Coats baffle me

Cedar

My next big style investment is going to be a nice, good coat. Only problem is, I'm baffled as to what style to wear with my body type. I've done searches of the blog for advice on how to buy a coat, but I feel like they're a little beyond even the level I'm at.

Here is my shape
<img src="http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/vv204/Cedar_bucket/body2.jpg" border="0" alt="2">

I'm looking at something like this
http://www.zappos.com/hurley-w.....?zlfid=111
or perhaps this
http://www.zappos.com/hurley-w.....cket-black

Obviously, the length thing confuses me (I'm relatively short, about 5'4''), and I feel like I've been told a number of times to avoid double breasted styles like the dickens. But I generally like the shapes of these. Any advice?

16 years ago

Dressing

7 replies

Latest reply was from Michelle

Maya

Veteran

You have a similar shape to me. You may want to read this post:

http://youlookfab.com/2007/03/.....-trenches/

I have found this to be true for myself. Despite being short, curvy, and well-endowed, I do have a double breasted trench that looks fine because the buttons are close together. On the flip side, I have a double breasted wool coat from years ago that looks quite bad now because the buttons draw a lot of unnecessary attention to my chest and make me look wider as a result of the distance between them.

16 years ago

marianne

Active Member

They both look very casual, especially the second one. If it's your main coat, I would look at something that can be dressed up or down, and more versatile that way. Do you wear skirts?
By the way, you have a great shape, and you can wear a variety of styles. Are you looking for a heavy winter coat or something more lightweight?

16 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Nice advice from Maya annd Marianne.

A coat is a great investment Cedar! In fact, you’ll need three if you have a proper Autumn and Winter:

http://youlookfab.com/2007/01/.....omplement/

I’m not going to rule out double breasted coats just yet. You’ll have to see how they fit over the bust and go from there. The first link is not really a coat – it’s a jacket. Sweet though, but as a second or third option. The second link is a pea coat. That’s a good length for a second coat. If you want something more versatile, opt for a longer length so that you can wear it over tunics and dresses too.

Single breasted coats are easy because they create a line in front of the body that is slimming and flattering. Get to departments store and start trying on loads of coats and see how you go. Take pictures and we’ll help you along the way. If you can, stay away from a black wool coat – boring and impractical. Collects every particle on earth. But a black non-wool coat has potential!

16 years ago

Cedar

Active Member

See--here's another thing that confuses me about coats. I need a hood on any coat/jacket. Period. I own a fairly nice light jacket (a gift from my mom), but since it doesn't have a hood, I don't get a lot of wear of it. Like Angie, I live in Seattle. I don't own a car, and I am constantly out and about in my day to day life--I work, I go to school, I volunteer at two different places. As much as I like the look of trench coats, it's not really an option for me, as I end up with wet hair and water down my back.

Yet most hooded coats seem to be of the casual variety, or the hood makes it look a little more casual. I'm not really in a position where I need a dress-up coat, but nor do I want an overly casual look. Is there a hooded style that ISN'T informal?

16 years ago

Maya

Veteran

Cedar, take a look at this thread:

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....h-the-rain

16 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Umbrella, Cedar! And you can get trenches with hoods. They are fabulous!

I am on the streets of Seattle ALL THE TIME. Not in my car. You can stay dry without a hood :0)

16 years ago

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Cedar, how about a trench like this one:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....rchresults
A couple of us on the forum have it, including me, and it's a great coat. The hood detaches too, so you could always remove it on days when you don't need it or want a dressier look.

16 years ago

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