Coats and the IT - YouLookFab Forum

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Coats and the IT

qfbrenda

Veteran

I know it's early but I really need to find a coat sometime this fall and starting looking around today. I'm wondering how big can a collar be before it's "too big" for an IT.

I've been dreaming of a J.Crew coat but since they are $325, I was looking at this:

http://www1.macys.com/shop/pro.....rec%288%29

I was thinking black so maybe the collar would kinda blend in?? Or is the collar just way too big? I need a petite size and there just aren't as many options as in the regular sizes. Sigh.

Shopping

16 replies

Latest reply was from qfbrenda

kellygirl

Veteran

I think that notched style is better than a shawl collar. Even if it is black, I think it's going to draw attention to the shoulders. I'm pretty sure I couldn't wear it. The collar width and height would make me look like shoulders with no neck. I think you have a longer neck though so it might work. Just my 2 cents, of course. YMMV

shiny

Veteran

I would totally wear that. The collar is balanced out by the A line shape of the skirt.

ETA: I have a short neck but this style would still work, because it has a V to the neck. It would be quite flattering. But I probably wouldn't pop the collar like that.

Freckles

Veteran

Sorry the pic of the coat doesn't come up for me.

I am an apple/IT with a small bust, broad back and short neck. Shawl collars are my best silhouette.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I think this is worth a try, Brenda. The V is nice, and the collar itself doesn't seem extreme.

qfbrenda

Veteran

Oooh, found a similar coat for half the price at Burlington Coat Factory. Hmm... black or gray...

http://www.burlingtoncoatfacto.....45216.aspx

qfbrenda

Veteran

Or this...

http://www.burlingtoncoatfacto.....58967.aspx

Would the smaller collar and raglan sleeve be better than the other options?

qfbrenda

Veteran

I know people aren't that interested in coats in August. I see no reason to wait since these are exactly what I was looking for so I might as well get it over with.

I ordered the last one with the raglan sleeves. I hope it works.

Freckles

Veteran

Beautiful coat. Everything about it looks good. My fav sleeves are raglans.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Good luck, Brenda!

Gaylene

Veteran

I think you are smart to think about a coat this time of the year. The first picture didn't come up on my screen but I like both of the Burlington coats. As a fellow IT, I wear both regular and raglan sleeves with a slight preference for the regular sleeve in a coat. But then, I like emphasizing my IT shape and have absolutely no desire to camouflage my shoulder line. One of my favorite jackets has epaulets which is supposedly a big no-no for ITs.

As to whether or not a collar is too big, I think that depends more on your height than your IT shape. If the collar looks like it is swallowing you up, than, obviously, it's too large. On the other hand, if it just looks dramatic, and you like that effect, why not go for it?

qfbrenda

Veteran

If height is any indication, then the collar on the one I ordered should work. I'm 5'1".

Jonesy

Veteran

I'm an IT and I think wider collars look fab! I think the stance of the coat matters too, plus the length of the neck. It may sound nuts, but I think a really narrow or small collar can make shoulders seem broader, in the same way that spaghetti straps do that, vs. a wider strap. Of the coats you've shown, I prefer the ones with the lower stances and the spread collars.

ETA: here are pics of me in two coats. The red one has the wider collar, and I think my shoulders look smaller in it vs. the second one (also helped by the slightly A-line shape of the red one, vs. the tapered hem on the tweedy one).

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qfbrenda

Veteran

Nice coats, Jonesy. I wonder how the single-breasts vs. double-breasted affects it all. If the one I'm trying doesn't work, I'll definitely try the other Burlington one with the wider collar.

Dashrashi

Veteran

I will put in a plug for the first Anne Klein coat. Which is to say, I liked it so much I bought it twice. Black and red. (The red I watched and pined for and eventually snagged it in March or thereabouts for under $100, after receiving the black as a gift from my mom.) I found it to be extremely flattering and very, very well made for the price--I would normally expect to pay closer to $300 for a coat like that, honestly (and then pay $200-ish on sale, because I buy everything on sale). What I love about the styling is primarily the V-neck and the single breast with the princess seams, which I find to be the most flattering style, bar none, on my large chest & relatively broad shoulders. (I'm probably hourglass with IT/apple secondary.) The other thing I love about the styling is the way the pockets are vertical along the princess seams, which keeps the lines long and uninterrupted. I find that horizontally-set pockets really break up visual length in a relatively unflattering way. I also did not find the collar too wide--I have had that problem before when auditioning similar coats (all in service of replacing the perfect black coat I got when I was a senior in high school, and which I finally did with this coat at the age of 26) and it was not a problem here.

catgirl

Veteran

I agree 100% with Jonesy's analysis. My coats tend to be more functional than dressy. I will add that I love a furry collar that gathers around my neck, even if it is not exaclty IT friendly.

I love that Anne Klein coat - the red looks really nice.

qfbrenda

Veteran

You are all so wise. I really do like the Anne Klein coat. The thing is... I don't think I'm willing or able to pay twice the price or thereabouts for different pockets. I'm thinking that maybe I should have ordered both Burlington coats so you all could help me compare them. Hmm... might have to consider ordering the other one so I can see them side by side.