Most versatile coat shape?

Astrid

I want to look for a new, well fitting coat. Ideally I'd like something that fits both with skirts and over jeans/pants. The skirts would probably be easiest to wear with some kind of long fit and flare coat, but I'm not sure I want to go as retro looking as most of them do. I'd prefer something with a more modern vibe, given that my other clothes aren't edgy and I don't want to end up looking like I'm wearing head to toe vintage - that's not where I want my style to go at all.

What kind of coat would you suggest I go looking for? Or do you think I should just buy a coat to wear with pants and get something different to wear with skirts? I'd love to hear your suggestions.

10 years ago

Shopping

11 replies

Latest reply was from Astrid

Carole

Veteran

I'm not sure of the climate where you live, but I find a trench coat with zip out wool liner to be the most versatile...you can where it with everything and it works for 3 seasons in the Pacific NW. I just added my third this year...I don't know how I have ever gotten by without them:)

10 years ago

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks. We have four seasons here and I was looking to replace my wool coat, so I want something I can wear when it isn't below freezing. For that I have a puffer coat. It doesn't need to be rain proof, because I'm always taking an umbrella with me in fall/winter.

10 years ago

bj1111

Veteran

for a coat to wear with skirts and pants, something that is just above the knee or at the knee would work well with both--i have a thing about a skirt not being covered by the coat. i think most of your skirts are around the knee. midthigh coats which have been popular over the last few years work best with pants.

re the silhouette: something slightly shaped at the waist or slightly a-line would be super flattering.

have you seen angie's blog post on coats?

10 years ago

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks! I agree that (just above) knee length would probably be the most useful. There are a few more longer coats in the stores from what I've seen so far, so that might be doable. I've seen the blog post, but those are either not what I'm looking for or too expensive (plus the hassle with international shipping).

10 years ago

Diana

Veteran

I think either a trench coat style or a classic, single-breasted tailored princess cut like the J Crew Lady Day coat. You can get something with more arty styling in the closure if you prefer in the same general shape. My black coat is basically shaped like the Lady Day but has a pleated asymmetrical closure.

And I agree that just about knee length is ideal.

ETA: added another find for a black coat that looks quite similar to mine. You can see it has interesting details but is still basically a princess shape. I might try this one actually as my old black one is getting a bit worn.

J.Crew

Double-cloth lady day coat with Thinsulate

$388.00 $369.99

Sale

View Info

Top Pick

Nordstrom

Guess Wool Blend Asymmetrical Military Coat

$300.00 $199.89

Sale

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Top Pick

10 years ago

Alassë

Veteran

I agree with Carole and Diana.

10 years ago

K. Period.

Veteran

I was going to post exactly what Diana linked to. The shape of that coat is very classic, but also modern enough to bring a current vibe to older pieces.

10 years ago

Anonymous

Another vote for the classic, shaped coats like Diana linked to.

10 years ago

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks everyone! And thanks Diana for posting the finds. I think you are right and a classic shape like the one shown, maybe with some modern details, would be a good idea. Let's hope I find something that fits and is in the budget.

10 years ago

Sam M

Active Member

You say a fit-and-flare style coat might go best with your skirts-- is that because your skirts are flared, and you need room to accommodate the fabric? I've found that a knee-length, slightly A-line coat that only buttons to about hip height works best for me, because the bottom of the coat, being unbuttoned, can flare out a little to fit over bigger skirts. And it's a classic silhouette, so it would work with pants, too.

10 years ago

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Sam. I'm wearing mostly full and flare skirts, I don't like pencil skirts much. I was thinking fit and flare both for the skirts and because those are just easiest to fit on my pear shape. And one with the buttons not all the way down is a good idea! I did have one in the past that was double breasted until the waist and then just fell down, I liked that one.

10 years ago

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