January 9th, 2008
Coats come in a wide range of different cuts and silhouettes and there are many different things to consider if you want to make the purchase a good investment. You’re after a strong shoulder line, a skimming silhouette and the correct sleeve and hem length in order for coats to look their best. Here are some simple rules to apply:
- Layer properly. You need to comfortably wear two layers underneath a dressy coat (a camisole or shirt, and a fine piece of knitwear). If this is not the case, go up a size or try another style. Casual parkas are usually a little roomier and allow for thicker knits and more layers.
- Ensure that you can move freely. You’ll need to drive, reach out and lift in your coat. This is achievable when a coat is too big, but you’ll have lost your shoulder line and skimming fit. Make sure that your coat is tailored and comfortable at the same time.
- Choose the length that works best for your height. Petites look best in coats that are on the knee or shorter, while taller girls can pull off most lengths. I’ve found coats that finish at the knee best because they work perfectly with dresses, skirts and pants.
- Sleeves should clear the top part of your gloves. Long sleeves are too short if they finish on your wrist. Bracelet length sleeves finish just above the wrist while three-quarter sleeved coats should finish halfway between your wrist and elbow.
Whether it’s quilted, furry, woolen or sporty, a coat needs to drape well and create a flattering, unbroken vertical line. Finding a coat that fits well is challenging and there are unfortunately no shortcuts. You’ll need to try many to begin with, get to a shortlist of candidates and then make a careful final decision.
Fab fitting coats from Nordstrom.
This entry is filed under What to Wear, Winter 2007/2008.
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9 Replies
Posted on Wednesday, January 9th, 2008 at 8:32 am
I enjoyed today’s post on “The golden rules of fitting a coat”, but I have a further question: what is the best type of coat to wear with suits?
I have invested in a wardrobe of business wear – as part of my job, I do professional speaking – and I find myself in a quandary during the winter months. I am often in a skirt suit with a fitted jacket, but then need an outerwear coat as well… something that I can wear over the suit jacket, that won’t crush it, that will wear well, but that will keep me warm.
I’m on the road a lot in January, February, and March, traveling to extremely cold locations, doing a lot of speaking… and I’m stumped as to what to do for the coat. Help!
Posted on January 9th, 2008 at 10:09 am
Do you ever think it’s good to be able to fit a suit under a coat? Perhaps only a trench. I confess I bought my winter coat big enough that I can fit almost anything under it. 
Posted on January 9th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Every coat I have ever owned droops a bit in the shoulder area. Even petite sizes do this. I think it’s because my shoulders slope down more than average. When I asked if my red toggle coat fit, everyone seemed to agree it did, so hopefully it’s just me that notices.
Posted on January 9th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Wearing a coat over a suit or lightweight jacket can work.
You’ll need a knee length cashmere or wool coat that’s roomy and tailored to fit and look slimming over suits. Make sure that the length of the coat is the same as your skirts and dresses. Go for something A-line or trapeze as opposed to belted so that your suit does not scrunch up underneath the coat.
Posted on January 9th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
You’ve shed light on a really important topic. All one needs is a great coat to look good during the winter, and yet i see so many people wearing the wrong size or silhouette…I know I have! I think part of it is that once I invest in a nice coat, then realize later it’s not the perfect fit, I continue to wear it anyways on account of the cost…
Posted on January 10th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
[...] golden rules of fitting a coat From You Look Fab: the correct length, fitting around the layers and getting the silhouette [...]
Posted on January 12th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
Thanks – a really useful guide. A really great fitting coat is key to looking great in the winter (and a lovely pair of boots)
Posted on January 14th, 2008 at 3:30 am
I really need to go coat shopping. In my collection of coats and jackets, I have 3 coats. The first is a short brown coat. It looks nice but is not warm enough for me when real winter hits here. I have a black trench coat with a lining that buttons in and out. It’s great for transitional weather. Then I have an ugly black wool coat that I’ve had since early high school. It goes with everything, but that’s about all I can say for it. The silhouette is unflattering, the hood is too big, the sleeves are too big and let cold air in, the waist tie is missing (letting in more cold air), and the top button has popped off and disappeared. But I still keep the thing because it’s otherwise in good shape, and it cost so much.
Posted on January 17th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
[...] I refer you to Angie, a stylist by trade and someone who is much more familiar with the cold. In this article she’ll tell you the rules of fitting a coat properly. So I went over to Nordstrom to check [...]
Posted on January 20th, 2009 at 12:25 am
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