Dear Mattie:
Which style of coat should I buy this season?
Wanting to be Fashionably Warm in Pemberton
Dear Pemberton:
Ladies are layering clothes this winter. The look is to have many pieces show with your outerwear. This includes accessories like gloves, hats and scarves, but also collars and shirttails popping out and sometimes adding contrast to the look.
The theme in outerwear this season is luxury.
Luxury can be represented with many layers, styling and textures. This repertoire of outer pieces includes leather, wool and furry-looking things, all in a concise silhouette.
When choosing your outerwear, think of yourself being in a city like New York or Paris.
Don't think: "I can use this jacket to go hiking in."
The look of outerwear is sophisticated.
There is shape in the pieces this season, they do not hang off you.
They fit you.
The good news is that there are many silhouettes in fashion this season, allowing you to choose the ones that best suit you.
The most popular looks include the trench coat silhouette with a belted waistline.
If you don't like using the belt, leave the jacket slightly open because the A-line look is also in fashion. The best way to pull off the A-line silhouette is with a cape, which is very trendy this season.
The overall shape for outerwear this season is a clean silhouette. It is tailored and shaped.
The styling is curvy and voluminous, not straight and narrow. This creates a gentle swing when you walk.
As sophisticated as these pieces may seem, they are also lightweight and relaxed.
The luxury in outerwear exudes from the textures.
Fur still remains a status symbol but what's trending now is faux fur. The look is less conservative and more playful. Long-hair fur like a shaggy alpaca can be found in untraditional colours that do not have animal characteristics. This look is cheeky as it goes against the traditional impression of fur.
Other more traditional, yet still sophisticated textures are wool and leather.
Wool coats come in many colours as well as tweeds, with fun colours added in the threads. These coats range from hip length to right down to the ankle. Also, consider removing the belt that comes with the coat and add a leather belt.
Leather can be both traditional and fashion forward. Motorcycle and blazer jackets are definitely in fashion. But why not try something new? Leather is quilted and shinier this season, which makes the vest a fantastic option.
Leather is also available in many colours.
Both leather and wool jackets have shearling trim on collars and cuffs. This contributes to the luxurious element of this season's layering trend that you can see everywhere. And, don't forget the brass buttons.
Outerwear is sleek and detailed.
Last, but not least, are your accessories. Outerwear is not complete without gloves, hat and a scarf.
I say go for all of it. Most of your accessory pieces should be a colour that matches your coat. But, since I am a big fan of colour, consider one contrast colour that complements your coat.
Have some fun with your choices. Keep warm and look great. That is the best combination of all! Adieu, Mattie
Mattie à la Mode is a monthly fashion advice column. Mattie is a freelance writer and fashion expert. She can be reached via e-mail: [email protected] or you can follow her on http: //pinterest. com/mattiealamode/
