Coordinating your coat to your winter outfits

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thanks Tanya. You are YLF's hardest worker bee. (with the sweetest nectar).

Let’s hear what the others have to say, and I’ll chime in a little later.

17 years ago

marianne

Active Member

Hmm I think that it depends on the coat style and also the chances of wearing it unbuttoned or taking it off. I always felt that coats that button all the way are more forgiving than the ones with lapels (don't know the term). I think it's easy to have the coat not clashing with the outfit, but making it a true part of the outfit would be tough. I know it's nothing helpful, but thanks for kicking off this list of questions! I am particularly interested in HSG issues - this has always been problematic, and I don't like HSG sets.

17 years ago

Nicole

Veteran

I think it would be impractical and expensive to have coats that match the outfit. I assume you are talking about color matching.

More important than the color is the style. If you're wearing a skirt or dress slacks or a dress, then you don't want to walk around in a parker, or a pea coat. If you're wearing jeans and casual boots, then you don't want to walk around in a long formal mohair coat.

Also, weather, activity, and means of transportation comes into play. If you live in a warmer climate, that has the rare cold spell, then it would be utterly silly to have a lot of coats. But where I live, I think the average person needs at least 5 coats. 1. True winter parker (for outdoor snow related activities--like skiing, sledding, snowboarding, SHOVELING (yuck) 2. Short wool jacket (like a pea coat) 3. Long dressy fabric jacket (for skirts and dresses) 4. Med. to Long Rain Jacket and 5. Casual warm parker or anorak

So depending on your lifestyle, doubling up on certain kinds of jackets is a good idea. I spend half of my winter in a black wool hip length pea coat. (It's not really a pea coat, but close in style). So my need for a duplicate is there. I rarely wear my long dressy winter coat, so it would be crazy for me to invest in another one.

So, if your coats are neutral colors--then you don't need to worry about how they match your outfit.

17 years ago

christie

Active Member

Tanya, I am in the "not coordinated" group. I just can't afford to buy that many coats. Instead, I prefer to have a simple style that goes well with everything. For cooler days, I now have a nice black trench coat (new, bought for my Maine trip, yeah!). For cold days in winter, I have a very nice, fitted, green/gray/brown pea coat. My goal this winter is to buy a nice, long black/dark neutral coat to wear with nicer outfits, since the pea coat doesn't necessarily work (but I wear it anyway).

When I lived in New England, I did have more coats (like Nicole suggests), including a huge parka. But in my new home, a huge parka isn't necessary; the pea coat suffices for the whole winter.

I suppose if one has the money to spend and loves coats, then nothing should hold her back from buying multiple coats to match various outfits. It could be nauseating (if it is too coordinated with everything), but, if tasteful, it would be quite stylish.

17 years ago

Tanya

Veteran

Thanks for the replies so far ladies. Yes, I am indeed primarily interested in color coordination, although style coordination is important as well.

Nicole, you bring up a lot of good points. Of course I know that coats are expensive and having many to match multiple outfits is for many of us unrealistic.

I am not that interested in ''matching", more in "going with" if that make sense: having the coat look harmonious with the rest of stuff as opposed to something just thrown over that will be taken over.

For simple neutrals such as black, brown, grey it is indeed very difficult to have the coat seriously clash with the outfit, so one's usually safe. It's the colored/statement coats that worry me more. Earlier this year I got brave and bought a purple wool coat after years of endless neutrals. I noticed that I was making a lot off effort to make the color of the tops, even bottoms and accessories work with purple. I could not get myself to wear sweater that would clash with purple, even if they could be only briefly seen together during the process of unbuttoning and taking the coat of. So I was wondering if I was limiting myself way too much in the use of this coat.

Nicole raised another interesting question for me: proper length of the coat for skirts/dresses. I have to admit that I do not know what this is. Since I mostly wear pants, my coats hit me anywhere between mid thigh to the knee. Are knee-length coats OK with the knee-length skirts or should the skirt be completely covered? Something about coats longer than knee-length scares me, I probably feel I'll be overwhelmed with all the material and that one needs to be really tall to pull those off.

