SOS! Is this coat too big in the shoulders?

Fruitful

I need to know - I just found it, it's sale stock from 2011 so if I want it I should act quickly.

It's a size 3, approximately Australian 12, or US 8. I would have normally asked for the size below but there were none.

My friend said "it's cute!" then "Nup, it's too big, the sleeves are too long and it doesn't go in at the waist."

Well, most coats the sleeves are too long (I'll have to tailor whatever I get), and at least this coat fits my bum, which is really a size 12...even though my shoulders are 8-10...

So I'm really just concerned about the shoulders.

#1, #4, #5 and #6 were taken by the SA. #2 and #3, #7 and #8 were taken by me - note the mirror is slightly tilted.

Can you tell I'm enabling myself? So please be coolheaded for me!

TIA xoxo

Also, sorry if I haven't replied to you in my previous coat post yet! There was a lot to take in, I still haven't finished

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13 years ago

Shopping

44 replies

Latest reply was from Jonesy

Jilly

Active Member

I hate to say this, because it's a cute coat, but I really think it's too big for you . Are there other sales you could check out?

13 years ago

Fruitful

Veteran

Thanks for the quick response Jilly <3! I'm not worried about sales, the yellow coat caper I'm on is a long term project I just stumbled across this near my house! I am prepared to look for years if I have to...

13 years ago

Deborah

Veteran

I love it. I want it! Fruitful this is exactly what I imagined for you.

Shoulders look fine to me. Fit looks good and you will have room to layer under the coat. Sleeves are too long but as you mention that is a regular problem and can be fixed. The shape of the coat in #4 is lovely and I do think it gives you 'some' waist definition.

In reality you could have gone down a size (but I realise it's not available) but I don't think this swamps you. And again remembering we like to layer in Winter. I also don't mind coats being slightly oversized. I saw some great photos of two women on the Satorialist site in fab 'slightly' oversized coats and they looked oh so fashionable.

Have to ask you what label and where did you find it.

13 years ago

Deborah

Veteran

BTW if you love it... would it worth some alterations.

13 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

I think it looks too big too. I used to buy coats this way all the time (a little big) only to realize it later. It's a beautiful coat, though!

13 years ago

Jilly

Active Member

I'm still on the fence about this one - it's an adorable shape, but it might be expensive to alter because of iot being big all over. That being said, if you like wearing bulky sweaters in the winter it might work

13 years ago

Deborah

Veteran

Maybe I am just blinded by the color and how fab this style is on you. What are you wearing under it in the photos. It be good to see it with a proper winter outfit under it and then view the fit.

13 years ago

Fruitful

Veteran

Thanks Deborah, especially for your comments about the Sartorialist! I think I saw that, were they French women windowshopping?

My most flattering coat shoulder size is usually an 8, but that means armhole restrictiveness and tightness around the bodice (and definitely would not fit my hips in a straight style). So going with a 10 works, is a frrrraction big on the shoulder but not noticeably so; do you think it's okay to go up this much sizewise? (not doubting you - just genuinely clueless!)

Yes, I want to be able to layer and and not feel restricted.

It is Obus, an amazing local label. Therefore it's still not cheap onsale (375 reduced from 550 or so) but I am prepared to shell out for the right coat.

13 years ago

(website)

Veteran

I think it's a tad too big. I just had a situation where I swapped the coat off my back and I thought it fit okay . . . until my friend who is half a foot taller than me filled it out wonderfully. Oops.

13 years ago

Fruitful

Veteran

Una, thanks for your experience! Did you do the same thing, fall in love with something but bothered by the size once you owned it?

Jilly, good point about expense. But this is why my question is mainly about the shoulders, because people say they're hard to alter while other things are less so. I don't wear lots of bulk usually, just a few layers; it's mainly the feeling of ease and not feeling constricted I'm wanting. But hopefully not too much at the expense of flattery.

Deborah, I am wearing a thin, cotton dress underneath that doesn't add bulk. As I said to Jilly, I don't usually bundle up that much, but I do want to feel comfortable, like I would be happy to throw it on if I felt sick or tired (as well as when I don't of course!)

13 years ago

Fruitful

Veteran

Great example Mo! It's true, when something looks okay but then we see it on someone it really suits - puts things in perspective!

13 years ago

Deborah

Veteran

Fruitful, yes they were. I copied the photos to my inspiration folder.

For the price, I would suggest you have to be 100% sure. In photos 5 and 6, I actually find how the coat sits very attractive but... its you buying the coat not me.
I have just relooked at Photo 1 and it looks like shoulders fit perfectly with the seams sitting where they should.

The general consensus seems to be it's too big.

13 years ago

Fruitful

Veteran

Deborah, I am not discounting your opinion! I also really like how the coat sits. I think the shoulder seams are a bit lower than the highest angle of my shoulder. But I'm not sure if that's a problem or not. I think the long sleeves are what my friend first saw and the reality is nearly every coat has long sleeves on me, so the shoulders are truly the issue (and also whether it looks good/bad on me generally - I think the former!)

Hmmm.....

13 years ago

Deborah

Veteran

Are they holding it for you??

What is your gut instinct?

