Choosing a coat

 

 

 

 

- If you're short: Avoid long cuts. Go for ¾ length, fitted coats. Avoid puffa jackets and any short or thick coats that could make you look broader.

- If you’re tall: Go for coats that make you look wider, like a trench. Don’t wear very long or tight-fitting coats, or coats that zip or button up the middle which can make you look taller.

 

- If you're full-figured: to lengthen your figure, go for visible borders, central buttoning and vertical lines. Horizontal prints are fattening and don’t enhance your shape! Shoulder pads can give a square appearance and attract attention to your top half. Trenches can work well, as long as they're loose-fitting. If you have wide hips or a bit of a tummy, get a coat in a slightly bigger size, in stiff (not flimsy) fabric to skim any lumps and bumps! 

- If you have large shoulders: Capes and ponchos fall over the shoulders and soften squareness. Don't do shoulder pads or fitted jackets: they accentuate your waist but highlight large shoulders.

- If you have a square, masculine shape: Go for a ‘princess’ shaped coat: round neck, fitted and flared at the bottom. Belts also make you look more feminine.

- If you are petite: Anything goes! Even puffy, quilted and duffel coats suit if you're slim.

 

White coat + pale complexion = no-no! Stick to colours that suit you.

 

If you have strawberry blonde hair, light eyes and a beige skintone, camel, dark chestnut, all greys and yellows, apricot and green will enhance your colouring. Browns are OK as long as you're not too pale. Anything chestnut, beige, camel and rusty coloured will bring out your natural colouring.

 

If you have light chestnut to blonde hair, light eyes and almost porcelain skin, go for light, cold blues, grey, burgundy and pink. Darker skin tones suit flashy colours such as fuchsia, purple, white and electric blue.

 

The further you go into neutral tones and fine materials, the less the slimming effect. Combine with dark colours to flatter your figure.

 

 

Anything goes clothes-wise. For the shoes, opt for heels or ballerina pumps. Heels will make you look thinner and ballet pumps are a godsend for tall girls (they can also dress down a look if you want a more casual feel).

Short coats
Boots, trainers, in fact practically all shoes are possible. Note that short coats are best suited if you have thin legs. Emphasise with skinny jeans or a skirt.
 

Avoid long dresses and revealing skirts which make you look heavier. Wear with jeans or trousers.