Womens Jackets & Coats

"Fashion Advice on How to Buy & Wear Jackets"

Courtesy of Macy's
Womens trench coats to blazers - womens jackets and coats are a big part of your daily wear, and buying the right style for your body figure is crucial to looking your best.

Want to look for the latest coat & jacket styles and shop instead?

On this page you'll find shopping tips on selecting the best jacket and coat styles for your personal style as well as fashion advice on how to get the most for your money!

Get tips on:

What jackets and coats to invest in
Selecting the right style for your body shape
How a jacket and coat should fit

Now let's take a look at a few tips that will help you to strategically update your outerwear closet:

Note: Jackets and coats will be mentioned interchangeably and also be referred to as "outerwear"

What Jackets & Coats to Invest In?

A denim jacket is a good investment for any fashion-forward woman

Courtesy of Nordstrom

If you want to get the most out of your money you first need to secure outerwear in neutral colors and without any super complicated details (if you have a rectangle body shape then you may be an exception to this) that cover your major daily activities and all occasions.

With me, I always make sure that my jackets and coats are simple because I would rather focus on the clothes underneath them, and of course, the accessoriiies!

You're going to take your jacket off anyway! (Well, except for blazers if they're a part of your ensemble) I simply use a coat to layer over my clothes when it's cold or when I need to tone down a trendy outfit.

How to Build a Solid Jacket & Coat Closet

Versatile womens jackets and coats are simple in cut and color. If you're on a budget or want to make it easier to mix & match your clothes in the morning, you'll discover how cost-effective and time-saving jacket essentials really are :-)

The Jacket & Coat Closet Essentials:

Wardrobe essentials outerwear jackets and coats

Black leather jacket
Blue denim jacket
Black blazer - dark navy blue also works as a dark neutral
Lightweight cotton jacket that works as a transition garment from Summer to Fall and can also be worn for Spring

Trench coat
Rain jacket/windbreaker
Parka coat keeps you warm during the harsh winter months
Wool coat for daily wear
Classic outercoat

Secure them in neutral solids such as black, dark brown, dark navy blue and beige/camel - which work well with absolutely everything you have in your wardrobe. Learn more about neutrals

For example, compare a classic black pea coat to a red coat. Red creates a fashion statement and often limits what you can wear it with.

Trendy red blazer versus a versatile classi black blazer

Plus, basics serve as outfit fixers - so if you find your outfit to be "too much" or "out there", a plain blazer jacket will tone it down.

Express Your Personal Style

After securing the basics it's time to go over to trendier styles - with details, and in fun colors. Or simply go for an updated look of your basics. Let your personal taste reflect your choice of outerwear and set yourself a part from the rest! Learn more on finding and defining your personal style.

Here are a couple of jacket and coat examples

Classy Clothing Personality

Courtesy of Forever 21, John Lewis
If you have a classy (also dramatic) then these types of womens jackets and coats will help reflect that.

Romantic Clothing Personality

Womens jackets and coats for women with a Romantic Clothing Personality

Womens jackets and coats for women with a Romantic Clothing Personality

Courtesy of Coast-stores, ModCloth
The cute and frilly details accentuate your romantic style. Balance out the look with slim and modern bottom to avoid going all cute on the look.

Trendy Clothing Personality

Womens coats and jackets for women with a Trendy Clothing Personality

Womens coats and jackets for women with a Trendy Clothing Personality

Courtesy of TheOutnet, Urban Outfitters, Jades24
If you're a trendsetter and love creating fashion statements, then these will draw attention and showcase your sense of style. Just go slightly easy on the color combos and accessories of your outfit to avoid distracting people from the details on the outerwear.

Create a Statement with a Bright Color

When it's dark and gloomy outside, and everyone's wearing black and grey coats - pull out something bright such as a pea coat in red or a cream winter wool coat. This'll cheer yourself and everyone up!

Make your coat a focal point - avoid any exaggerated details on the shoes or hat. If you want to create a fashion statement with a colored coat, take a look at the complementary color wheel for some color scheme ideas.

For example, if you're wearing an orange or red wool coat - wear it with olive green pants. And perhaps throw in a pink shawl for a maximum statement effect.

Or simply create a two-toned color impact with black and white/cream.

How to wear a white wool coat

For example, wear a cream coat with a black beret hat. Throw in a bright colored handbag for a splash of color. Or go the classy way with a leather handbag in basic brown.

