https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-please-help-me-define-why-this-coat-isnt-a-10 Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 11 May 2026 03:22:04 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-please-help-me-define-why-this-coat-isnt-a-10/page/2#post-596903 Mon, 16 Apr 2012 04:18:38 +0000 Fruitful 596903@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jigsaw, Deborah. About 5 years ago I popped in there; I was looking for a red coat, and they had a divine one, but it was beyond my comprehension pricewise (I ended up getting a $50 coat which I liked, but which sort of died after a couple of seasons). I thought of it as a shop "not for me".</p> <p>My thinking about reasonable prices has changed a LOT since then :)</p> <p>They had some fabulous, fabulous stuff. And the SA was ideal - helped when I wanted it (let me take the coat outside for a natural light view), not pushy, and honest (she couldn't understand why the yellow coat was flying out the door and the lovely purple ones were less popular!). I love this shop and will probably get something there at some point. Found some love for Jigsaw on the Vogue Forums too. The link in my first post will take you to the Jigsaw website. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-please-help-me-define-why-this-coat-isnt-a-10/page/2#post-596895 Mon, 16 Apr 2012 03:56:04 +0000 Deborah 596895@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Make a note to bump this for when Angie returns from Japan. I think everyone has made very valid comments re the coat and I would be interested to hear what Angie thinks.</p> <p>Having read through your pros and cons for the jacket, and understanding how it would fit your lifestyle I get that you are still considering it. And a coupon for $100 would make it even more tempting. Where is the jacket from? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-please-help-me-define-why-this-coat-isnt-a-10/page/2#post-596885 Mon, 16 Apr 2012 03:28:52 +0000 Fruitful 596885@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@Kiwichick, I am 162 cm and I thought I was average but I may just fit into "petite"! I agree there's a swamping problem.</p> <p>@Diana - yes the wide stance caused by the toggles and pockets is exactly the problem! And I love the good fit from the back, which is very hard for me to find.</p> <p>@Rae, I will have to find what Angie said about dropped waists on coats - this is helpful, and something I thought might be a problem!</p> <p>@Elisabeth, I'm definitely noticing I nay need tailoring of a lot of things. especially sleeves. What do you normally get done?</p> <p>@Modgrl, that is useful criticism. I too feel it's too busy to look great on e and sleekness is what I should be going for.</p> <p>@Helen, thanks for the 9 rating I too love flared coats and am looking for something that will accommodate a little layering - the compromise with flattery is hard for me to figure out!</p> <p>Haven't finished, will post this though before my kid deletes it... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-please-help-me-define-why-this-coat-isnt-a-10#post-596880 Mon, 16 Apr 2012 03:14:53 +0000 Fruitful 596880@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Also I don't mind the casual style as I see it as very classic - I am quite casual - but it's a feminine, colourful, quirky, retro-inspired casual. It's purely flattery issues I'm concerned about here. The style itself fits with styles I've liked for a long time (particularly mod looks, which are extreme favourites). As far as duffle coats, which are normally very boxy, I see this as a duffle coat for Ladies :).</p> <p>Deborah, I can see where you might not have seen the casual side of my style - I'm thinking it's because of my glasses and where they've led me stylistically (I've even changed my hairstyles to suit them). Having said that, maybe the style of the coat doesn't work with my glasses... hmm, that's something to consider... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-please-help-me-define-why-this-coat-isnt-a-10#post-596878 Mon, 16 Apr 2012 03:06:40 +0000 Fruitful 596878@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Deborah, I don't know Big Babies I haven't let it go completely yet, I would love to know what Angie has to say - but how it looks to me is one of those situations where I really want it but it's just less than perfect, and walking away will probably be the right choice (they just sent me a $100 off voucher but I'm really trying to make my decisions based on PPP and not discounts/sales...)</p> <p>ETA I "have" seen an ad for Big Babies. They gross me out! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-please-help-me-define-why-this-coat-isnt-a-10#post-596875 Mon, 16 Apr 2012 02:51:02 +0000 Deborah 596875@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Frutiful, I have to tell you yesterday while Master 9 was watching something on ABC Kids ("Big Babies" just in case your boys watch it) a character ont he show was wearing this coat!! It looked good, but read very casual and like a 'duffle coat' a term I had forgotten until I read your post above.