17 years ago

christie

Active Member

Tanya,

Angie wrote a good post about this a long time ago (maybe 2 winters ago?). If I remember correctly--and you'll probably want to search this--I think she said that the coat should be knee length when wearing a knee length skirt/dress.

17 years ago

Rosie

Veteran

Tanya, great topic. I live in San Diego so I honestly don't have to think about coats too much. I wanted to add to what Christie said about coat length with skirts/dresses. I know there used to be some hard and fast rules about the coat being longer than the skirt or the same length. Recently I have read quite frequently that as long as it looks deliberate, varied lengths are ok. This may not make it easier, but it gives a little more leeway. I think it's pretty easy to tell with the eye whether a few inches of skirt showing works, or whether it's best not seen. I've seen some great looks with skirts peeping out of a coat, particularly at dressier occasions.

When I am in colder weather, however, I think I am sensitive to the color of the coat complementing my outfit. I have a beautiful peacoat that is a light purple and I won't wear it with items that look horrible with it.

The book More Alive with Color lays out quite a few colors that go with everything, beyond the basic neutrals. Most likely the colors in your wardrobe have similar undertones, so you could probably choose a fun color that would really go with almost everything. I don't have time to post the colors she talks about now, but can definitely do it this evening if you are interested!
http://www.amazon.com/More-Ali.....pd_sim_b_7

17 years ago

shiny

Veteran

Purple sounds like it could be a very versatile color, esp considering the colors you gravitate towards, Tanya.

I admit I have way too many coats. A lot of them don't fit me anymore, since I lost weight, so I am in the market for maybe just one more this year!! I justify my coat collection on two ideas:

1) It's boston - it's cold!! we live in coats most of the year. And I hate being cold! Hate it!

2) My DD's are about the same size as me, so we all can and do share and swap. Therefore most of the coats in my closet do get ample enough wear, I couldn't really prune too much out.

The only coats I don't allow my DD's to borrow, are my leather jackets. Those are hands-off.

One of my favorite Fall jackets is a winter white/beige plaid cropped peacoat, from BR a few seasons back. It is the kind of coat that you really do have to match what you wear underneath. It works best with jeans, winter white slacks and skirts, black, and brown pants.

Last Fall I fell in love with a Jcrew 3/4 sleeve cropped swing jacket, in an orangey red. I wore that jacket all the time. But again, it is the type of jacket that you do have to pay some attention to what you are wearing underneath, or it will clash. But it went with a lot of Jcrew stuff I had last year.

I also got a lot of use out of a black 3/4 length Elie Tahari puff coat. Has an oversized puffy collar you can flip up to keep your head warm, and the bottom has a balloon hem. Sounds like it would be overwhelming, but it's very tailored. Very cute coat - kinda like a high fashion version of a puffer. It wasn't as warm as I would've liked, but I wore it quite a bit, especially because it was loose enough I could wear it over a blazer.

I debated about a North Face jacket.... I liked one I saw that was very long and hooded, but not too puffy, and it was really really warm.... but I just couldn't
get past the logo on both front *and* back. My DH said it looked from a distance like bird poop. NF makes a great product, but WHY do they have to put logos on their coats???

For wearing over skirts and dresses, I have a long black wool BR coat that's about 4 or 5 years old now. It has a nipped in waist, and has a beautiful leopard print lining. It goes past the knee. It's not a petite, so it probably hits too low, but it works. It's just that it's a very very heavy coat!!! Which makes it a pain when traveling and it has to be carried. I would love to replace it with a cashmere coat. Had my eye on those last year, but they are so expensive.

17 years ago

Anonymous

I've worn burgandy a lot as a winter neutral. There's not much that it doesn't go with. This year all my coats are too big. I'm thinking I'd like the coat I plan to wear the most in some shade of grey or maybe eggplant.