I am having a boring day at work, so am going to have a look (on line) at how people are wearing coats at the moment to gain some perspective xxx

13 years ago

Fruitful

Veteran

Thanks sweet Deborah! xx I'm not sure if it's my gut but I have this "go for it" feeling :))) I didn't get them to hold it! But she said they could if I wanted them to. They go great with the cream boots

13 years ago

Deborah

Veteran

Yes I noticed the boots. They look amazing with the yellow. Are alterations out of the question? See i think the shoulders are fine. If anything maybe the side seams taken in a little. It could be worth the expense.

13 years ago

Deborah

Veteran

ok I want this one.... http://fashionbombdaily.com/category/coats/
Sorry I realise this isn't helping.. will keep looking.

13 years ago

Kate

Veteran

It's a gorgeous coat on a gorgeous girl, but in all honesty, Fruitful, I think it is too big on you overall, and may not be worth the expense of tailoring.

13 years ago

Scarlet

Veteran

Honestly, it's difficult to say because it looks like it is meant to have quite a strong shoulder line--they curve up a little, so the exaggeration may not be out of place. It does look a little loose and long in the body. If you wanted to tailor it, I think it could work. It is a really cute style and the color is great on you. Since you say it is hard to fit your shoulders and still have enou movement for the rest of your body, perhaps tailoring really is a good option.

13 years ago

ManidipaM

Veteran

I have to say I think it looks good to my eye! Not too voluminous at all. Particularly as I think with a coat, more than any other garment, you want to be able to sit down in it without having to unbutton --- defeats the purpose of warmth (did you try that?).

And the shoulder seems spot on. The exaggeratedly squared shape looks very stylish. I like that there's no pulling or sagging around bust and armholes too.

Of course it's possible for a coat to be much more fitted through the upper body; but is that necessarily the style this is meant to be or that you're going for?

I guess I need to look at more of Angie's own coat posts to adjust my eye as well.

ETA: I do take Una's and Mo's point. But may I point out that a 'too big' on Una, the IT, would be quite different from too big on Fruitful, the pear? What is likely to happen on Una is that with a good shoulder fit, the rest of the coat hangs loose. With you, if the bust and shoulder are not filled out right, you'd look crumply and baggy-waisted. I honestly don't see that problem here...

13 years ago

fashionista

Veteran

The cut and the color of the coat is cute. I am loving this. Can't you alter it??

13 years ago

Sylvie

Veteran

The first thing I noticed when I looked at it was the sleeves. They seem really voluminous. Then that lead me to look at the shoulders, which *did* look too wide.

On the other hand, slimming sleeves is easy and the shoulders may very well be the right size for wearing layers underneath. Is it possible for you to try the coat on with the heaviest possible outfit you'd want to wear underneath? If the coat is in store, could you go back in a blazer and jeans or sweater and jeans, etc?

13 years ago

Fruitful

Veteran

Thanks so much for all your wisdom! I am unable to reply to each post but I have thought about each one.

Manidipa - "I do take Una's and Mo's point. But may I point out that a 'too big' on Una, the IT, would be quite different from too big on Fruitful, the pear? What is likely to happen on Una is that with a good shoulder fit, the rest of the coat hangs loose. With you, if the bust and shoulder are not filled out right, you'd look crumply and baggy-waisted. I do take Una's and Mo's point. But may I point out that a 'too big' on Una, the IT, would be quite different from too big on Fruitful, the pear? What is likely to happen on Una is that with a good shoulder fit, the rest of the coat hangs loose. With you, if the bust and shoulder are not filled out right, you'd look crumply and baggy-waisted. I honestly don't see that problem here..." this makes a LOT of sense.

Deborah, I love Jennifer Lopez in that coat

I went back and put it on hold to think it over. BUT I also went back with my proper glasses on and they don't look so fab with it (which was the original impetus behind the yellow coat idea). I put all the pictures of yellow coats I've tried on together in an iPhoto album (including some I haven't posted here) so I could compare them at a glance. I love this coat but looking at all my pics I think it's not quite the right yellow! It makes a great green-tinged mustard, but that's not what I was after.

Will think it over some more, but a tide has turned in me and I'm thinking it's a no go

So sorry for wasting everyone's time - it hasn't been a waste for me though, I'm learning a lot! (1st learning being that sleeves are my nemesis ^_^)

13 years ago

Fruitful

Veteran

Aargh I still want it.... lol at my foolishness

13 years ago

Deborah

Veteran

Fruitful, no time wasted. It's a really important process when you are considering a financial investment. For your info, Katies have a yellow duffle coat coming out ready for mothers day. It's not unlike the one you posted previously and I have only seen a photo so can't vouch for it being the right yellow but it could be worth a look if you are still open to that style.

13 years ago

Fruitful

Veteran

Thanks Deborah! I will check it out; I'm keeping an open mind style wise xx

13 years ago

harmonica

Veteran

I'm sorry to say, but to my eye it looks a bit too big, but alteration could be an option. The sleeve length is very easy to adjust, and maybe also other adjustments

13 years ago

Fruitful

Veteran

Thanks Harmonica! xx

13 years ago

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

I think it is overwhelming for you. It should be a little smaller all over. Can you size down or is that not an option?

13 years ago

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