Coat Styles for Your Body Shape
Flattering Coats & Jackets for Big-bottomed and Big-bellied Women
Nov 4, 2009
A winter coat is not something that should be bought on a whim, as it is probably one of the most major wardrobe purchases a woman willl make for the fall winter season.
Take time to choose a coat which makes a style statement, as well as providing warmth and durability. The right coat or jacket can add polish to any outfit and should camouflague figure flaws.
With so many styles to choose from it helps to have some guidlines when considering the best cuts for a particular body shape, whether it's to hide a big-bottom or big belly, or to flatter a petite, tall, curvy, pear-shape, big-busted or boyish figure.
Coats for Big-Bottomed Women
Coats with structured shoulders and big lapels will emphasize the top half of the body and bust and counter-balance a big bum. A wide waistband will focus eyes upwards and a belted coat will draw attention to the waist. Give the illusion of a longer legs and higher waistline by choosing a fitted jacket or coat which buttons up from just below the chest.
Avoid unstructured, oversized coats and those with drop waistlines or gathers below the waist, as these will broaden the overall silhouette. A simple straight-cut is best, ending just below the knee. A style with waist detailing such as a wide buckle belt will bring focus to the waistline rather than the butt and structured shoulders with wide lapels will balance out the body.
A big butt should not be covered up with a long-line jacket, as this will widen legs and shorten the body. Padded puffy jackets should also be avoided as these will give double-up bulk on both the top and bottom half. Shorter waist-nipping jackets that finish on the hipbone will flatter the waistline and draw attention upwards.
Coats for Big-Bellied WomenSingle-breasted coats with a high, wide waistband are some of the most flattering, as they will cinch in the waist and skim over the stomach area. Belted coats however, will draw unwanted attention to the belly. Detailing on lapels or the upper-half of the body, such as sculpted shoulders or an embellished color, will draw the eye up away from the tummy. Fall winter 2009's popular cape styles will skim over a large stomach and add some balancing bulk to the top half.
When it comes to jackets, draw attention away from the midsection by choosing a style which elongates the body and waist, by sitting high above the natural waistline. The hemline should finish at the base of the tummy, not half-way across it or above it, as in a cropped style. A 2-buttoned single-breasted jacket will serve to flatter rather than add bulk, whereas a double-breasted style will only add extra width across the stomach.
Whilst finding the perfect coat can be tricky, a coat should be special, so it is worth taking time to find the most flattering cuts and styles. It is worth remembering that of all the pieces in a woman's wardrobe a coat is usually the first thing and the last thing that people see!
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