an hourglass and pear (which already have a small waist) and it helps create a waist for a rectangle or apple, who don't naturally have one. This coat from Nordstrom is the idea length - and in a neutral color - you could even add your own belt instead of the tie that it comes with.
Note - the length of your coat in relation to your skirt length doesn't matter. Your coat can be longer or shorter than your skirt - either or is acceptable. Usually a coat is one of the only items in your wardrobe, where you will go up a size. Of course will need to allow more room if you're looking for a coat to wear over a suit.
Another Note - stay away from anything boxy - even something like a pea-coat should have some shape and structure. And for petite women, remember that shorter coats are better, (try not to dip below the knee) because when we see more of your legs, you look taller. Ideally, no one under 5'7" should wear floor-length coats or anything below mid-calf. Stay away from that "grey area" unless you are very tall!
Aside from the shape and style of your coat, you also need to think about the color. If you normally wear a lot of neutrals, then perhaps you would be better off with a bright-colored coat - not that it has to be trendy, just something in an unexpected color that plays off your neutral wardrobe, yet still makes you look stylish and chic. The first thing that comes to mind is a red coat. A fabulous garnet red coat, (instead of a tomato red), tends to be flattering on almost all women if you're looking for something with a pop of color.
However, a coat in a basic color, such as black or camel, can be just as versatile by adding fun accessories like zebra-print gloves with a black coat, or even a fun colored scarf. Remember, brooches, scarves, bags, and hats are all possibilities to add that extra pizzazz.
There are some fun trends that have emerged this season and two of them were addressed in the last email - houndstooth and cobalt blue. The houndstooth is such a classic style, but is usually best with a simple outfit. However, I love it casually too, with just a sweater and jeans. The cobalt blue is very pretty, but very "now", yet this color looks great on so many people!
Another trend is the swing or trapeze coat. It's usually a shorter style coat and I like when a hint of your top shows beneath the line of the coat. When talking about body types, the swing coat looks best on pears and apples. It's great for pears, because it adds volume to the top half, which helps balance out the bottom. It also works for apples, because it has a sloped shoulder which works well with broad shoulders and also floats over the body without hugging too much.
Note - this coat would be best a little bit shorter (especially for pears because it hits too much at the hip, ie the widest part of the body, and you need a long neck to pull off this specific coat. However, I wanted to illustrate the shape and style of the trapeze coat.
Lastly, and most importantly, a good coat should be an investment so be sure not to scrimp on quality. Check the stitching on the cuffs, at the bottom, around the lapels and on the buttons - are the buttons reinforced with small plastic ones on the other side? Look at the lining as well - it should lie smooth and not gap when you wear it. You have every right to be picky as this is the first thing people will see and remember, it only takes 7 seconds to form that first impression!