</p> <p>So by the sounds of it you are letting this one go? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-please-help-me-define-why-this-coat-isnt-a-10#post-596844 Mon, 16 Apr 2012 01:35:17 +0000 Fruitful 596844@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hello again everyone ^_^, I will start by saying what I think the issues are with this coat (which I still think is fab btw!).</p> <p>(Part of me was tempted to go and get non-mirror photos as it seems the mirror distortion is what a lot of you are seeing - the mirror was tilted and I tried to tilt my phone to compensate! I might still do that but it doesn't change the elements I'm thinking of).</p> <p>ETA - this coat just FEELS good. Of the several I've tried, this felt smooth and soft to touch, and like it was cut so I could move - as well as seamed to fit my shoulders and figure - I felt like I was putting on a beautiful quality garment. I saw care in the design which was interesting and different enough for me.</p> <p>The pockets - though classic Montgomery-style - break my rule of no-detail-waist down. I am a pear and my rule of thumb is to keep the visual interest on the upper half of my body. I somehow thought it might not matter with a coat, which camouflages my hips, but I think these pockets are adding bulk and drawing the eye down. (They are also too low for me to enjoy sticking my hands into).</p> <p>The toggles - so cute, but they're adding width to my torso. They also sag a bit which takes away the structure I seem to need.</p> <p>The collar - I love it. In fact it's all that collar and hood detailing that draws me in.</p> <p>BUT as much as the details are what make me love this coat, I think they're the overall problem. Elbow patches, toggles, pockets, wrist straps, it's all swamping me and stumpifying me. The effect is still cute - but definitely on the Paddington Bear side of the aesthetic spectrum.</p> <p>Yes, the sleeves are too long. Most coats they are. I think it's a problem because although my arms are too short for the coat, they're long for my body and too-long sleeves emphasise that (and so my legs look shorter).</p> <p>I looked up duffle coat images and most people wear them shorter than this, so I think that might be part of the problem. This style may work better at thigh rather than knee level (which of course it would be on a tall model - I'm about 162cm tall).</p> <p>The drop waist is something that also seemed to be making my legs look shorter. I had thought it was the one drop waist I could wear, as for once my bum fits under it :(</p> <p>ETA - I'm not concerned about the A-line effect on me (even though it's not traditional - in fact this is better for me than a traditional duffle for that reason, A-lines are better for me). BUT I am concerned that the sagging toggles - which require overlapping the breasts of the coat - seem to make me look potbellied! Not an issue I normally have to deal with, so it bothers me!</p> <p>From the side the sleeves look super wrinkled just from trying it on! And I seem to have lost all shoulder definition. My shoulders look rounded and bulky from that view.</p> <p>Size-wise - this is an Australian 10; I tried an 8 which was a little tight in the armholes and bodice. I have a few jackets that are on the tight side which I bought based on looking better, but the problem is I tend to only wear them when I'm feeling great and going out. I want this coat to be one I'm happy to throw on when I need comfort too so I'm trying to take Angie's advice of sizing up rather than down here. It really is making it harder to get something flattering though! I don't just lose my waist, I lose the modest amount of boobage God gave me!</p> <p>Wow, writing that was exhausting so I'm going to post it before I attempt the rest ^_^ </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-please-help-me-define-why-this-coat-isnt-a-10#post-594882 Fri, 13 Apr 2012 01:16:25 +0000 Suz 594882@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Fascinating discussion and great pictures! I think you've heard lots of sage thoughts on this particular coat. I agree with those who have said the dropped waist can be particularly tough to wear. Of course I speak as someone with a longish torso and shortish legs, so you can guess my own personal figure-flattery priorities! I can really see why it appealed to you, though. </p> <p>As for striving for 10s...I'm still not completely at the place where I can aim ONLY for 10s, because I still have so many holes in my wardrobe and can be forced to some temporary stopgap measures while I make smarter and more durable purchases. But for my big-ticket items, I'm definitely aiming for 10. </p> <p>Having said that, I decided to compromise on a trench coat this spring. I really wanted a navy or a bright coloured trench. Much as I sometimes wish I could wear it, on me, beige is soul-destroying, not just soul-sucking. So that was out. And black is rather harsh for my colouring. But even in a season of bright trenches, the one that worked for me was not available. </p> <p>Thing is, I REALLY needed a coat. </p> <p>I found a black one, almost inky black. I tried it on for YLF. YLF loved it. Angie called it an 11/10!! </p> <p>Well, for me, it was still an 8 or 9, because I really didn't want black. But I bought it, and the fit is so great it makes up a lot for the colour. In this case, I think I did the right thing; the price was reasonable and it looks a lot more expensive than it was, and at that cost I can afford to buy another coat next year if the right one comes along. </p> <p>So I guess it's a balancing act. I did a bit of a cost/benefit analysis. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-please-help-me-define-why-this-coat-isnt-a-10#post-594756 Thu, 12 Apr 2012 22:29:10 +0000 Fruitful 594756@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Elisabeth I haven't got the Cortona Fluevogs yet but just 3 days ago had an amazing experience of help in the Sole Devotion store! I now know for a fact the 8 will fit me which equates exactly with your sizing info - you said TTS but err down rather than up - I'd say this, or put it as runs a half size large! They happened to have one pair left, black/grey, in 8 only and it was perfect - I didn't want to take them off - I am excited to order the burgundy pair soon xx </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-please-help-me-define-why-this-coat-isnt-a-10#post-594753 Thu, 12 Apr 2012 22:24:56 +0000 Fruitful 594753@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thankyou so much for your truly demystifying replies that I *still* don't have time to talk about yet (grrr school holiday chauffering to be done).</p> <p>When I reply, there's a few parts to this discussion aren't there - the specifics of this coat; what makes a 10 generally; and what my personal flattery dilemmas and priorities are.</p> <p>RoseandJoan, thanks so much for the tip about Angie and Japan! xx </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-please-help-me-define-why-this-coat-isnt-a-10#post-594541 Thu, 12 Apr 2012 18:00:30 +0000 Freckles 594541@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great coat Fruitful. Fit is out of my element so I will leave it to the others.<br /> I think it is adorable and can see you frolicking in the trees in it.</p> <p>Re finding a 10. I do think that sometimes we need to have the piece custom made as everything available will only ever be an 8 or 9. For me the trendier, more fashion forward items are okay at an 8 or 9 as it's the real workhorse that I want to be a 10.</p> <p>It also means that for me the fabric and colour must be perfect and that is where the triendier, more fashion forward items may not be exactly what I'm looking for. For something to be a true 10 the fabric and colour have to be exactly right as well as the style and fit. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-please-help-me-define-why-this-coat-isnt-a-10#post-594513 Thu, 12 Apr 2012 17:45:58 +0000 RoseandJoan 594513@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I LOVE the stock photo and can see why the coat had hanger appeal, this style is such a mod classic, and, that is why I fear it is not a 10 whilst on. A slight a-line is attractive on a duffle coat but I fear the skirt becomes a little too flared on your body type. the patch pockets don't cause me concern as they are authentic to the design.</p> <p>I think 10's are something you look for once you have a functional wardrobe in place, in this instance I would hold out for the right coat as the piece is not filling need but rather a want.</p> <p>ETA- Angie is flying to Japan today so the thread may need to be bumped when she returns. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-please-help-me-define-why-this-coat-isnt-a-10#post-594479 Thu, 12 Apr 2012 17:13:58 +0000 HelenInCanada 594479@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like the colour and vibe of this coat - feminine yet trendy and smart casual. I agree that the fit - especially at the bottom - is a little boxy, but that's a personal yay or nay. Because I wear a lot of cozy sweaters, I actually like my wool coats to be a little flared or roomy. The toggles are cute, but not necessarily elegant - again a personal choice. It looks perfect from the side and back! If this is the coat you'll be wearing everyday or to a myriad of occasions, I'd say you have to feel you LOVE it, so hold out if you don't. I think it's a 9! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-please-help-me-define-why-this-coat-isnt-a-10#post-594470 Thu, 12 Apr 2012 16:57:58 +0000 modgrl 594470@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't actually like the coat... that's a personal preference though. As far as fit, I think it fits you well and the color is nice against your skin. What don't you like about it for you? For me, I would find the color unflattering and I don't like how busy it is in the front with all of the toggles and extra stitching detail. I would prefer a more streamlined coat for myself. