Can you help me with this plaid coat?

So bought this vintage coat a few months back from a vintage store because I fell in love with it's oversized, menswear-inspired, no collar, no button type of style. I think it fits right in with the current oversized coat trend. At the time I first showed it, the reviews were mixed and I'm ok with that. Angie liked it over the black sheath dress, as do I but thought the sleeves were a bit overwhelming.

This is where I need your keen eyes (and yes...I actually mean it - lol!). Pics 1, 2 and 3 show the sleeves as they are currently. And pics 4 and 5 are with them rolled under by approximately 3-4 inches.

So my questions are:

1. Do the sleeves need to be shortened from the original length?
2. If so, does the length in pics 4 and 5 work or do they need to be shorter still?
3. Do the sleeves need to be taken in to reduce the volume? Although that could change the integrity of the coat and the style.
4. Should I just chalk this item up to a bit of a "love mistake", pass it on and forget about it?

Thanks for any and all suggestions

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10 years ago

Jjsloane

Veteran

I think a slimmer sleeve would work better at the full length. It kind of has the shape of this one and I like the overall look with the more fitted sleeve.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/vi.....s-_-1_10_B

Sveta

(website)

I like it in 4&5 very much. Is this a warm coat or a light one? If it a warm coat you would need a long gloves to keep warm with shorter sleeves...

I would not taper the sleeves - this style cries for a wide sleeve but shorter.

Janet

I missed this first time around, but I kinda love it -- the retro integrity is really nice, and the length suits you. My instinct says to narrow the sleeve slightly along with the shortening alteration. Not too much, just a bit to rein in a little of that volume and add a touch more structure.

I'd also be curious to see the sleeve slimmed but not shortened. Perhaps you could pin it from the inside and see how it looks first.

Runcarla

I like the shape of this coat and the plaid...it is one of the trends being featured (plaid, oversized). I like the longer length of the sleeves, but feel the volume is overwhelming. What about making them pegged? Tapered from the shoulder instead of narrower and straight?

See the Rochas coat in first pic, and the coat on the right pic 2.

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Anonymous

Ok, I would say that if you want to keep them full length then I would have them taken in, but if you want the sleeves shorter, then I would keep the width. It's a great coat and looks good over the sheath.

Vildy

That's a whole lotta box plaid and it looks like it has little or no drape? i.e. it's not appearing to collapse in on itself much and distort the plaid. I think, then, that it benefits from the shorter sleeve to show off your personal unboxiness.

Glory

What a fun and fabulous find. It looks like a transitional coat in terms of warmth. My thinking is that its no way warm enough for winter. I would not taper the sleeve at all - I think it is part of the retro vibe. I would consider shortening them but then I worry about cold weather and if your wear will be limited by that.
I can see you really rocking this coat - it must go with tons in your wardrobe.

To throw a spanner in the works and another idea into the mix You could also try a shorter sleeve like this: http://voguepatterns.mccall.co...../V8863.jpg and layer a slim sweater under.

catgirl

I like the shorter sleeves but think it may be impractical in our climate!

Karie

I love the 80's vibe of this coat exactly as is! If anything you could shorten the sleeves but I would leave it alone. Fab coat!

sarah

Exactly what Diane G said.

Vicki

Great coat and I agree with Sveta that a pair of longer gloves with the shorter, non-tapered sleeves would look amazing.

lyn67

This is a dramatic look for sure, curious to see how will you style it for weekdays!

Sona

Honest answer: it overwhelms you. the horizontal plaid stripes with jacket open are not congruent. I say pass.

Yes! Long leather gloves! And let me know where you find them at a reasonable price because I need some too!

Oooh, long gloves are an excellent idea. Adds to the retro appeal. I have a bunch of my grandmother's and mother's long leather gloves (my grandmother was a glove buyer for a department store in Baltimore in the 40s) and they are so fab. If I see a source for some good, affordable ones, I'll post it.

jayne

SO glad so many are saying KEEP because it seems like a great coat for you and the trend. What did you decide on the sleeves? Love the idea of 3/4 and gloves....

Transcona Shannon

Wow - what a bunch of great replies! Thank you all.

It is definitely not a warm coat. It can be worn outside now and then would need to transition into an indoor topper during the cold months, if it could work that way.

Based on your suggestions I'm wondering if it should be relegated to a jacket for an occasion like the symphony worn with long gloves and then taken off to reveal the dress?

The fabric is indeed fairly stiff and had no drape.

I'm also wondering if Sona is correct and it's overwhelming?

Need to ponder some more...why do I occasionally buy items that take so much work to work???

Firecracker (Sharan)

Can you wear it with the sleeves rolled up? (I'm thinking of the style of boyfriend blazers from the 80s or 90s.) That would be a fun look over jeans with a black turtleneck.
For a more chic treatment, I like the idea of shortening the sleeves, probably shorter than what you've shown (or a few inches above wrist) and wearing sleek gloves. The gloves could cover the gap or not--either way would work, in my view.

Suz

Fab coat! I really like it. I agree with what Diane said, and she is a sewist!

I don't think it will be overwhelming at all once you do whatever you do to the sleeves. And I love your idea of using it as an "evening" type coat with gloves. Brilliant.

Wendi1984

Active Member

I agree that shorter sleeves help. If you decide to take them in, I'd taper them as opposed to making them more fitted all the way up your arm. I think having them fitted all along your arm would possibly look weird with the boxy shape of the rest of the coat. I think a shorter sleeve would fit with the retro look of it.

Deborah

I am not sure what i think... helpful aren't I

I like the coat! Surprisingly to my eye it doesn't overwhelm you. A pattern like this would drown me (I know cos I tried something on yesterday). Simply styling would be key to it's success I think. I think the coat is actually meant to be 'bracelet' sleeve length, remember you are petite Shannon so the sleeves are possibly longer on you than how it was designed. I think the question is do you love it? Do you feel good in it? If you decide yes, then shorten the sleeves, if you decide no, pop it on Ebay... vintage items generally sell quite well in my expererience.

deb

I like the idea of a 3/4 sleeve. Could you pin the sleeves so they are midway between your wrist and your elbow?

ManidipaM

I still love it. Even more with sleeves taken up. It might even be fun toelbow short in a mod way. Will sleeve volume prevent oIterwear from going on easily? Is that an issue?

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