My Current Style Idée Fixe: Statement Coats
If you HAVE to wear one...might as well make it fun, fabulous, and YOU.
My love of coats is probably in my DNA. My grandpa & grandma had a marvelous collection of coats, blazers, and jackets. So unique, well-fitted, and worn for years and years. Outerwear for different occasions. I’m proud to own my grandpas Levi denim jacket he wore with his typical daily “uniform” of slacks, a Wrangler button down, leather cowboy boots, and a slightly tipped Stetson atop his head. Occasionally there was a bolo tie and leather vest added if he was “dressing up”. This Levi jacket is perfectly worn in, oversized (for me anyways!), and while it is most likely older than me it has so much life left in it and I plan on passing it to one of my children…MANY years from now ;)
Outerwear has such a long history in fashion and while it has taken many forms, functions, and styles over the centuries it is a useful garment that has the ability to bring it’s own panache to your ensemble.
As I’ve been experimenting with statement coats I’ve rented from Armoire recently, it reminds me of the by gone age in the United States of an outfit based around a coat. We still see it occasionally at events like Inauguration Day and other special winter events, but most of the time when individuals in the United States select a coat it is more for function than style.
And I get it. We here in the USA are ALL about practicality, form, and function. Especially if you don’t live in a walkable metropolitan area, a coat is used for going in and out of places and not something to express personal style. Having lived the past 7+ years of my life in mountain regions where people prioritize outdoor recreation winter clothes over a more personal style choice, I rarely see statement coats anywhere. It’s a sea of neutral tone puffer coats with faux fur trimmed hoods. Occasionally there’s a pop of red or yellow…but the silhouette and purpose is no different than all the other coats.
Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against those coats. They do their job well. My ski coat is incredibly warm. But it’s not “me” and it is absolutely nothing special to look at. So here’s my question: since we HAVE to wear them from time to time, why not wear something you LOVE and says something about YOU? And yes it can still be functional for keeping you warm.
Before I continue on, here’s some pictures of First Lady’s over the years and their fabulous Inauguration Day coats. I don’t even care what side anyone is on. Style and fashion can and should be celebrated no matter what. And these ladies all have an outfit I admire for many reasons. (All these pictures are from a recent article on USA Today.)
Of course in my opinion some of those who do tailored, polished, and classy coat outfits best are those who live across the pond. Specifically those in the Royal Family. They will forever be my coat outfit inspiration!
But in the US, like I said above we often prioritize function and practicality over style. So our statement coats might look slightly different here. I even have a board on Pinterest dedicated to coat style and I have thoughtfully pinned many outfits that are more in line with our more loose & relaxed American style over the polished styles we see elsewhere in the world.
If you are wanting to dabble in the realm of statement coats and occasionally leave your puffy coat at home, I have a few tips for you to get started!
Consider your closet: observe your closet before you dash off to “add to cart” or hit the stores. What textures, colors, prints, lengths, details would best go with what you already have in your closet? If you have a color of solids & neutrals, consider a pop of color or even a print. Or perhaps a neat texture like wool or faux fur. Remember you are looking for a statement coat…not a blend in coat ;)
Consider yourself: are you more into classic lines of trench coats, princess cut, pea coat, or swing coats? Maybe you like a more modern tailoring of a reefer or cocoon coat (single breasted only one-two buttons) or duster coat. Whatever your particular style leans towards, start with those styles. Read more about Personal Style by clicking below…
Consider investment: what I am NOT suggesting here is jumping on a trend and motoring off to Target or Kohls to purchase a poorly-made statement coat that will not last season to come. (Remember a couple years ago when the “teddy bear” coat was thing? Really there’s nothing wring with the style, but most of the ones I saw were very poorly made and probably wouldn’t keep you very warm.) Either because of the poor construction or the lack of style. When you invest in a high quality coat, it will not only be made better, and of better materials, it will do a better job of its…well, job. A coat after all should keep you warm.
Consider shopping second hand: the previous point brings me to this one. Thrift stores, consignment shops, vintage boutiques, estate sales, grandparents closets, sometimes even antique stores are great places to begin your search for a statement coat. Often coats made before this current time are made of higher quality materials and better construction.
Consider renting: another excellent option that I highly recommend is to give clothing rental services a try. Especially if you enjoy being a little more trendy and enjoy trying out different types of styles. Renting would be especially advantageous if you are still on the fence about the whole statement coat thing. You can give a few coats a try before you commit to adding one to your closet permanently. I’ve been so happy with Armoire and recommend it to everyone!
Consider fabrics: Obviously the less materials used in the makeup of the garment, the better. Kind of like food ;) The best materials for coats are the natural ones: wool, cashmere, cotton, silk, and if you are looking for a puffer coat, stuffed with down feathers. It’s very hard to find coats that are 100% natural materials so there will most likely be some poly blend going on especially in the lining. My one recommendation is to stay away from acrylic anything as much as possible. It is not conducive to keeping you warm and because it is not breathable can cause skin irritation. So whether it’s a coat or sweater, pass on acrylic garments. (More info on why you should avoid acrylic clothes)
Here’s some more fun cats I’ve been wearing from Armoire…
I have to say I still think about the two plaid coats on the left. Something similar may find a permanent home in my closet one day :) Of course I always love my basic khaki trench coat. While it may not feel like a “statement” I think it has a much more tailored and clean look than many winter coats out there. So if you want to try something different, I highly recommend starting by looking for a trench coat next time you hit the send hand shops!
Don’t forget to check out my Pinterest board for some coat inspiration! Don’t be afraid to stand out this winter. Be the only one wearing a bright yellow pink coat in a sea of brown, black, and forest green puffer coats. Wear the fun print coat you scored at the thrift shop with jeans and tennis shoes to the grocery store. Life is the occasion. Wear the fun coats. Go be intentional. I bet you’ll inspire someone else to wear fun coats while you’re at it! And feel free to share your statement coat outfits with me. I’d love to see them!
Winter is more fun with a statement coat!
Loved the photos of the First Ladies…so many chic looks! Recently I spotted a long trench in the most delicious moss color from Able and COULD NOT stop thinking about it, so when I saw it go on sale after the holidays, I snapped it up. It feels very ‘me’ ☺️