Could this be my trench coat???

This is overdue, but thanks to all who suggested trench coat picks for me last weekend. Many of them looked really great, and I hadn't gone ahead and pulled the trigger just yet more because it was a busy week than anything else. You're all amazingly thoughtful and I appreciate your help so much.

Since I haven't ordered yet, though, I was cruising around on my own and stumbled on this one. The only thing that raises a question for me is the ruffle aspect. Where is it and what does it look like? And could someone be kind enough to describe the collar? The fact that the reviews say the colour is more a shimmery royal than navy actually makes me happy! How does the colour look to you?

http://www.igigi.com/plus-size.....-navy.html

Also considering this dress, because people loved it before and the crimson colour sounds like me. Sounds like I could make it work fro everything from the office to fun nights out:
http://www.igigi.com/plus-size.....imson.html

After this I can stop asking questions and start showing off some new loot!! I managed to find all my would-be NAS purchases on even deeper discount than the original NAS prices, so I'm going to have a fun, package-tastic week!

12 years ago

sarah

Veteran

Michelle - that dress has your name on it, for sure. I think it would be lovely on you and you should give it a try. It has a flattering neckline that makes it look like a wrap dress, and the skirt seems very "flowy" and not to clingy and falls just below the knee in length. The color looks lovely - a red that is very slightly on the cool side.

The trench is lovely, too. On my screen, the blue looks a bit purply, and I really like it. The collar is unusual, but very flattering. The top part of the collar is like a normal trench coat collar. Below the "notch", the collar is a large, wide ruffle that lies in what looks like a very flattering way on the chest. The collar makes a relatively deep "vee" where the two sides of the coat wrap together when closed - because the lower part of the collar is a wide ruffle, you can't pull it up and closed the way you could with a regular trench collar. That is the only thing that gives me pause - I wonder how practical that would be in your climate? It's a very flattering style, but there doesn't seem to be any way to close the collar close around your neck if it's cold. Do you imagine wearing this in very cold weather?

Michelle

(website)

Great description, Sarah! Thank you! So would you say the ruffle is super dramatic and overpowering, or is it reasonably tame?
I'm not massively concerned with coat closure. I tend to run hot and never button up even my winter coat all the way. When necessary I rely on scarves for neck coverage, and I'm sure I could find something to work with this coat if I had to. I have other options for truly cold days, so no problem there. This would just be more for rainy weather and coolish fall days.
It's just exciting that the length seems so perfect for me! That never, ever happens!

Michelle - the ruffle is a wide, soft draping ruffle - it doesn't look frilly (because it's a "loose" ruffle - the gathering is not tight at all) and therefore it doesn't look overdone to me either. I think it's quite lovely, actually. Basically, the lower notch of the trench coat just has a bit of extra fabric towards the outer edge (as though it was cut in a triangle that was a bit too broad) that causes it to drape in 2-3 soft folds, rather than lie flat the way a normal trench coat notched collar would. It must work because the fabric is soft and not stiff like most trench coat fabrics. I hope that helps.

April

Sarah explained the ruffle on the trench really well -- wide, soft, and draping. It's slightly hard to tell in the photo, but it also looks like the ruffle may be on one side of the collar only. If so, that lends it a modern, asymmetrical touch that, along with the softly draping quality, also works against the fussiness factor that ruffles sometimes have.

In short -- this trench is definitely worth a try. I think it's lovely.

Kat

I am not a fan of "fussy" frilly things and I must say that the trench is beautiful and sophisticated. I agree with Sarah and April that it is more a draping than a frill and it does look like the ruffle is only on the top layer of the collar (not the section that is buttoned under) which is a fantastic modern asymmetric touch. Both the trench and the dress are truly lovely pieces. I think they may fit the bill for your selective self.

marianna

Love the trench! Definitely worth a try. It's uber glam.

I like the dress too, but the model is wearing it a bit off the shoulder, which would require bra modifications (her shoulders are bare in some of the pics). Not sure if this is simply how it's styled for the pictures or how the dress will lay on you too. Just an FYI.

Thank you so much, ladies! The trench sounds like a go...just one last thing. Is it *too* glam looking for every-day wear? I don't want to look excessively fussy, though dressy is just fine with me as you know.

It's great for every-day wear, Michelle! Can't wait to see it on. Nordies has a lot of Tahari coats with big ruffles right now... love them for feminine everyday wear!

Suz

I don't think this coat is too dressy for everyday wear for someone who tends towards the "dressy" side of things. It would be too dressy for, say, going to an outdoor football game. But not for going to work, going out for lunch, or going just about anywhere else. It's a gorgeous purply-blue and looks as if it drapes beautifully. I would definitely give this a try. It is very sophisticated. It will also look lovely in the evening. My sole concern about it was the same as Sarah's, that is, neckline coverage. But if you have that problem covered, then order away!

As for the dress, I think it is gorgeous and versatile. It has a very sexy look when worn off the shoulder, but the description says it can be worn both ways (on shoulder or off). In the photos they also show it belted (to change up the style) and it would certainly be a great dress if you were travelling anywhere; I'm sure it would pack like a dream. It could be dressed up or down quite easily. Again, I would give it a try.

And I think you've found a great site for beautiful plus-size clothing! Maybe that site should be shared in a new thread for others looking for similar stuff!

chewyspaghetti

I like both of these for you- great picks!

ButterflyLady

I also love both of those, Michelle. I am very averse to overly ruffled and frilly clothes, but I love the coat, it's gorgeous (the others have done a far better job of describing it than me).

It'a a lovely coat - I say yes!

lyn67

Hi Michelle, me too like the trench so much! I vote yes! The draped collar is something new, so dramatic and overly feminine, will compliment any curves! The colour is also lovely! ...and dress has surely your name on it.!
Go on, You stylish girl!

bella

Michelle, it is a great trench. My only concern is that it is a very wide V-neck. To me, it would feel like I would have to color coordinate what I am wearing underneath with the trench, which defeats the purpose of an overcoat. Also, would you want to have your chest exposed like this when it's raining? I'd want something a bit more cozy.

Bella: You're the second person to raise this issue. Exactly how low is the v on this coat? If I wasn't colour-coordinating everything, could I not use a neutral-toned scarf to fill in the gap?

MsMary

It's pretty low and pretty open. I think I personally would pass on it because I wouldn't feel like the coat was going to do its job of keeping me warm! You could certainly fill the gap with a scarf, but I wonder whether a scarf might compete with the ruffles?

Diana

Michelle, I like this coat a lot for you! The other ladies have already described the ruffle perfectly, but I just wanted to add that I actually have a coat with a similar one-sided ruffle neckline. Mine is a heavy black wool winter coat though. I really love it - the ruffle adds a lot of visual interest without being overwhelming since it is still essentially like a lapel. If i recall correctly, you are like me in that you never want to button your coat up to your neck anyway so I think the lack of a tight closing neckline option is not going be an issue for you. (My coat actually does have a button to pull up one pleat of the ruffle for a slightly asymmetric higher closure. Although this one does not look like it has that, you might be able to get a tailor to add a hook and eye or something to pull up the neckline a bit if you want that option.)

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