How to Look Stylish in your Winter Coat this winter

 How to Look Stylish in your Winter Coat this winter

As the snow lays thick on the ground in many cities, and there’s no sign yet of Spring, you’d better check that you’ve got a winter coat that is a) warm and b) fashionable. While winter coats are expected to last longer than a season, if your 2011-2 purchase was at the cutting edge of fashion you may find it turns head for all the wrong reasons! Check your wardrobe and if you think you need a new coat, there are some great fashionable bargains to be had as we move into mid-season. Just to reassure you, you don’t have to sacrifice fashion for bulk and warmth. Don’t just grab the biggest, thickest, warmest coat you can find- it will be unflattering and not make you feel good about yourself. Go for what’s known as a “statement coat”. It will be bold, possibly brash, and say “this is me- here I am!”

A statement coat can have rich detail, an intricate design and/or unusual patterning and a non-black dramatic colour. We look at three types of winter coat here; shearling, quilted and belted, and funnel neck.

The shearling winter coat/jacket originally hailed from New Zealand and Australia. An authentic shearling coat is usually made from tanned sheepskin leather and is lined with merino wool on the inside for warmth. However there are variations and you can rest assured that this rugged, outdoorsy look is sure to keep you both warm and stylish for the rest of this winter- and probably winter 2013-4.  A temptation may be to match the coat with shearling boots as well- but make sure they are a different colour or style. Two matching shearling items of clothing/footwear and it begins to look like a uniform!

You want to be warm, but you don’t want to be shapeless. The solution? Be quilted and belted! A quilted coat like this one will keep you warm, but not make you look like a swollen marshmallow Michelin-man because the contrast-coloured belt will help accentuate your waist, making it appear smaller. Nice!

Finally the funnel-neck. A not very flattering name for a great-look coat… we need to find something else to call them! It’s a coat with a high collar and slim silhouette and so gives off a long and lean look. An extra slimming effect can be simulated by wearing it with a slim fitted dress, skirt, or narrow trousers/skinny jeans. More often than not the style will be part of a Military jackets look which is one that is definitely “in” this winter. Here’s an example; a single-breasted coat with a line of regimented buttons and a high funnel neck.  I’d prefer it in a less neutral colour, but then again, you can match black with anything.

And now let’s assume you’ve acquired your winter coat and are looking for some embellishments to compliment it. Buy a versatile and fetching hat. A hat can instantly pull together your look- headgear gets noticed, often before anything else you are wearing. Ideally, you should purchase a neutral-toned hat that complements your coat.

Winter equals knitted Hats: In fashion right now are ones with Norwegian patterns and large knits; definitely able to make a Killing on the Bridge- if you get my (snowy) drift and TV reference!

Finally, add a scarf! They are great insulation against the wind, are relatively inexpensive and come in a variety of fabrics, colours, and styles. With a scarf, you can show your personality and keep your body heat in your jacket. If the scarf is the most colourful part of your winter apparel, then have it wrapped outside and flowing down your back, to be whipped in the wind as you walk. Scarf-strutting is a great outdoor winter pastime on the way to the mall or the club! Brrrr-Brilliant!

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