As well as being a practical item of clothing, a coat is the first thing that people see when you meet them, so in my opinion it’s well worth investing in a coat that suits you.
So which colour should you choose? First and foremost, I’d say that it should be a colour that you like and that is also going to be practical for how you spend your time. If you spend a lot of time running around after children, walking dogs or in a job environment that calls for darker colours, then that is what you should choose.
If you are able to choose a colour that also suits your colouring, (your mix of hair colour, skin tone and eye colour), then all the better as it will most certainly help you to look and feel vibrant.
Here are some examples of coats to suit each colouring type:
There are such an array of colours and styles available, so rather than perhaps reaching for the black, navy or dark grey, why not add a pop of colour to your wardrobe this year?
As always, if you’re unsure of the colours that suit you best, book a colour consultation and take all of the guesswork out of the equation!
Choosing a coat to suit your body shape
As with any other element of clothing, it’s all about choosing the cut, style, length, fabrics, textures and patterns that you both like, (your personality always comes first in my book!), and that flatter your shape. Here are a few general guidelines:
If you have a straighter body shape, like a rectangle for example, then a simple straight-line coat with some waist shaping is perfect for you. You will look great in geometric shapes like the checks on the Phase Eight jacket below and can wear double breasted styles (so long as you don’t have a very full bust).
If your shoulders are broader than your hips, like an inverted triangle, then keeping shoulder details to a minimum and opting for simple revered collars will work a treat. You can add details on the hips to show off your fab hips/bottom half and/or choose a flared hemline to create balance with your shoulder line.
An hourglass is a curvier shape so suits cuts that follow, rather constrict curves. Shawl or rounded collars are flattering and a belt or shaping at the waist is a must to show off your curvy figure. If you are a neater hourglass you’ll find most coat styles will suit you (just be wary of losing your shape in anything too boxy and voluminous). If you are a fuller hourglass shape with a lovely full bust, you’ll find that open necklines and single breasted, rather than double breasted styles, will feel more comfortable and often look more flattering.
If you are very lean and have a straighter rib cage, you’ll most likely have a lean column body shape. You’ll look lovely in coats with lots of shaping that add curves. The Joe Browns coat below is perfect with it’s details, texture and pattern. The fur at the hemline also adds width and so helps to create a more defined waist.
If you are more of a pear shape, with hips/bottom wider than your shoulders, then a coat that draws the eye upwards and softly glides over your hips is ideal. By choosing styles that appear to add breadth at the shoulder line you will create a balanced silhouette. This Boden coat has wide lapels, high flap pockets and an A line shape that will be very flattering.
The simple deconstructed Cos coat shown below is the perfect shape for you if you have an apple body shape. Simple styles that hang from the shoulder line and create vertical lines down the body are particularly flattering.
If you’re unsure of your body shape, book a style consultation and you’ll learn all about the cuts, necklines, shoulder lines, tops, skirts, trousers, dresses, coats, jackets and fabrics, patterns and textures that suit you.
Puffer Coats
I couldn’t write a blog about coats, without also talking about the oh-so-warm and very on trend puffer coats!
They are a bit of a ‘marmite trend’ – some people love them and others totally dislike them – but there are soooo many around at the moment, so I thought that they deserved a mention.
So here are the key things to think about if you fancy giving one a try:
* volume – by nature, puffer coats add volume! Be careful that they don’t overwhelm your frame or add bulk in areas you may prefer not to do so.
* material – if you want to keep warm but don’t want too much bulk the ultra light down styles are great. I have a Uniqlo ultra light down jacket and can highly recommend it – warmth without bulk.
* to belt or not to belt? – a belt will show off the waist area so is great for curvier shapes that want to highlight their waist, but be careful if this is not an area you want to draw attention to. Styles without belts may well be preferable.
* colour – there are some great colour options so be brave and try something other than the neutral shades of black, navy and grey! Some of the uniqlo jackets come in 9 colourways!
* although not a coat, a light down gilet is a fabulous addition to a wardrobe, as it can then be worn as a layer underneath your coat, meaning that you don’t have to wear a very heavy coat.
Good luck looking for your next coat!
To see a fuller selection of coats, including longer styles, trench coats and short jackets, simply click here: Pinterest – kerrielellis.