Ask Angie: And others, what style of coat should I be looking for?

This winter I am determined to find a coat that fulfills the following functions:

1) Can be worn over dressy clothes in the evening and in the day.
2) Can be worn over jeans to "lift" an everyday outfit
3) Works well with black but is not black
4) Not too warm or heavy (I have two wool coats and a puffer).
5) Suits my shape

My current coat/gear collection is (the second half are really gear, but there is some cross over given the amount of time I spend on the sports sideline).

1) Cream and grey plaid wool coat (vintage)- hip length
2) Tweed brown wool knee length cost- knee length, quite tired.
3) Khaki parka with black leather trim ( I am not in love with this because the colour is awful on me and it is too big...)
4) Purple puffer bomber
5) Coral and purple ski jacket
6) Turquoise rain coat

I thought a cream trench would suit me well (or tomato red). I have struggled to find one on NZ websites. Brooklyn pointed me in the direction of a couple of Australian retailers, but in the end I ordered one from ASOS (good price, and English people wear a lot of coats) It is too tight in the bust, but a great fit in the shoulders, hips and waist. it will be returned. But DH made a comment - "this style might suit a straighter shaped person to give them shape, I am not sure that it is the right shape for you."

Our climate is temperate. I will wear a coat from late April to October on some days - often a parka or leather jacket and merino will be enough.

There have been several occasions over the last couple of years where my coat has let me down so I am determined to get it right.

I don't have pics of my current coats as I don't really adore the first three - I do like the gear ones.

What direction would you be pointing me in for a coat to meet my needs? NZ has a wonderful range of puffers and gear coats, but dressy coats are harder to find. I would look at a US retailer if I was confident on sizing, and possibly a spring weight coat is what I need.

Thanks in advance.

8 years ago

jenanded

Veteran

I am watching the responses with great interest as i need something similar. With limited options and experience with 'cold' weather I can't nail this.

Sal

Jen, there are some lovely ones on the David Lawrence and Sportscraft websites, worth a check. Nice classic styles if that is what you like - I will go for a classic style because I expect to own this piece for ten years.

I tried on two in Witchery today - one was too boxy, one was too much like a dressing gown. I also tried on a red trench (Oliver Black brand in NZ department store "Farmers"). It is a possibility and the best to date but it has no wow factor. While I want classic I also want something that stands as a great piece alone.

Brooklyn

What style was the ASOS one ? I am curious because your DH did not think it worked for you.

Thanks Brooklyn, I looked very busty in it, and it did emphasize my shortwaistedness. Belts can do this. It was the wrong cut, so it might be just this one.

Pic 1 is the one I ordered but I wonder if a longer one would be more flattering. More like pic 2. But I don't want the leather trim.

I love this Sportscraft one, but don't particularly want black (pic 3).

However I have had success with a winter dress and also a new top to wear under all my jackets - both from Witchery.

The dress was lovely on me, great long sleeves and just above the knee which I am happy with in winter with tights or leggings. I would wear bare legged with a heel. This will be a dress that is perfect for work, board, even nights out or dinners out.

The tee is also very elegant and will be good under a black, pink, red and green jacket and worn alone.. it has a nice keyhole at the back.

I also tried on a cold shoulder top but realised that my shoulders have a dent in them which needs a strap to fill. Quite odd, but definitely not a look for me.

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For a trench coat, I think a longer coat (at the knee or close to it) tends to be more flattering. Also warmer! I think single breasted is also more flattering than double breasted (especially when open) but double breasted is probably easier to find at the moment (and can give a different look, eg a military vibe, which is fun). You could also look at pea coats and reefer coats. They are very classic. But tend to be shorter in length. I saw that Country Road had a nice reefer style coat at the moment.
I wonder if it is still a little early for coats here? I think there may be more to come. I will keep an eye out.
Love the dress! Great sleeves. I can really see this on you. The tee is great too. I am wondering how I missed it, will check it out now

There is a UK website called House Of Fraser that might be worth a look. I bought a coat from them once. They have lots. Also, what about good old Marks and Sparks?

Thanks Brooklyn. I have had more success at Witchery recently than I have had in years, although I tried on about ten different tops. There was a nice rusty burgundy colour in store that would suit you (see attached pic) - this tee was not right on me, but there was another top that I cannot see online that I rather liked.

Yes I think I probably am too early for Southern Hemisphere, I will look at House of Fraser and M &S. I do prefer single breasted on me - but double breasted seems to be popular now.

There are a couple of places locally that might have something different, including a VERY classic shop dealing to a slightly different demograph than me (my Grandma used to shop there for her church suits). I could probably get away with a pea coat more easily online as I just need to get the shoulder fit correctly.

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Sally I do have a Sportscraft trench coat... and I am not happy with it. Since I often take these travelling, it crushes easily and just looks sloppy even though it is a classic style and technically fits. I had a Mela Purdie jacket for years and it travelled a breeze and just shook out. The collar could go against the wind walking on weekends with an Icebreaker underneath, and you could also scrunch the collar to make it a statement piece for dinner and the theatre in New York... Maybe I need to look at one again myself. They are very expensive but I probably had 10 years wear out of that last one. And it was nigh on my only coat so it had a good workout.

Anonymous

Hmmm...I had to think about this. What about a round collared, very sleek and simple jacket like the one Dashielle posted under the heading, "Spring 2016 wildcard?".
Seems like that type of thing would give you a nice straight line up and down.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

How about a cocoon trench coat or very light wool coat, Sally? I'm not sure you want a tie on the waist on a classic style of trench.

I vote any colour that makes you happy, and make sure there is enough length to work over dresses. Below are merely silhouette ideas to get you going.

John Lewis

Winser London Milano Wool Single Breasted Coat, Burgundy

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Reiss

Arlenis Deep Ocean Long Length Coat

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Classiques Entier Chevron Jacquard Print Wool & Silk Topper

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Elie Tahari 'Louisa' Wool Blend Long Coat

$698.00 $418.80

Bloomingdale's

T Tahari Ethel Zip Back Coat

Boden

Karlie Coat

Thanks Smittie, I admired the coat Dashielle linked to....but wondered if the fact it did not close was too limiting. I suspect the shape might be good though and the colour was stunning.

Angie, I like these shapes, and the Boden jacquard one is fun.

I will be back in touch with updates, I don't need one for another month or two... But I don't want to let this winter slip by without one as the last two have.

Most definitely will have to button or zip up.
I also like the cream trench coat idea but am not sure about the right cut for you since you say the typical belted trench is not for you. Maybe if you look around there might be some other shapes available.

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