Forget about the details, the color, the trim, instead look at the overall shape of your coat. If you want to update your closet for Fall 2014/15 the “U” is the silhouette is the way to go. This shape, otherwise known as “the Oversized” or “The Boyfriend”. It’s back and here to stay!
See by Chloé | Fall 2014 Ready-to-Wear Collection, Balenciaga Fall 2014 Ready to Wear, Carolina Herrera Fall 2014 RTW, Barbara Bui A/W 2014 / 2015, Kenzo Fall 2014, Stella McCartney Autumn / Winter ’14 / ’15, Lanvin Fall 2012 RTW, Christophe Lemaire prêt-à-porter automne-hiver 2014-2015
Credits:
Top to bottom L to R : See by Chloé | Fall 2014 Ready-to-Wear Collection, Balenciaga Fall 2014 Ready to Wear, Carolina Herrera Fall 2014 RTW, Barbara Bui A/W 2014 / 2015, Kenzo Fall 2014, Stella McCartney Autumn / Winter ’14 / ’15, Lanvin Fall 2012 RTW, Christophe Lemaire prêt-à-porter automne-hiver 2014-2015
The Standard
A friend of mine on Facebook made a hilarious comment about how she last went shopping in 2010!
I think we’ve all felt like that….
When you look into your closet and nothing feels up to date, or you’ve been wearing the same winter sweaters for years and you are SICK OF THEM. Not only that, but you are starting to feel like that manager you had a few years ago, who still wore her 1980s powersuits 20 years later and never updated her style….no wait….maybe I’m the only one that had that manager! She also never shaved her legs AND smoked in her office!
As I was saying….. You probably own this coat:
You know the coat I’m talking about. It’s black, it has buttons (or maybe a hidden zipper), it has a belt with a buckle and it comes down just below your knee and fits just fine.
Now, I’m not saying that this isn’t a nice coat. In fact, I own one that is VERY similar, and for posterity’s sake it was bought in 2005 and I still wear it every winter (Here it is with my designer hat, a Christmas gift from my husband last year)!
This coat may be nice but here’s the sad truth.
It’s a little outdated.
The problem with this coat is that NO MATTER what you are wearing underneath, no matter how trendy and totally “right now” your outfit may be, this coat says “I went to Zara in 2010 and never went back”.
The Coat Update – The OVERSIZED “U”
If you ignore the colors that are trending for this Season, the “heritage” fabrics, and “fierce” fur trim, what remains is the shape. Almost every single designer has included the “U” silhouette in their dresses, coats and sweaters for this season. I predict that it is here to stay for a few more years and I think now’s the time to invest.
I actually try to stay away from trends that I will hate in a few weeks / months or even a year’s time. However, you cannot deny that the “U” silhouette has officially been around for quite some time (technically since the 80s!), and just like skinny jeans, I predict that it is one shape that is here to stay.
Fashion forward types have embraced this trend, but the general population doesn’t exactly want to walk around looking “bigger” than they already are. But let me tell you, nothing says UPDATE quite like an oversized coat.
The Details:
- You’ll want to look for a coat that has the shoulder seams OUTSIDE and not on top of your shoulders.
- You’ll want to spend the maximum amount you can afford so that the fabric quality and accessories are of excellent quality. If you can’t afford something new, there are great used options available, since this same silhouette has been around for a few years.
- Be aware, if you try to recreate this look with something thrifted that is obviously from the 80s. Although the “U” silhouette in the shoulders is the same the length/cut of the arms and length are different.
- If you don’t have a big Fall/Winter budget but you want to update your look, focus on one major purchase (like a coat, boots/shoes, or a bag) that will update your look instead of a lot of smaller/cheaper items.
- You’ll want to wear it OVER your shoulders in the Fall. I know, it feels a little too glamorous and silly, but why should the fashion bloggers have all the fun!
- You’ll want to shop now! Yes you can find last year’s oversized coats ON SALE, and they will be totally perfect this Fall.
- When it doubt, keep it BIG. Bigger is better and in the winter you can always layer a big chunky knit underneath.
My Picks for Under $150
I went through my favorite website and “shopped” it as though I were shopping for myself. I actually picked up my Fall oversized “U” coat a few weeks ago, it was a birthday gift from my mommy when she was in Modena! Thanks MA!
1// BNG Wool Blend Coat on sale from $201 to $109!
2// Minimum for $128, a Danish brand with reasonable prices and excellent design.
3// SHINE for $144, Virgin Wool and eco leather accents.
4// Aztec Flannel $96
5// Black and White Stripe Flannel $96
I also really wanted to share my Fall Rain Gear preparation, that I’m diligently working on! And I should let you know that I’ve been chosen by the Wowcracy site as one of their Trend Spotting bloggers. I’ll be blogging more about Wowcracy and what this is all about next week. It is a pretty cool concept, even though I think it is a little too rich for the average person’s blood!
Have a great Wednesday and happy Fall Shopping. I’ve already done my damage and am seriously considering another shopping ban!
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Link-ups!
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Visit their sites for some inspiration & to discover new bloggers!
Momma in Flip Flop’s Real Mom Style, Mama and More and Mother.Wife.Me’s #AllAboutYou, Style Elixir’s Style Sessions, and her Fab Favorites, The Pleated Poppy’s What I Wore Wednesday, My Girlish Whims’ Your Whims Wednesday, Because Shana Said So’s Random Wednesday, Get Your Pretty On’s I Feel Pretty, Perfectly Coutured’s Three-fer Thursday, Her & Nicole’s Lovely Thursdays, The Life of The Party’s Fashion Informant, The Penniless Socialite’s Look What I Got, Rachel The Hat’s Passion 4 Fashion, Mummy’s Got Style’s Fashion Friday, Musings of a Housewife’s Fashion Friday, Vodka Infused Lemonade’s Tres Chic Thursday, Fry Sauce and Grits’ Be You Tiful, Glossy Blonde’s Tuesday Pretties, I Do deClaire’s Confident Tuesdays