17 years ago

Steph

Veteran

Tanya, I am a big fan of coats, and I do think you are being too limiting in the way you are trying to color match your coat to your outfit. I always make sure the color of my scarf, hat and gloves goes with my coat, as well as my shoes and purse. Last winter I had a great bright red coat, the winter before a green one, and the winter before that a pink one. I always get so many compliments on these coats, and people often say it is nice to see some color in the sea of black and grey everyone else is wearing.

But to limit yourself to the extent that you won't wear a color top that doesn't match with purple, even if it will only be seen with the purple coat for less than a minute as you take it off, is too limiting to me. I'm sure your purple coat is adorable, so you should show it off as much as possible!

17 years ago

Basia

Active Member

What if we think of the coat as a real artist think of a stage costume? Hence, to reveal in stages, as each layer has its own flash, coloring as well as something of a surprise in it.
That would live us with scarf, gloves, hats and coats in one. They key being the boots as the one who stay on. What do you think?

17 years ago

Tanya

Veteran

Thanks for all the replies so far ladies! I see that there are proponents of both opinions.

Christie, I have found Angie's article on coat lengths for skirts, thank you.

Rosebudrmm, I have actually recently received that book as a gift, but haven't had time to read it yet, I'll certainly do it ASAP.

Shiny, I LOVED reading descriptions of your coat collection ( or any other collection on other threads). I can almost picture you in those coats!

Joy, I love your burgundy idea! It would be so nice if i found a cute/affordable burgundy coat/jacket this fall. Maybe a fitted leather jacket in burgundy. A girl can dream, right ?

Steph, I appreciate your opinion. I am not really trying to match the color of my coat, just trying not to have anything on that seriously clashes with it. I also always try to coordinate the coat with HSG, bag and boots. On the other side, I try to also coordinate the underneath outfit -tops, pants and boots. I am just wondering if the two also should somewhat go together or it is not necessary.

Basia, I think you are on to something there.

Angie, what are your thoughts here?

17 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Wow! Such swift responses re coats in sweltering weather (at last we have a heat wave in Seattle).

We’re talking about coats, not jackets nor trenches, right? They are very different items. So I’m referring to coats. Here are my thoughts:

o I do not encourage a black wool coat. A black trench – super. Black leather coat – nice. Black nylon parka – sweet. Black wool coat, you need a change. It’s a tired look. And a hectically impractical one. ( I know I’ve your juices flowing!)
o Never go below knee-length on a coat, whether you’re tall or not.
o As for “matching”, I see Tanya’s point, but a coat is an item on its own. It does not need to match what you wear underneath. However, that being said, I instinctively make sure my coats work with my outfits. I have a bright cobalt blue ‘40’s retro coat that I wear with black, cream, yellow and green. Nothing else. The rest of my coats are “false” plains. (very subtle tweeds and herringbones that give the illusion of one colour from a far but are in fact a myriad of colours). They are neutrally toned. I wear these false plains with every colour and it really works. False plains are the most versatile choice.

I suspect Tanya, that your purple coat is “ neutral” in your wardrobe, much like red coat would be in mine. If you can get your head around classifying it as a neutral, you might feel it goes with more items. Does that make sense?

17 years ago

Dani

Veteran

Wow, tonight is fashion education night on the forum I love learning these things! I've been wearing an orange based red coat for the last couple of years and it works well for me as most colors in my palette work with that color, but I definitely don't try to match it to my outfit. I'll actually be looking for a statement scarf to wear this winter. I also have an aubergine pea coat that I would throw on when the red would really clash with my outfit underneath.

Thanks so much for all the helpful responses!

17 years ago

Tanya

Veteran

Thank you very much for the response Angie! I have already read your post from a while ago on the black and false plain coats And I see what you mean with your cobalt coat, I guess I probably instinctively try to do something similar. If my purple coat was a darker, eggplant shade I could think of it as neutral for my wardrobe, but it is a light more bright color. Here it is ( you have probably seen this photo before):

http://s300.photobucket.com/al.....CN2849.jpg

It probably does go with most of my colors anyway. I guess I just feel safer when not certain to wear one of my neutral coats: brown coat, navy coat or charcoal cropped peacoat.

