Instagram and TV commercials would have us believe that winter begins the day after Halloween, but did you know, it’s not even winter yet? Winter officially begins, December 21st the day of the winter solstice. For those of you in the Midwest and Northeast that have already had multiple snowfalls and winter-like conditions, I don’t blame you for convincing those of us in rest of the country that winter has already begun!
It is however, finally starting feel like winter here in Southern California. And what I mean by that is, it’s as low as the temperatures will drop around here all year! It’s finally weather appropriate to break out the winter wardrobe. If you follow my blog, you know how I feel about winter (NOT a fan). As a petite, it’s difficult to wear heavy, multiple layers of clothing without appearing bulky and overwhelming my petite frame. I still struggle to put together outfits that keep me warm AND compliment my figure.
Luckily, living in Southern California I don’t have to worry about that too much, but I do travel to New York City often where I do wear traditional winter clothing. I have an upcoming trip to the city in the middle of January; right smack dab in the dead of winter! As I start to plan outfits, I thought this was a perfect time to do a post on coats. I’ll share what coats I am bringing, some of my petite styling secrets, and how I’ve learned to find items that have that flattering fit.
White & Black Patterned Coat
I love the pattern of this coat, and the fact that it is black and white makes it easy to pair with a number of different outfits. I usually shy away from cheaper coats because they usually itchy, poorly fitted, and made out of low-quality materials that don’t keep you warm. This one is an exception. It has a great fit, and even though it isn’t made of the highest quality fabric, it still keeps me warm. Want to know the craziest thing about this coat? It is a girl’s size from SHEIN! In a previous shopping guide post, I discussed how I often shop on SHEIN’s girl section to find better fitting items at a fraction of the price. This is another example of an amazing find! If you are petite, coats are definitely one item you should consider shopping for in kid’s/girl’s sizes. For some reason, I find the selection of petite coat styles limited. You can find them in traditional department stores and online retailers that carry petite lines, but I tend to find that:
- One: They fly off the shelves because there is usually a small stock of sizes.
- Two: Brands often only carry a limited number of styles in petites so you don’t have a lot of choices. This is particularly true if you are in-store shopping in places likeSouthern California, where finding coats is hard enough as it is.
For some other odd reason, I still find petite sized coats to fit a little big on me. I think they might be a great fit for women 5’4-5’3, but for those of us 5’2 and under, the measurements tend to skew large. Kids sizing is a great alternative. Not only is the overall length and sleeve a great fit, the breast and bodice tend to be sized better on smaller frames. Surprisingly, many retailers carry the same styles of coats in kids as they do adults like this one from Shein. I first discovered it in women’s sizing. Then, when I did a search in girl’s I came across the exact same one. I find that Zara also has a good amount adult coat styles in kid’s sizes, or ones very similar.
Tan/Carmel-Colored Coat
Brown/tan colors are super on-trend this season. Teddy coats are a particularly trendy style that incorporate the brown/tan color. I LOVE that trend (more to come soon on that;) ) but I know it’s a style that will quickly become outdated. A tan/camel-colored coat like this one, however, is something that will remain a wardrobe staple for years to come. I recommend investing in one that is the perfect fit. I got this one on Black Friday at a small boutique in San Clemente where I grew up. I was immediately attracted to the cut and fit of the coat. Single breasted coats, like this one, tend to fit better on petites than double-breasted which can give the appearance of added bulk in the middle. I particularly like this one, because it has a double button at the waist, which helps create a cinched waistline when buttoned. It’s a size small in regular women’s sizing, and if I am being honest, is definitely a little big. However, the cut is timeless so this is a piece that is definitely worth the money to get tailored. I usually try to do whatever I can to stay away from the tailor (I hate the hassle of going and spending extra money!) however situations like this call for it! If you live in cold weather that requires you to wear a coat approximately 6 months out of the year, not matter what your shape or size is, it’s a good idea to get a coat tailored to create that perfect fit. You basically live in it, so you want it to look good! Even though I don’t live in a cold climate, I see this one staying in my closet for a long time to come.
