Warming Trend: Hot choices on coat racks this year
Published: November 06, 2009, 7:27 am
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All the trends you're seeing in women's fashion — plaids, animal prints and, of course, ruffles — aren't just for shirts, dresses and your favorite accessories.
They also add some fun to this year's crop of coats.
As the weather turns cold, women heading to the coat racks will find these trendy looks as well as enduring classics.
"There's a coat for every character," said Joan Fedyszyn, buyer for the women's department at O'Connell's clothing.
Belted coats. Duffel coats. Quilted coats. Faux fur, leather and so much more.
This season, "We're seeing a lot of metallics — the silvers and purples. They're shiny, and people love them," said Tracy Coene, vice president of Park Avenue Coat Co., an off-price retailer with locations at 2300 Hamburg Turnpike, Lackawanna, and 144 William St.
"With wool coats, plaids are huge. And there's a lot of attention to detail; the military style is coming back for women," she said.
That means epaulets and metal buttons (more on those later).
Pea coats pop up everywhere, providing versatility (they go with so many things!), function and, for those who choose, a shot of color to the wardrobe.
At JCPenney, the St. John's Bay pea coat comes in classic colors such as navy and black but also Wild Green (lime), Orange, Chic Red (deep red), Melrose Fuchsia and Violet Whimsy.
Besides unexpected color, another twist on this traditional topper is that some are fashioned with a pleated or skirted effect at the bottom.
Others are swing-style or have wider sleeves, Coene said. So while traditional pea coats were a big trend a few years ago, this year it's all about the twists.
Belted trenches and duffel/toggle coats also fit into this utilitarian trend.
There's also a very feminine side to coats.
Collars often are large, some dramatically so. Portrait collars on some coats may surprise you, while wing collars spread across the shoulders. Popular, too, are high collars, usually on the slimmest coats.
Waistlines often are cinched or belted — with either a matching tie belt or a coordinating one in patent, mock-croc or matte leather.
And ruffles — yes, you read that right — also trim coats in surprising ways. You'll find them on wool coats, as well as fleece ones.
At TYORI, an upscale women's clothing store at 5841 Transit Road, East Amherst, ruffles dress up one black fleece coat well-suited to fall weather and priced at $150.
"It's made of sweat shirt fleece, but it's highly styled with nipped-in waist and ruffles going from the back of the neck all the way down the front to the hem," said Tamara Olivieri-Woods.
"It's perfect for throwing over jeans and boots and running to Wegmans," she said.
Faux fur continues to be a big trend, as does leather, Coene said.
With leather jackets, "the new fitted biker style is really big this year. A lot of women are wearing them more for dress, throwing them over a strapless dress," she said.
Strapless in January? Brrrr.
Here are some other coat trends for this fall and winter season:
• Animal prints: You've seen them on lighter-weight fall trench coats. Now you see them on heavier wraps. At Macy's, a wool-blend double-breasted coat by Calvin Klein features an all-over leopard pattern and a modifed portrait collar. You'll also find animal prints on coat linings and even some buttons.
• Quilted coats: A favorite in this climate, quilted styles range from short puffer coats — great with jeans — to above-knee, belted styles designed to look dressier while beating the chill.
The women's department at O'Connell's clothing is one place that sells down coats — some quilted, some not. One collection is from a Montreal company.
"These are not the 'Michelin' coats of the past. They are fitted and beautifully made. They don't have to be puffy to be extremely warm," Joan Fedyszyn said.
• White: This season offers its share of white and winter-white coats, but they do have a drawback. They're white. Depending on the fabric, they may require dry-cleaning. Depending on your lifestyle and habits, that may be frequently.
• Plaids: Plaid coats — especially black and winter white — not only are popular for grown women but their daughters as well.
• Just plain pretty: That's the best way to describe this season's crop of ladylike coats. Just one of them: Old Navy sells a wool-blend coat with bell sleeves and oversized buttons that is hemmed just above the knee.
• Military styling: Details include strong shoulders, sometimes with epaulets, and bold metal buttons.
Delias sells military pea coats with epaulets on sale for about $70; a version with Thinsulate insulation is about $90. Both come in several colors (check it out at www.delias.com).
At TYORI, Olivieri-Woods sells an above-the-knee chocolate brown wool coat trimmed in leather from Rudsak, a Canadian company. It, too, has military detailing.
"It's very structured with higher armholes — very European-inspired. You can throw this coat on, belt and button it up, add a matching knit cap or beret, and walk out the door looking completely polished," she said.
At $600, it's an investment piece "but a timeless one you can wear year after year," she said.
Picking a winter winner
In the market for a coat?
A good strategy for many women is to have one dressy coat and one casual, said Joan Fedyszyn, buyer for the women's department at O'Connell's clothing, 3240 Main St.
"The main thing is, 'What is your life really like?'‚" she said.
Are you in and out of the car a lot? Do you wear more trousers than skirts in the winter? Do you walk to work — or spend a great deal of time walking the dog?
Before you fall in love with that snazzy puffer or cocoon-like blanket coat, think about your lifestyle.
Your coat should match it.
Here are some of our other favorite tips:
All the trends you're seeing in women's fashion — plaids, animal prints and, of course, ruffles — aren't just for shirts, dresses and your favorite accessories.
• Move around while trying on your coat. See if the handbag or tote you normally carry fits over your shoulder. Swing your arms. The fabric should not pull across the back area, around the hips or in the armholes.
• If you are in and out of the car a lot, consider a shorter coat in a fabric that glides easily over car seats. If you walk to school or work, or spend time at bus stops, a long coat that closes fully may be best.
• Test out the hardware; buttons and zippers should work easily. Also, linings should feel soft, not scratchy. Stitching should be even, seams smooth.
Finally, if you don't like to wear hats, choose a coat with a hood. If you tend to lose belts or get them stuck in the car door, go beltless — even though those belted styles look awfully cute.
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