While the right coat can increase your style quotient; the wrong one can do precisely the opposite. We need to be mindful of what works best for our body types.

Here are a few guidelines:

• Belted styles with soft self fabric ties are the best option for curvier figures. They enhance your shape and give you plenty of definition – both tied and untied. Single breasted styles are best for ladies with ample bosom, while double breasted styles are super for the less endowed.
• Trapeze styles are best on tall women. Petites tend to disappear in all that volume. Above the knee, more subtle A-line versions of this style are a better choice for shorter ladies.
• Classic single breasted princess seam coats are the ideal choice for well-endowed ladies. Avoid high buttoning double breasted styles and visible waist seams at all costs. A V-neck revere collar style with princess seams (seams that run from bust point to hem) will give you extra definition. Keeping your coat unbuttoned will accentuate that long lean line that you are looking for. This style is also another excellent option for curvier ladies.
• A-line Empire styles are perfect for pretty pear shapes. Large collars, puffed sleeves, double breasted styles, asymmetrical buttoning and oversized buttons are fun details to have on the top half of this type of coat.
• High buttoning, double breasted military styles are perfect for slight, less well-endowed women. Short pea coat styles or longer versions with cinched in belts will give you the shape that you are looking for.

While coat styles and body types may differ – there is one rule that always applies: keep your coat fitted snugly on the shoulders. This will automatically give you the tailoring and structure that you need for your most flattering look.

A belted style from Nordstrom. Classic single breasted and a-line asymmetrical styles from Macy’s. These styles happen to be maxi in length, which are not suited to petite heights of 5”3’ and below. Petites look best in coats that are no longer then knee length.

Coats are my favourite item of clothing. Whether it’s smart or casual, the correct coat never fails to make you look poised, elegant and sophisticated. A well-chosen coat can pull together almost any ensemble. A fabulous coat will kick your outfit up a few notches. As with boots, the assortment of coat styles available is growing each season. Many of the styles are timeless and with some savvy decisions you’ll be able to wear your coats season after season.

Coats can be divided into various categories:

• Trapeze – this unstructured A-line retro ‘50’s style coat is the look-of-the-season. Its voluminous character is spot on with the hottest trends. Its three quarter sleeve lengths might be off putting if you tend to get cold easily, but wearing the style with long gloves is a good solution.
• Trench – a classic single or double breasted belted style that Burberry made famous almost a century ago. It‘s usually best in some sort of water resistant fabric and always looks chic no matter what you wear it with.
• Double breasted – this military-inspired, structured style is sharp, crisp and immaculately tailored. Good at both above and below the knee, it’s another great option to capture this season’s fashion moment.
• Belted – coats that cinch in, tie differently at the waist. Self fabric ties are most popular, but actual structured belts are a more updated version. This versatile style is notorious for hiding a multitude of sins.
• Asymmetrical – these are coats at any length and style that have asymmetrical button stands. They are eye catching, interesting and especially effective when extremely tailored.   
• Toggle – these styles might remind you of your childhood but are just as stylish for you today if you are after something more playful. Toggle coats have toggle buttons and some sort of hood (usually detachable). They are most fun in a bright colour.
• Classic – the single breasted revere collar knee-length coat is the ultimate timeless option. This style suits all body types and is most flattering with princess seams (seams that run down from bust point to hem). A detachable fake fur collar and maxi length will add an unexpected level of old movie star glamour to this style.
• Evening – these coats are made of evening wear fabrics like brocade, velvet or silk blends. Embroidery is also common. Evening coats resemble dresses when buttoned up which is particularly useful for the party season.
• Empire line – coats with empire lines also give us that retro feeling. They are immensely feminine and neat as a pin.
• Cape – this dramatic high fashion statement is not for everyone – Dracula and Sherlock Holmes spring to mind.  Their unstructured quality can be unflattering.  If you have your heart set on one – consider a cropped version so that the rest of your shape shines through. 
• Parka – these coats are fabulous! A form fitting parka is the perfect answer to ultra casual dressing. Your wardrobe is not complete without one.
• Shearling and Fur – make sure that the fur is faux. These toasty Nordic inspired styles are super for casual weekend attire and the après ski setting.

There is an abundant array of coat styles to choose from this season – take your pick. With black and grey as the fashion colours, you might battle to get your colour of choice. Be mindful of the type of coat that is best suited to your height and body type (a topic that I will cover tomorrow). In the meantime – wrap up with style!

Belted (princess seams)                 Toggle                 Classic (princess seams)

  Empire Style                    Cropped Cape                 Structured Parka

Coats from Bebe, Banana Republic, Nordstrom, French Connection, Bloomingdales and Old Navy.

I recently attended another bra seminar hosted by Chantelle (the words’ largest manufacturer of French lingerie). The information that their company provides is excellent and I’d like to share some of the highlights:

• Each bra can have up to 40 different parts to assemble. 
• Eight out of ten women worldwide are wearing the wrong bra size.
• Women generally make the mistake of going too wide on the band width; and too small on the cup size.
• The back of your bra offers 60-70% of the support, which is why it needs to fit snuggly.
• Cup sizes are not created equally. For example, the cup size on a 32C is much smaller then the cup size on a 38C.
• Bra sizes are not standardized across various brands. You might need to try on 10 styles before you hit one that’s perfect for you.
• Bras should not be worn more then 2 days in a row or twice between washings. The elastic needs to recover in order to continue providing good support and this can only happen after it’s been washed and left to rest.

It’s imperative to wear a well fitting bra. It will improve the look of your clothes and will allow you to feel comfortable and confident all day. Chantelle services women from sizes A to H, but tends to run smaller than American brands like Wacoal and Maidenform. If you haven’t done so already, I strongly recommend that you try a Chantelle bra – you might become as loyal to the brand as I have.

Find Chantelle bras in department stores like Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales and Nordstrom.

In the spirit of today being Thanksgiving day in the United States, I am thankful that…

• we can be stylish without dressing up
• its more about what we buy than where we shop
• bootcut pants/jeans are still a good option
• we can be stylish without adopting cutting edge fashion trends
• we don’t need to match our bags with our shoes
• flat shoes can be elegant
• tunic tops are back
• black is a fashion colour again
• gold is just as popular as silver
• we can tailor our clothes
• style is beyond size

Happy Thanksgiving!