How to style a waxed jacket? - YouLookFab Forum

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How to style a waxed jacket?

Katerina

Veteran

Dear stylish friends,
I have a lovely waxed cotton jacket, a duffel coat style (see picture), almost never worn, and I do not know how to style it in a fresh way, suitable for my dramatic rather dressy style. Maybe it is a totally wrong item for me?
My sister and I found this jacket on deep discount for about five years ago. It is from Gloverall. I thought it was a great idea then. Classic, cute, great quality, perfect for my climate - simply something that “everybody” should have in their closets. And my DH is very fond of that style and himself wears Barbour jackets and such all the time. So I bought it and was happy. Until I realized that it is quite outside my style. And I cannot style it. You know me by now dressy, dramatic, polished and struggling with casual or sporty looks.
So, what to do? I really like the jacket as such, still think it is a great timeless classic item, but do not wear it. I do not want to give up on it quite yet…

Do you wear wax coats? If so, how do you style them? And do you have any idea how to style mine in a modern and less traditional way -perhaps a bit dressy and softer, more “feminine”? Is it even possible? Or any other ideas how to handle it?

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Dressing

30 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

Synne

Veteran

Great challenge! The first ideas that comes to mind is to throw in some pattern mixing. Maybe play on the plaid that's already there in the lining. Or use classic "preppy" patterns in a tongue-in-cheek way. Is the jacket black? Houndstooth trousers. Gingham. Whatever you may have. I am sure you can do something amazing with this!

Anonymous

I hear you, and appreciate the care and attention to detail with which you style your outfits but I would try just waiting for the right weather and putting it on over what you're wearing.

Hunting and riding type clothes are so fixedly what they are they don't really merge well with "mainstream" items, better to let them just be apart.

The only way you can get a really homogenized look is by going full on hunting and/or riding, the boots, etc and that is probably not your thing.

Great looking jacket!

Katerina

Veteran

Thank you, Synne. The jacket is dark blue and has some red in the pattern of the lining, plus the beige rope details. I have a pair of knitted blue/red/white trousers - maybe that could be an idea!

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Jenni NZ

Veteran

Could you not wear it just like a puffer? For walks and such?
I had never owned a puffer until 2019 but have easily got over 30 wears out of it since for leisure walks in cooler weather. I appreciate that my winters don’t get very cold, but this would be a spring/autumn garment for you wouldn’t it? Those trousers look worth a try!

Katerina

Veteran

Phoebe, thank you for the input. To let the jacket just be apart from the rest of the outfit is really the shift in perspective I would need here, I guess…. Maybe just to try to get the colours right and ignore the possibly clashing styles?

Jonesy

Veteran

The pants you've just posted would be excellent, I think! How about those pants with a dark navy merino or cashmere turtleneck, some sleek boots, and the jacket? Taking the styling into more sleek/urban territory, vs. woodsy (I love woodsy! but your style doesn't seem very woodsy :).

Katerina

Veteran

Jenni, thanks for the advice. I wear puffers with everything. Puffers, though they are inherently casual, work with any dressy outfits these days IMO. My eye is not used to waxed coats with everything yet. As Phoebe suggested - maybe just wear it and let it be a thing of its own …

Irina

Veteran

Maybe you can try beige pants or white jeans, white sneakers and a navy sweater?

Katerina

Veteran

Jonesy, thanks for stopping by! You are right, hunting style or woodsy or countryside is not my style, and not my lifestyle actually either. I will try to take it a little into urban territory… Your sweater suggestion is great.

But what about a bag? I think a messenger bag would be perfect, but do not own any right now. A hobo style? A crossbody? I don’t think my frequently used satchels would work very well…

Katerina

Veteran

Irina, another good idea, thanks!

The Cat

Veteran

My immediate suggestion: Team this jacket with an offwhite column of colour--e.g. turtleneck + pants/jeans or a sweater dress. Add red&white footwear--e.g. fashion sneakers and a red&white accessory, e.g. a hat or a bag.

unfrumped

Veteran

I like what Jonesy said. I think maybe pay attention to proportion s. The jacket is boxy, so , slimmer , sleeker top & pants, but can be as luxe as you like and on your would look great if the clothing is in fact very polished. Good pops of color- red scarf or such or whatever will bring out the colors in the coat. Also add shine- patent or metallic in footwear or bag.

lozz_oz

Veteran

Just pondering here.... as I know items that don’t feel totally me are sometimes those items that others have suggested or endorsed. Do you feel that your sister helped in your decision to buy this? Is the jacket more her style than yours? If so, maybe pass it on to her
Now on to the styling question.. a pair of pants the colour of the beige cord toggles, a knit in a similar tone, sneakers to complement or contrast in navy perhaps.

Inge

(website)

It's a beautiful jacket, and I'm loving all of the suggestions already.

I think juxtaposing it with "dressier" items and/or accessories will make it feel more "you" from the get-go.

I'm picturing things like:

- patent, metallics, lamé, brocade and (faux) leather for luxe gloss, shine and glitz (footwear, bags, but also clothing items)

- plaid, corduroy and tweed to lean into that Ralph Lauren/British countryside vibe

- silks, velvets and lace to "soften" the look

- animal prints, suede, plissé and faux fur for textural and visual interest

- your gorgeous scarves

- leather gloves in a colour that stands out

- rich colours like red, burgundy, cobalt, forest green, emerald, cognac, plum, royal purple, mustard...

Will add some links to visuals below.