Angie, you have thrown us another curve ball, you said things are different for jackets and trenches! I guess I want to know what you mean by that, but I know you'll let us try to figure it out on our own first

17 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You look fabulous in that coat! I’d have no problem popping red and green with it. I’m sure you’re already doing a super job of integrating it into your ensembles stylishly.

I’m ready to catch that curve ball once you’ve thrown it back.

Yay Dani and Steph! Love the sound of your colourful coats.

17 years ago

Tanya

Veteran

Thanks Angie! Hmm, I would have never thought of red and green with it. I'll certainly try.

Here's my initial tentative attempt on the curve ball:

1. Trenches: a neutral one would go with anything. A bold colored one would cheer you up on a rainy day, therefore it will still go with anything Of course it has it be in the right length/shape for the outfit.

2. Jackets : these I view much more like an integral piece of the outfit, so for them I'll try to make everything work: color, style, shape like I would for any other outfit piece.

17 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

There you go Tanya. You scored 100%. A very clever little sausage

17 years ago

shiny

Veteran

Ahh! Angie! Now I understand why I'm instintively wanting to replace my long black wool coat.

You are so bad for my credit card.

If I was to invest in a classic cashmere 3/4 length coat, would camel be a better choice? That is what I have been thinking. Please let me know what you think. A color like purple or red or even pink would be preferable, but in petites often the colors are limited to black or camel or brown (from what I've seen). I won't invest in white or cream - it will get too dirty too fast.

17 years ago

Tanya

Veteran

Thanks Angie! *smiling*

17 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

And I'm even more wicked in person.

Now we’re talking, Shiny. A rich caramel camel –(not beige) is an excellent option. Pair it with scarves in the colours you like instead. Olive will look great with your eyes (even though we haven’t seen them!)

17 years ago

shiny

Veteran

... but somehow you've figured out they are hazel, often more green than blue ...

Of course, I probably mentioned that at some point. It amazes me how you remember details about everyone. I imagine you must have a spreadsheet or something. Or just a great memory!

I will have to remember to show you links to the coats at Bloomie's I have been debating about for months and months and months (all last winter as I shivered). All petites that are only offered online. It's a lot of $ and I am more comfortable dropping $ on things I can try on first. I did try on some of the regulars in the store this past winter - but the smallest sizes were so huge on me, I just couldn't imagine the petites working.

17 years ago

marianne

Active Member

Tanya, I love your purple coat! I often like Benetton coats, and they usually have a great color selection, but I never actually bought one.

Angie and Shiny - are there any recommendations on scarves to wear with camel coats? I always have trouble choosing scarves, and I usually wear mine with black or cream scarf, but I never felt quite good about it. Would you say it's a versatile enough color to wear with something bright? I never had the courage

17 years ago

Tanya

Veteran

Marianne, I'd try any bright that you like:red, teal, green, burgundy and so on. And thanks for the compliment!

Btw, I am going to start a thread on scarves ( and hats and gloves) soon after this one fades away, I've promised Angie that I'll repost my individual questions on color coordination for winter outfits on separate threads one at a time.

17 years ago

marianne

Active Member

Tanya, thanks for suggestions, and for starting this discussion - it'll help me tremendously with my fall shopping planning. I didn't mean to switch topics, but couldn't help it when things got to scarves and camel coats

BTW I love all your outfits, and I usually don't comment because I don't have the time or anything original to say... I just wanted to let you know that you're such an inspiration!

17 years ago

Tanya

Veteran

Thank you so much Marianne! Please do not feel obliged to comment, but I appreciate everything ( both original and unoriginal people) have to say.

Don't worry about switching topics, that's a lot fo fun. Sometimes we cycle trough more than three in a single thread.

Anyway, since this thread is more less done, I'm going to start the scarf one now.

17 years ago

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