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-please-help-me-define-why-this-coat-isnt-a-10#post-594468 Thu, 12 Apr 2012 16:50:59 +0000 Aziraphale 594468@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>To my eye, the fit looks great from the back, but from the front the waist seems a little low. Or possibly it's just that the coat is a little big for you. Is there a smaller size? Otherwise, it's a great coat -- I love the toggle closures. </p> <p>As for your question about the quest for a 10: I'm OK with an 8 or 9, and then sometimes I'll take it to the tailor to achieve a 10. This is because I'm 5'1", so nothing I like ever fits me! All the cool stuff always seems to be in regular sizes. </p> <p>BTW you appear to be wearing Operetta Mirella boots. Nice! (Did you ever get those other ones, the ones with the hexagonal heel? I meant to tell you, last time I was in the shop I asked the SA and she said they run a bit large -- maybe a half size). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-please-help-me-define-why-this-coat-isnt-a-10#post-594459 Thu, 12 Apr 2012 16:40:37 +0000 rae 594459@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Without reading the rest, my guess would be the dropped waist, since Angie warned me away from those myself. In the online pic, the drop looks much lower on the hip, but on your body it is kind of neither here nor there - not a tailored waist, and not a significant drop. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-please-help-me-define-why-this-coat-isnt-a-10#post-594437 Thu, 12 Apr 2012 16:15:56 +0000 ManidipaM 594437@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ah, thanks for the stock photo link, Fruitful! Because not only does it allay my fears of a coat intended for the Headless Horseman to pocket his pate, it also shows that the dropped waistline is intentional --- something a few of us have been concerned about </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-please-help-me-define-why-this-coat-isnt-a-10#post-594403 Thu, 12 Apr 2012 15:55:22 +0000 Diana 594403@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think it's a 10 from the back view. From the front, I would say the culprits are the very wide stance caused by the large double-breasted closures and the big patch pockets. I much prefer the sleeker line created by a single breasted closure. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-please-help-me-define-why-this-coat-isnt-a-10#post-594400 Thu, 12 Apr 2012 15:52:13 +0000 Anonymous 594400@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Fruitful! Were you looking at second hand yellow coats this past spring? I seem to remember you posting a few pictures a while back, so the hunt continues? I think this style is just all wrong for you (in fact I'm hard pressed to think of any body type it would flatter). I love the idea of a seriously warm coat and I love detail in general, but I think the front closure is SO busy and we loose all of your beautiful curves. Something with simple lines that is more streamlined would probably be more flattering. </p> <p>I think it's worth it to look for at least a 9 in something like a coat because you will wear it often, and people will always see the coat, even if they never see the outfit underneath. Good luck! You deserve a perfectly fab coat for your fab self! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-please-help-me-define-why-this-coat-isnt-a-10#post-594231 Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:46:10 +0000 Fruitful 594231@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Anne, I can definitely wait - I won't go naked or cold this is just a dream of adding a yellow wool coat to my wardrobe, as well as taking quality into account more than I used to, so I can wait a long time (and save/layby a long time too - I will have to!) ^_^ </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-please-help-me-define-why-this-coat-isnt-a-10#post-594225 Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:37:24 +0000 anne 594225@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with the other comments and add that I agree with you on the colour. I think a stronger colour would look better on you.<br /> I think it is worth waiting for a 10 for a coat, that is if you have something that can work in the meantime? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-please-help-me-define-why-this-coat-isnt-a-10#post-594219 Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:14:48 +0000 Fruitful 594219@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm enjoying your thoughts so far and finding them most enlightening! So far nobody has called me out on looking like a Paddington Bear cosplay in this yet </p> <p>I am going to wait before commenting thoroughly for Angie's and anyone else's response, and I loled at Manidipa's observation about the pockets being bigger than my head - my mirror photos are terrible and might be the cause of the distortion, I'm going to add a link to a stock photo of the coat if it helps! Also, the hood is detachable. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-please-help-me-define-why-this-coat-isnt-a-10#post-594218 Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:10:54 +0000 Anonymous 594218@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>To my eye, the coat appears to overwhelm you, and the sleeves are too long. The toggles in front make it appear especially bulky. You might want to consider a sleeker style. I like the fit-and-flare style on you, though; just not the toggles. The yellow is a nice color, but perhaps not the best yellow for you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-please-help-me-define-why-this-coat-isnt-a-10#post-594214 Thu, 12 Apr 2012 11:59:15 +0000 sarah 594214@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>For me what is off is the proportion - the fitted at the waist, flared at the bottom silhouette doesn't fit with the toggles, IMHO. Toggle coats are usually a bit more "rectangular", less fit and flare. I think that the fit and flare style would be better in a non-toggle coat. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-please-help-me-define-why-this-coat-isnt-a-10#post-594196 Thu, 12 Apr 2012 11:20:35 +0000 harmonica 594196@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like the coat, but the front seems a bit overwhelming. I'm also supporting others here about the waist being too low in this coat.</p> <p>As for 10'er, I agree with Jayne that it has of course to do with fitting, shape and style, but the most important is how you feel when wearing it. A 10'er is hard to find and sometimes you don't know if it is a 10 before some time has passed and you realize that you've come back to the items again and again </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-please-help-me-define-why-this-coat-isnt-a-10#post-594184 Thu, 12 Apr 2012 11:04:55 +0000 Mochi 594184@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wish I could see this while I am writing, but I don't like the width and shapelessness of the collar, and to me the fit is off. I don't like how under the waist, it flairs out but not in a truly flattering way. I also don't know if you were specifically looking for a double-breasted coat, and I'm not implying that you should stay away from them the same way I need to, but they are more challenging to fit, and I also agree that the toggles seem to overwhelm the entire look. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-please-help-me-define-why-this-coat-isnt-a-10#post-594179 Thu, 12 Apr 2012 10:47:34 +0000 lyn67 594179@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great colour, indeed, BUT a bit owerhelming your frame, or you could use it as a casual. For a more elegant look I would like if the coat could have a straighter skirt line, no hood and not that much stuff on the front... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-please-help-me-define-why-this-coat-isnt-a-10#post-594148 Thu, 12 Apr 2012 08:41:28 +0000 Deborah 594148@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Fruitful it's worth waiting for the 10. I want to like this on you however it must seems to much for your petite frame. I see you in a more refined, tailored and structured coat. The toggles on this are really putting me off. I don't this is as a versatile coat, ot reads too casual to me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-please-help-me-define-why-this-coat-isnt-a-10#post-594143 Thu, 12 Apr 2012 08:16:02 +0000 jayne 594143@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Although I agree with the others that the front view seems a bit off, the feeling of a 10 has to be personal. Because I must be able to perceive to myself that something is a 10, even when other people disagree. So although it might be 80% a general agreement about a 10, I do expect there is always a dissenter that won't agree and that means I have to decide for myself if I think it is a 10. And then make the decision. </p> <p>Waiting for a 10 is soooo hard. I have several times now settled for less only to find my 10 a few days later. My current strategy is to leave all items in store and if it haunts me, I go back, maybe even several times, before I buy. I find this is working for me because I tend to be an impulse buyer. I have never regretted leaving a thing in the store even if it is gone later. Because I tell myself it wasn't meant to be! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-please-help-me-define-why-this-coat-isnt-a-10#post-594139 Thu, 12 Apr 2012 08:04:09 +0000 goldenpig 594139@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like the coat on you, but I wish that the waistband of the coat was more fitted and higher up at your natural waist because the fit is a tad boxy around your waist. It looks good from the back though. Also I think you could wear a brighter yellow color. </p> <p>How do you feel with it on? Fab, or not quite fab? If you're not sure, keep looking!</p> <p>This isn't the method for everyone, but how do I deal with my quest for 10's? A show of overwhelming force! I try on everything in sight, order multiple options and return everything except for the pieces that really sing to me. It's exhausting, but worth it in the end! </p>