Anonymous

Katerina, here’s a nod to color blocking. Thought of you

https://www.vogue.com/article/.....=VOG_Daily

Inge

(website)

- This type of look was one of the first I thought of: shimmery/metallic patterned trousers:

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/1055599886152067/

J.Crew did lots of these type of patterned pants ((pencil) skirts too) some years ago, and I think their dressy and playful integrity would work great with your jacket

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/351914158363699456/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/.....bYxnVPLTc/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/100627372897224066/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/529595237402089393/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/155303887123417525/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/217580225723815236/

- Metallics

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/424745808613895988/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/185210603416668965/

- Corduroy (trousers or skirt) in a bright/rich colour

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/311944711697866844/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/9851692924364767/

In fact, if you scroll down on those pins, many of the "preppy" Ralph Lauren outfits or elements thereof would play really well with your jacket. The tweeds, the plaids, the blazers, the riding style vibe etc.

- A skirt or dress paired with fun plaid tights (or solid bright-coloured tights, or lacy hosiery)

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/33917803427418057/

- (faux) leather skirt (or trousers) and one of your amazing scarves

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/33917803427746350/

- midi jacquard knit dress and oxfords

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/249949848048508385/

- checked trousers (love your patterned trousers for this) with the patent red booties

https://www.thisisjanewayne.co.....x-barbour/

- would do different footwear, but a skirt or midi dress with shark-bite hemline

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/17592254786798478/

- midi sweater dress (maybe with patterned hosiery)

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/9851692923903016/

- cream or white trousers or jeans with patterned sweater and fab scarf tucked into the sweater collar

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/67694800634882405/

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Oh wow! What an impressive thread. Honestly I have a similar coat in my "archives" and I never reach for it. But I don't have the weather for it often either. Am studying all the options above and look forward to seeing what you come up with!

Tanya

Veteran

There are already lots of good suggestions here. I'd style it simply: good fitting jeans, solid pullover/sweater in a nice color that goes well with the jacket, and than mood-setting-shoes: super casual or dressy & polished, but current either way.

I actually wore a somewhat similar jacket today (below), waxed burgundy in utility style. I wore it with brown midi sweater dress and flat knee-high burgundy boots. I will post the outfit later in the week.

Banana Republic

Waxed Canvas Jacket

$148.00 $117.99

Sale

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Katerina

Veteran

The Cat and Unfrumped - thank you very much! These are wonderful suggestions.

Lozz-oz, thank you for chiming in! You are right, my sister loves these styles and looks great in them. But she bought the same jacket for herself then, LOL.

Katerina

Veteran

Inge - WOW, thank you! You are a genius! I love the metallic looks and many of the other looks as well. I would never have thought it was possible to style these jackets like that. I think I am turned Now I can’t wait to try some combinations.
And now I just “need” brocade trousers

Katerina

Veteran

Nikki, thank you! I love this!

Katerina

Veteran

Shevia, thank you.

Tanya, thank you for the advice. What a beautiful jacket and a great color for you! I can picture your styling with the dress - sounds gorgeous. I look very much forward to seeing the pictures.

Inge

(website)

You're very welcome, Katerina, I'm glad to hear it's helping you to envision more options, and I can't wait to see what you come up with.

And I agree: you would rock brocade pants (says the enabler:-)

JAileen

Veteran

Such an interesting and beautiful jacket. I have a wool coat with toggles like yours and I just wear it with anything. But then my style is definitely more casual. I’m glad to see you’ve gotten a bunch of good suggestions (Inge is a real treasure!).

Katerina

Veteran

JAileen, thank you.
I have also a woolen long duffle coat in beige with dark chocolate and black on the inside. That I wear over almost any outfit. It is this shorter blue waxed one that is a bit difficult … But now thanks to all the great ideas and suggestions I am excited to try new outfits

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I'm chuckling here...my waxed coat from J. Crew is one of my most worn items. But for my mostly casual style, it's easy peasy to style. TBH, I love this coat so much, I keep looking for the identical replacement (which does not exist) and now baby it...it does need re-waxing, which Nemosmom generously gave me a tutorial about but I have not yet done.

I can see how you might struggle with it because it is so casual. But...Jonesy's ideas take it into classic Ralph Lauren territory. Amping up the juxtapositions even further (with truly dressy, luxe items) is another approach.

I wear mine with jeans and sneakers, of course. Also boots. Any kind of top, from knitted pullover to blouse. I often wear scarves, as you do.

Long downtown field jacket

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Katerina

Veteran

Suz, you cracked me up! Thank you for commenting.
Your jacket is great! Blue is your color and you wear different blue jeans like nobody’s business. Perfect jacket for you! I hope you find a great replacement when it’s time to let this one go.
As for my jacket - I think being blue and not black or grey (or dark olive) makes it harder, because I have a lot less items in my wardrobe in blues and browns, most are black or containing black. The same goes for footwear.

I am curious to try to amp up the juxtapositions as you suggest and try the jacket with som more lux-dressy items - it will be either really good or really bad, but a fun exercise either way. We have the weather for the jacket right now, so I will do some outfit trials soon.

Joy

Veteran

I would treat the jacket like it is leather. How about with a navy tweed skirt or pants? You could pair it with reds, pink, greens or a colorful pattern.

Bijou

Veteran

When I saw your picture, the thing that makes this coat for me is the duffle style which seems to be trending in high end designers - Saint Laurent have this one

Saint Laurent - Hooded wool duffle coat | Mytheresa.

I bought a second hand Japanese Burberry duffle coat (in Finds). My intention is to use the coat to wear with more dressy items. An outfit that I have enjoyed wearing is in Finds below.

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