Winter is Coming. You Need a New Coat!

As I’m sure you have noticed, it is no longer summer, and cold weather is seriously on the way. And I’ll bet we are all doing the same thing — staring into our closets and saying goodbye to lightweight, frilly and fun clothes — and saying HELLO to sweaters-’n’-coats! What? Your last year’s coat is old hat? You can’t bear to wear it one more winter? Time for some Coat Shopping!

So, what shall we look for in a new (or new to you) winter wrap? Do we want to look our best? Yes, we do. Let’s talk about snagging the most flattering outerwear for YOU.

First of all, I want you to consider NOT getting your regular black coat. There are now other colors. I was in line at JoAnn Fabrics the other day (well, almost every day, it seems) and noticed every single body except mine was clad in black. Anyone and everyone can do well in black, but why not buck the trend and get something happy and colorful? Save the good black one for funerals, or business crap where you are attempting a low profile!

What a grand sight it is to see a vibrant scarlet coat against a dreary background! Or turquoise against a naked forest. Pink is also very haute these days — anything from a pale, sly pink to a screaming magenta. Not so bold? How about brown? It is often more flattering than flat black, and has many nuances. Or some kinda green — say, an olive wool for our less-than-lily-white girls? Or a deep forest green. Color! It’s what’s for dinner! I mean winter.

And what KIND of coats look the best on whom? Well, you just can’t beat a nice, crisply-belted trench coat! Never out of fashion, and for swell reasons. A well-fitted trench is not too stiff, just firm enough to look snappy, the belt cinches the waist and gives one that hour-glass look. Many have zip-in linings for those colder days, and perhaps a detachable hood. The snazzy details such as top-stitched cuffs and lapels, epaulets (the military-esque thingies on the shoulders), and a nice belt, is always classy, and can be playful as well. I do have a turquoise AND a deep pink trench, and their cheery colors help to combat winter weariness.

Always consider your height and silhouette when choosing your outerwear. If you are attracted to a swing coat, consider how it would look on a short person — more tent than one might like. A lovely lady named Mel, who is a tall drink of pink lemonade, can wear le swing with the best of them! A height-challenged person such as myself can kind of disappear in the swing coat.

A bomber jacket is a swell choice for many, but do consider how the puffiness above the waist, then the tightness at the waist cuts one right in half. The effect can be that of a marshmallow on pipe-cleaners. Short pipe-cleaners.

Puffy = bigger silhouette.

This brings us to so-called “puffer jackets and coats. I guess you see where I am going with this one. Sure, they keep you warm, but can endow one with a Michelin Woman shape. It’s rather like wearing the sofa. So, unless you WANT to look bigger, pass on the puffies.

Length is also a consideration — where a jacket or coat stops is where the eye goes. Should it hit you at the hipbone range, the cut can also halve one, and point up bigger thighs and le butt. Make sure your sleeve length is correct — just below the pointy wrist bone. Longer than this makes you look like you borrowed (or stole!) some bigger person’s garb, and too short looks like you bought it in the hope of “growing into” it. Save that for pre-teens.

Look great this winter in a well-fitted, flattering and maybe, just maybe, colorful coat!

Tags: fashion, featured, opinion, style

Category: Style, Transgender Fashion