It is winter season people! Yes, winter is here and freezing temperatures are about to drop on us as sure as hot coffee is about to be in our hands on a boring monday morning. With the arrival of winter however it is not supposed to mean that you enter a dull mood.
There are a lot of things to look forward to and one of them is all the wonderful layers of clothing you will get to wear and flaunt. One of these wonderful items of clothing (winter clothing to be more precise), that is often overlooked is a good coat.
Sure, there are a lot of clothes made specific to winter, but nothing really comes close to winter clothing functionality quite like a good coat.
It is multi-purpose, keeps you warm and layered and sometimes adds a lot more style to your sometimes boring attire.
With so many things being brought to the table by a coat, it is imperative that we discuss the different types of coats and the points to remember while buying these coats in order to ensure you get the best of both sides while buying one.
The coats to add to your collection:
Toggle coats
When it comes to materials, we all know that wool is one of the best materials for winter coats because it has the ability to keep you warm throughout the day and even at night.
The Toggle Coats come in multiple colors right from different colors like heather black to orange-brown and is available from sizes 12 all the way to 32. The coat measures about 36 inches in length which means it goes all the way to your knees.
This ensures that your thighs also get some extra warmth. The collar design is a classic one coupled with a button-off hood. The coat can also be machine washed.
It is a classic choice and really popular among plus size ladies, which is a fair selling point if you are looking for a new and versatile coat addition to your closet.
Trench Coats
There are few toppers as iconic as the trench coat. No matter what you’re wearing, a trench coat will either make you look incredibly British like Alexa Chung or basically royal like Meghan Markle, both of which are things we could live with.
If you’re looking for a coat that will not only keep you warm but will also flatter your body shape, then the double-breasted trench coat will be perfect for you. The trench coats are available in a lot of different colors: black, cream and navy being among the most popular color choices out there for women.
Its full bell-shaped build helps to create an hourglass figure. The gold-tone buttons make this coat a luxurious one as it has deep, voluminous folds at the front making it high end. The styles have undergone change over time but the popularity of trench coats remains as high as ever.
The classic winter jacket
We know what you must be thinking! Why on earth is there a jacket in a list of coats. Well, because jackets come under the umbrella of coats and so we have to put it on here. A classic winter jacket with detachable hood is an excellent choice for the winter season as it’s made from wool to give you that extra warmth with little or no layering.
The jacket is, however, a juniors style and maybe a bit smaller a woman’s coat. It comes in a wide variety of colors, including different plain colors, some color combinations as well as a lot of different plaid options.
The hood has a faux fur and a detachable hood button for a little more warmth. Some of the jackets also have a waist belt that helps give your body a pleasing silhouette.
Denim jackets
Denim jackets have been around forever because they will never not be cool. Everyone from Marilyn Monroe to Madonna to Chloë Sevigny has worn a jean jacket, which is as good a case as anything for buying something.
And the best thing about a jean jacket is that there are seemingly limitless options. If you already have a lighter denim favorite, opt for a darker wash. If you’re tired of oversized jackets, get one with some details like shoelace ruching from some of the top brands affordable line. Denim jackets are really cool and will help you out even when winters are over.
Lite hooded jackets
No woman, regardless of size wants the extra weight that is as a result of having a puffy down jacket on their frame. These lite jackets come with a hood and keeps you warm just like a puffer jacket would only with a slimmer design.
The hood keeps your head warm, and it has zippered vertical pockets that you can keep your gloves or mittens when not in use. They come with interior pockets which make them a must have for the times of snowfall to protect your belongings and things like phones, I-pods and the rest.
From the interior pockets, you can be sure that your earphones or headphones will comfortably reach your ears. The coat is available for sale in four different colors and is available in a wide range of sizes.
The price of the coat is dependent on the color and coat size selected, which gives you a wonderful option of choosing according to your budget.
Points to remember while buying coats:
Bigger isn’t always better when it comes to coats
A winter coat or any coat for that matter that is too big, won’t insulate as efficiently as a coat that fits just right. All the open, empty space is like the water cooler hangout at the office, the cold air hangs out there and keeps your coat from being productive and efficiently keeping you warm.
If it’s not too big, it should not be too tight as well
If the coat you are wearing is too tight in certain parts of your body such as the armpit, the down or synthetic insulation may be compressed and have no space to spread out and retain its loftiness.
Particles and materials making up the insulation inside your jacket are made up of multiple tiny pockets that trap air and create warmth. The loftiness of these particles and materials is where the insulation comes from so without it, you’re left feeling cold and uncomfortable. A Jacket that is too tight can also impede your mobility.
Stretching out your arms before buying
This particular test is to check that the length of the sleeves is okay. If you reach out front and your wrist becomes exposed, it is possible that the sleeves are too short and will leave your wrists vulnerable to the cold.
If you are a driver, you can also do the steering wheel test which is similar. Reach your arms out front as if you were holding the steering wheel and mimic the motion of driving a car.
If the sleeves on your winter coat are too short, you’re more likely to catch a chill or get snow up to your sleeve. Pick a coat with a comfortable sleeve length and you won’t have to shop for long gloves to make-up for the sleeve gap.
Keeping the pockets in check
Whether the jacket you are wearing is insulated with down, synthetic or simply lined with a cozy material such as fleece, the good air pockets provide space for air to circulate and create warmer air.
When I say air pockets, I don’t mean protruding creases, bulky folds and gaping jacket hems – these are the bad air pockets that provide too much space for air to circulate that it cannot effectively warm the entire area.
Picture a large lake compared to a smaller lake, the smaller lake will warm up quicker because there is less area to heat compared to the larger lake. Think of the good air pockets as small pockets found between the particles and materials used to insulate your coat.
Air circulation is very important
In order to provide warmth, the air inside the jacket must be able to circulate as is the same with gloves and mittens. If you have a pair of gloves or mittens that just fit and your fingertips touch the end, you’ll most likely end up with cold fingertips because there is nowhere for the air to circulate to produce warmth.
While choosing plus size winter coat can be an arduous task, all hope is not lost as there are still coats that you can get that can fit perfectly and give you a flattering look. Because a winter coat is meant to keep you warm, that should be your first consideration. Your second consideration needs to be size. It’s crucial that you choose something that will fit your arms and body perfectly.
They’ll never let you down and every season brands and designers churn out exciting new takes on classic silhouettes.
