Ask Angie: and all, more trench pics vs waist surrender

The trench coat saga continues...
Original post here:
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ats-yet-kr
Here are some more pictures of the Talbots red trench coat. My husband was very patient to help me!
It is definitely true that I don't have the perfect body for a trench coat. I'm really busty and thick through the torso and don't have much of a waist. I rarely belt anything for that reason. So maybe a belted trench coat is a bad idea.

I think this one fits about as well as is possible on my body, so the question is, is this just a bad style for me? I would wear it open the vast majority of the time, but I need to be able to wear it closed when it's cold or windy.

For comparison's sake, here is another coat that I've had for a couple of years that my husband loves on me and vastly prefers to the red one. It's a really pretty bronzy-brown color mixture on a textured fabric. It just zips up the front. I think it fits me correctly, but it is a sacky, waist-surrendering style. Is it better on me than the red one?

Or of course a final option is that neither is good, and I should go back to the drawing board.

Help! I'm confused!
Marcy

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14 years ago

Meredith1953

Veteran

I think you look great in the red trench! That being said, I know that I feel a little busty and short waisted so I don't love a belted trench on me. If you are concerned about the double-breasted-belted part there are some great coats that are sort of like a "duster" single button and slightly a-line that you might want to try also. The red color is wonderful on you. By the way that is a really pretty scarf in the last shot.

rae

(website)

I still love the fit of the red trench. Maybe I'm just used to short torsos because I'm short waisted, but I don't think yours looks short here - all I see is long legs! I definitely prefer the fitted look to the waist surrender.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

I totally agree that this about the best fitting double breasted belted trench coat around for your body type, Parsley. Do you need to adjust the buttons? It's pulling a little at the bust.

I do prefer you in single breasted styles (like hubby does).

That being said, this is still a great little trench.

Parsley

Thanks, Angie. I could move the buttons over a little on the bust, but maybe I'm better off returning it, and looking for something different.

Do you prefer this brown one to the trench, or just single-breasted in general?

I don't prefer the brown style because it's a little on the "too unstructured" side. But you wear that shade of brown very well! I wonder whether that is influencing hubs?

Jem

I love the red one!

Thanks again, Angie, and all you supportive YLFers! Angie, I agree that the brown one is sackier than I want, and I'd love to have something more fitted, and I'd love one with more color.

I'm keeping the tags on the red one for the moment and continuing to look, but if I don't find something really amazing I'll probably keep it.

jumpingfrog

Active Member

That red coat is a lovely colour on you. I am busty as well and have always avoided belted or double breasted coats. Most of my coats are rather sack-like, and I would love to have a well-fitting trench style coat. Seeing your picture, I think I might have to start looking for a red one.

Tanya

Love the red one on you! I would just move the buttons around a little, which is a fairly easy alteration.

gradfashionista

I liked the pink coat, but saw what Angie meant about the buttons pulling. What's the material made of? Maybe you could find a similar coat with more stretch/elastane? Love the coat with the striped shirt showing through. The brown is a flattering colour, but I'm a fan of belted coats.

ManidipaM

Looks like a GREAT fit all around from these photos, Marcy! Glad you took the photos from a lower vantage.

In fact, I much prefer this to the brown coat on you, which looks a little too big and voluminous, I fear. I can see a waist-surrendering style being still a little more streamlined.

That said, would you care to try a more streamlined, single-breasted, no tie (maybe empire-waist) style before you decide? It might solve both issues --- the structure you're after and the belting you're not sure of.

goldenpig

I prefer the red one to the brown one on you because the brown one is too shapeless and I think you look great in bright colors. But I would love to see you in a single breasted trench in true red! Can you hold out and keep looking?

Deborah

Parsley, I love the red color on you but I am not totally sold on the trench. I love the ides of it but I feel the fit is not perfect. Do you have any photos of you wearing it open? (just out of interest). The one you already own is quite lovely. The color is gorgeous and I do like an unstructured look sometimes and this looks very cool with the slim under layer. I agree, hang on to the red but perhaps keep looking just to be sure.

StephanieR

The red colour really suits you but I'm not sure on the style for you. I have the same problems and the find that the best solution is a single breasted coat. I don't have a full length trench coat, but have two shorter jacket lengths which work well, I also remove the belt completely which helps a lot. Belted coats make me feel bulky and uncomfortable.

Jjsloane

I have a similar shape and struggle with the same things. Especially in a sea of double breasted trenches this season. I prefer the red with it's more fitted silhouette to the unstructured brown one on you (I do think the color on that one is superb), but maybe in a single breasted or one that tapers at the waist on its own regardless of the belt? Let me know what you find so I can try the same one.

cheryle (Dianthus)

I much prefer the red one. The unstructured one falls from the chest and that may not be the best look. The red follows the lines of the body and gives definition and the color is great on you.

Suz

Such an interesting range of opinions!

But why has no one noticed how gorgeous your hair is looking! It really is fab!

I side with Angie on the cut issue; this one is probably the best double breasted coat you could find, but it's not the world's best cut for your body type.

I LOVE the colour of that brown coat on you; it just lights you up!! No wonder hubby loves it.

I wonder if you might have it narrowed just a bit to give it slightly more structure? It's worth hanging onto, IMO.

And I also wonder, how would a single breasted trench work on you, do you think? I have seen them around, and that might be a good compromise?

I apologize for taking so long to get back to you after all your astute responses! I was on call and at work yesterday, so didn't have a chance to post until now.
It's so great to have advice from a group with such an eye for fit and detail. I really can't tell you how helpful it is, and how very much I appreciate it!

The red one is good, but maybe not as great as I'd like it to be, so I'm still looking, and will post some other options if you all are not too sick of me!

Angie, you are right on target, as always. Thank you!

Jeanne, I have often thought that we have a very similar body type (but I was afraid to say so for fear of offending you!) I always find your outfit posts so helpful, because I think we do look good in pretty much the same things.

Mandipa and Natalie, I think you're on the right track, and I've ordered one almost exactly like what you describe!

Suz, You're so sweet to comment on my hair- thank you! Good idea about seeing about narrowing the brown on a little. I might try pinning it and see...

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