Many of you have requested that I write an article on how to choose the right coat for your body type.
Depending on what you want to emphasize (or not) in your figure.
So, the topic of this article is the best coat for your body type.
You probably recall the body types I’ve used in earlier articles, the usual ones. They can be found on this website.
Hourglass, pear, rectangle, apple, inverted triangle. On popular demand, I’ll also include some views about curvy, petite, and tall bodies. These aren’t real body types, but they are important when choosing clothing and thinking about proportions.
Pear
A pear body comes first.
That’s when your hips are wider or larger than your bust and waist measurements.
Here, I’d aim to draw attention to the torso area and increase volume there.
A motorcycle jacket, for example, is usually constructed to impart bulk to the shoulders through padding. Padded shoulders offer you an inverted triangular shape.
Biker jackets are so popular right now that you’ll see them everywhere.
Make sure the hem, or bottom, does not terminate at the level of your hips, as this is already your widest point, so aim higher.
However, have you noticed that most biker jackets are cut higher? That is ideal for pears.
If you want something warmer, a coat with a large hood is a good option. It has more impact. It appeals to me.
The edge becomes fuzzy and shaggy as it closes. It gives the top more volume and is ideal for the Canadian/Scandinavian cold.
Rectangle
You’re a rectangle if the difference between your waist measurement on one hand and your bust and hips measurements on the other hand isn’t too great, and you’re fairly straight.
Belted coats would be appropriate in this situation. A belt can help to define the waist and emphasize the distinction between the waist, bust, and hips. As a result, it adds femininity.
Now, what about those of you who don’t wish to appear more feminine?
You can go for an extremely long, straight, slightly flowy, probably fitted coat if you are a super long and slim rectangle and want to showcase that even more.
Apple
You have an apple body type if you tend to gain weight around your waist.
In that situation, I’d go for a swing coat, which has a really unique shape. The swing coat fits snugly around the bust, then falls straight till the waist, then flares out dramatically.
When wearing that coat, the skirt part usually seems like you could twist it to make it move with you. The name swing coat comes from this.
In terms of length, I’d go for something around the knee length. Except for petite women, longer looks slimmer. I’ll get to that in a minute.
Inverted Triangle
Technically, the inverted triangle is the polar opposite of the pear, thus your bust is larger and your hips are smaller. That’s the athletic type.
I see two possibilities in this scenario.
A trapeze shape is the first. Because it runs down straight and wide, it usually does not follow the contours of the body.
I prefer double-breasted and stiffer variants. A thick wool coat is one of my favorites since it preserves its shape and keeps you warm.
That’s something you’d generally see in a Paris office. It’s a classic Parisian style.
You might even belt a bell-shaped coat if you prefer. You can even put pockets on the outside. Around the hips, this gives fullness and femininity.
The trapeze and bell forms are obviously two distinct alternatives. It depends on your preferences, however I believe that both options are beneficial to your body.
Hourglass
You have a slim waist in comparison to your bust and hips, making you the ideal body shape for tailored coats.
It’s up to you now.
Do you want to draw attention to your waist and opt for a sexier look? You can belt it if you want a sexier variation.
Or do you prefer to keep things more relaxed? Then go for a straighter cut to lengthen your silhouette.
On a straight fitted coat, I think a length below the knee or even longer looks extremely exquisite.
A wrap coat will complement your figure just as well as a wrap dress does. This will give you a 1950s-style look. That appeals to me.
Curvier
What if you’re a little curvier?
You still fit into one of the previously described types, but I would pay special attention to the waistline fit. I wouldn’t go for a tight fit; instead, I’d want to go down and flare up a little, similar to the apple body.
On your silhouette, where are your curves? If you’re more of a busty type, stay away from lapels that add volume. Furry collars and double breasted designs should be avoided since they will make your bust appear larger than it is.
Avoid designs that end in this zone if your curves are more around the hip area. Also, make it longer, knee-length or longer.
A colored closure or design accent put in the front or back center of your coat will lengthen your overall silhouette. It could be a different-colored contrasted zipper or a large design detail like a ruffle, for example.
Petite
If you’re short, I’d go the other way in terms of length. I’d go with knee-length or shorter. The shorter the coat, the better.
Petite women frequently tell me that when they wear longer dresses, coats, or other garments, they appear to be wearing their mothers’ clothes.
You can avoid this impression by wearing a shorter type of garment.
Look at photographs of celebrities for inspiration, as they usually get the outerwear just right.
A fuzzy collar, something that goes a little higher up around your neck, also lengthens you, this time upwards rather than downwards, which is also beneficial. It’s warm and inviting, and ideal for the winter months.
Tall
Finally, big fitted coats are particularly interesting if you are tall because they appear to “minimize” you.
If you check for oversized garments, you’ll notice that they’re usually longer, which means your back will be appropriately covered, and the sleeves will be longer, which is ideal for avoiding the perennial problem of having sleeves that are too short.
That’s all there is to coats. You may have noted that I wore appropriate winter outerwear: warm and with long sleeves.
Lighter coats and cropped tops would be more of a fall or spring style for me.
As a result, I’ll address that in a separate article. For the time being, it’s all about layering and feeling warm.