How to Wear Coats & Jackets for Fall Winter 2008
Outerwear Style Tips for a New Trendy Look
Nov 6, 2008
As the weather gets chillier the dress has had its moment. Instead, the hottest fashion piece this fall is the coat. Whether it be a jacket or manly blazer, military style, peacoat or trench; the humble coat is having a defining moment this fall and winter.
There are some amazing coats styles this season, picking up on the architectural trend. There is a sculpted modern take on tailoring with oragami-like folds and volumous necklines. Casual jacket sleeves should be rolled-up to the elbow and oversized, boyfirend blazers can double-down as dresses.
It's all about sculpted shapes, Mongolian furs and leather looks. Victor & Rolf and Jean Paul Gaultier as some real show-stopping coats from their Fall Winter collection whilst the biker jacket transcends seasons to toughen up a more feminine look.
Style Tips for Wearing Coats
Now is the time to play around with this season's new dramatic styling. Experiment with new silhouettes, see how you can wear the new volume and have fun with this fall winter's embellishments, fringes and furs. If you are not feeling too adventurous then go for this season's It-knit — a cardigan coat that flatters any age.
Architectual Collars, Shoulders and Sleeves
Many coats are real statement pieces with sculpted dramatic collars, full sleeves and wide shoulders. Pair this look with a sleek silhouette - simple dresses and opaque tights or skinny jeans. Avoid adding extra volume.
Coats as Dresses
Take a leaf out of Kate Moss’s look book. This season’s oversized blazers can be worn as a dress simply by adding a chic belt, fastened at the waist. Pop on a pair of patent heels and off you go.
Cardigan Coats
Cardigan coats are one of the biggest looks. Oversized cardis which keep you comfortable, snug and warm. Examples are Stella McCartney's oversized funnelkneck cardigan/jacket, or Missoni's brio double breasted cardigan worn with a wide belt at the waist. (Net-A-Porter). Belt-a cardigan coats for definition and wear them with elbow-length gloves. For an evening look, Net-a-Porter advises wearing it over a mini party dress.
Biker Jackets
Part of the rock-chic trend, the biker jacket is having its day. Not only for the 20-something fashionistas but 40, 50 and 60-somethings too. A well-styles biker jacket can transcend age groups and still look chic at 50, but choose one without too many embellishments. Pop it over this season's fashionble winter-garden print dress to toughen-up the look.
Trench Coats
One of the top ten fashion staples continues to get a makeover. Find them in berry colors, metallics too. Wear a trench coat with this season’s fashionable knee-high boots. Burberry Prorsum do a gray textured velvet trenchcoat for extra elegance (Net-A-Porter)
Military-Style Coats
From long swinging admiral-style coats to the ever-popular peacoat to modern military-inspired pieces, which have been given a 21st-century look. Set them off with low-heeled riding boots and long leather gloves. This year they are fashionable in all colors. If you love military-style embellishments with epaulettes, braiding and brass buttons then check out Stella McCartney’s felt military coat, many high-street labels have copied this look. Juicy Couture do a classic double-breasted cashmere blend ¾ length coat which really slims the silhouette. For something more unusual then there’s Alexander McQueen’s military tail-coat. All can be found online at Net-A-Porter.
Shaggy Furs and Fringes
Love them or loathe them, shaggy Mongolian furs hit it big in outwear this fall. Yeti-like coats, such as Chloe’s exotic Mongolian Shearling coat with crystal embellishments have struck a cord with those that love vintage. Whether it’s a throw-back to 60s styling, or part of today’s neo-fold trend the Maje Carlinda Mongolian lambswool Gilet is proving so popular it is currently sold out. Wear furry, shaggy waistcoats with knee high boots, especially those with boho-fringing. Wear shaggy waistcoats over long-sleeved dresses for a trendy, quirky-edge. Add a Cossack-style hat or slouchy boots if you want the full-on folky look. If the whole Mongolian ensemble is too much then there's Alexander McQueen's brightly colored tapersty cardigan coat with Mongolian shaggy trim.
Ruched-up Sleeves
Jackets and blazers take on a more casual look, with sleeves that should be rolled or ruched-up. Net-A-Porter, in its November 52008 weekly online fashion magazine, “Fast Fashion Now – 7 Steps to Super Style,” refers to this new trend as a “dash of insouciant chic.”
Cinch-in Waists with a Wide Belt
The wide belt is to fashion accessories what the coat is to fashion. Waist-defining belts cinch in even the most ample or boyish figure and give you waist definition you never though you had. Many coat styles have full, flared skirts this fall. It’s time to belt-up coats and jackets for a fit and flare shape.
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