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Dress Your Body Shape

I recommend you to take a look at your body shape and scale. It will give you better idea on what type of womens coats and jackets suit you.

Remember that it's all about balance. If your silhouette isn't proportional, then one of your body parts (upper, mid or bottom) will look heavy and become the prominent part of your silhouette! Click here for more fashion advice on how to dress your body shape

Here are a few examples of what jacket and coat styles complement the various body shapes:

Hourglass

Best womens coat and jacket styles for Hourglass body shape
Courtesy of Lagarconne

Your focus is to show off your well-defined waist. So look for womens jackets with a nipped waist. Belted coats look great on your body frame.

To really bring out your proportional body shape, I suggest that you avoid straight lines from your bust to your hips because this'll make you look boxy. Look for jackets and coats with a drapey fabric.

Wrap and shawl coats are some of your best bets. Also, opt for jackets that extend just below the hipbone or past the thighs.

Learn more on how to dress your Hourglass body shape

Pear

Courtesy of TopShop

Your goal is to draw the eye away from your wide hips by adding interest and creating curves on top.

The best jackets for you balance out your wide hips and thighs. Details on top help and so does rounded collars, along with a cut that accentuates your well-defined waist.

Look for details such as: Puffed shoulders and breast pockets. And select jackets that extend just below the hipbone or past the thickest part of your thighs.

Earrings, scarves and nice eye makeup also help draw the eye upwards.

Learn more on how to dress your Pear body shape

Inverted Triangle

Courtesy of Isabella Oliver

Your goal is to soften your wide shoulder line and make it look narrower.

Hip-length or longer jackets with flared hemline will flatter your body figure, because they create curves on your hips.

You're better off with womens jackets that have minimal details on top and more volume at the hem to "fill" out the narrowest part of your body.

You can also bring the attention down to your great legs with details and colors on the shoes or boots.

Learn more on how to dress your Inverted Triangle body shape

Apple

Courtesy of House of Fraser

Your goal is to slim down your mid-section and draw the eye to your shoulder/chest-area.

You look great in jackets that skim past your waist (eg. swing coat) and floats away from your hips to create hips. Also look for womens coats and jackets with interest around the shoulders and hem.

I also suggest winter wool coat nipped right below your bust (the area above your midriff). This helps conceal your heavy midsection. Clean and tailored help draw attention away from your waist.

Learn more on how to dress your Apple body shape

Rectangle

Courtesy of Zara

Your focus is to break up your silhouette to create curves from your waist up and waist down.

Try simple, tailored jackets with a nipped waist or flared hemline, to create curves.

You can also experiment with various details such as pockets, shoulder details, large buttons and double breasts usually enhance and add more weight to your upper body. Just make sure you keep your waist trimmed.

If you're petite avoid color-blocking and focus on adding texture.

Learn more on how to dress your Rectangle body shape

Advice for Petites

Best womens coat and jacket styles for Petites

Courtesy of Macy's

If you're 5'3 or shorter, I suggest jacket and coat styles that feature:

Minimal details to help you maintain a long, lean line
Nipped waists to keep you looking trim
Shorter lengths - the longest being below your thighs but not close to the knees
Vertical details that draw the eye up and down

Super-long and bulky coats swallow up your petite frame. However you can always add a pair of heels and wear a bottom that blends with the outerwear to make them work for you. Check out the Womens Petite Clothing Style & Shopping Guide for more fashion advice and recommendations

Tip:

Macy's

PS. to retailers: We would like more choices, please!

Advice for Full Figure Women

Best womens coat and jacket styles for Plus size

Courtesy of Nordstrom

The right jacket for your size depends on your body shape. But you should focus on coats and jackets that extend past the thickest part of your hips and thighs, to avoid widening your body frame.

Also look for details and prints that are scaled to your body size such as big lapels and prints. If you're Petite opt for medium scale but with vertical details.

See Shopping & Style Guide to Womens Plus Size Fashion for more fashion tips and recommendations.

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How a Jacket Should Fit

Measuring the dimensions of your body is quite vital when selecting a jacket. Unless you're going for that boyfriend-oversized look, knowing your body measurements is crucial to finding a jacket that fits and creates a pleasing, sleek line.

A big jacket can dwarf your look and a tight jacket can emphasize parts of your body that you don't like (plus it looks a bit tarty). Learn more about how to tell if a jacket fits

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