How To Find The Perfect Winter Coat For Your Body Type

It’s that time of year again to look into buying a winter coat.  I have a few coats in my closet that I know I probably shouldn’t be wearing.  They make me look bigger than I am and they just feel sloppy on me.  I finally found a guide to helping pick the perfect winter coat for your body type.  There are four general body types.  The way clothes fit will either enhance or hide our assets.  The goal is to enhance the positives and hide my less than ideal body shape.  The perfect winter coat can help find that good balance for your body type.  Use the illustration above by Patty Sweeney and the body types and suggestions below for picking the perfect winter coat.

1.) Hourglass // Cinched Waist.  Hourglass shapes are curvy on the top and bottom.  This body type will need a flexible and comfortable winter coat.  A coat that has a tie waste is very flattering along with a fit and flare style.  A wrap coat is perfect and will accentuate the hourglass figure to make things look proportionate.

2.)  Triangle // Fit-and Flare.  Triangle body shapes are wider in the hip area and narrower at the shoulders.  Fit and flare winter coats are comfortable and more flattering than a straight up and down pea coats or puffer jackets which can restrict the hip area, making it difficult to move around freely.  A voluminous neckline with lapels or fur can create the hourglass illusion and balance out the volume from the flare coat.  Also winter coat styles that tie at the waist and flare out can be especially flattering.

3.) Inverted Triangle // Non-Bulky.  Inverted triangle shapes have wider shoulders and busts which make non-bulky winter coats preferred.  Make sure to select a winter coat with sleek lines and little or no details on top.  A classic button down coat without bulky pockets or a large neckline is very flattering because there is minimal volume on top.  Keep in mind that you do not want to draw attention to the top of the winter coat.

4.) Rectangle // Patterns, Volume & Texture.  I’m a rectangular shape and it is a straight up and down body type.  I do not have much of a waist line so I want to stay away from a cinched waist and focus on patterns, volume and lots of textures.  This creates an illusion of curves in the right spots.  A winter coat with volume in the collar or a pattern that draws attention to your waist will look flattering.

I hope this helps you find the most flattering winter coat this season.  Taking the time to finding the best fitting coat will help you feel most confident when going about your day.  It can be a long winter in the midwest, why not make sure you are putting your best foot forward. A great resource for dressing your unique figure is The Science of Sexy by Bradley Bayou, I highly recommend it! Good luck and let me know how you do!  Stay warm!