Discover your personal style soul mate and match it with the right type of coat that will enhance and elevate your personal style to new heights.
Are you flirtatious? Quirky? Sophisticated? Elegant? Traditional or super modern? Whatever your style, whatever your personality, there is a perfect type of coat to match. The best part of winter is playing around with winter fashion. No winter look can be complete without a great coat. Find the type of coat that will be the soul mate of your perfect style and you can at least look great when you are out and about in the cold winter weather.
Types of Coats
There are many different types of coats. Most people choose the coat they want to wear based on one of two factors: how it looks and how warm it keeps them. Depending on your personal style and the climate you live in, you can find a style of coat that is just right for those cold days and nights.
If you really want to fight the cold, a coat is a perfect solution. A parka is a loose fitting coat with long sleeves that fall to at least mid-thigh. These coats have a straight silhouette and usually have lapels. Coats can be made from almost any material, from wool to leather.
Duster coat is a classic style, popularized in movies and TV shows as the quintessential fashion of the Old West era. It is a loose coat that is short in the front, usually about hip length, and ankle-length or slightly shorter in the back. In the traditional design, the back of the duster hangs down to the ground. This is why this type of coat is called a duster, because when you wear it, it "dusts" the ground. Dusters are usually made of leather or fabric.
Leather coats are double-breasted. This means that the coat has two rows of vertical buttons that run parallel to each other and along the front of the coat. The length of the pea coat is usually hip length. This style staple has been around since the 19th century, and the pea coat was originally designed for Dutch naval soldiers. The style became popular in the U.S. Navy, and from there it moved into popular fashion. The traditional peacoat design is made of wool or heavy cloth.
Puffer coats are a bit bulky, which is why some people don't like them. But if you wear a puffer fish coat, you will understand. These coats have insulated sections that are separated by rows of stitches. The insulation helps keep you from losing body heat even in very cold temperatures.
And, because they are insulated with lightweight insulation rather than heavy fabric to keep you warm, they are surprisingly easy to wear. Cushion coats come in a huge variety of styles and lengths, although they definitely have a look all their own that is immediately recognizable. Sold in a huge range of colors, these coats come in every shade you can imagine, including metallic tones.
The trench coat is a true classic. It is a look that has been around for decades, but it is always a fashionable choice. Trench coats have always been popular because they keep you warm. Trench coats are full-length coats that fall to the knee or lower and have full sleeves.
Trench coats usually have a belt that can be cinched and a double-breasted front. Khaki is the classic trench coat color and trench coats are designed in a variety of colors and patterns. This coat also began in the military. Originally, it was designed for officers, who wore it in the trenches at the battle front.
The Parka coat was designed for U.S. Army soldiers going into very cold climates. These large, loose-fitting coats were originally made from the skin of an animal, usually a caribou or seal. Parker coats are usually lined and made for warmth and are usually hip length in design. Often, parka coats were designed with a hood to provide warmth for the head. Today, parkas are made from a variety of materials, ranging from vinyl to thick wool to plastic.
The cape coat is known for its loose, draped, highly unstructured style. Shawl coats look like capes: a lot of fabric falling to the waist. These coats also have loose sleeves, if they have them at all. Shawl coats were designed to be worn around the neck and draped over the body. They usually have a button closure at the neck. Cape coats are usually made of wool or heavy cotton blends.
Fur coats really made a splash in the fashion world in the 1960s and 1970s, when every fashionable girl had to own one of these expensive and luxurious coats. The pinnacle of fur coat fashion was the mink coat, revered for being one of the more expensive style options. Mink coats come in a vast array of colors and styles, with slight variations on the classic fur coat silhouette.
The classic fur coat is worn open and varies in length from the waist to the hips, but in some designs can be worn all the way down to the ankles. Fur coats often have lapels and sometimes hoods. Today, there are many faux fur coats available that are still soft and luxurious, but are also cruelty-free. Traditionally, fur coats were usually made in natural colors such as brown, black and white. However, in today's fashion, faux fur coats come in every shade of the rainbow.
The most noticeable feature of duffel coats is the toggle closures that run down the front of the coat. Usually, these heavy coats are made from wool. To be a true duffel coat, the wool comes from the town of Duffel itself. In traditional designs, duffel coats have an attached hood and two large lower pockets. These coats are cut to hang straight down the body.
Choosing a Coat to Completement Your Style
The most striking feature of a canvas coat is the toggle fasteners on the front of the coat. Typically, these heavy coats are made of wool. To be a true Duffel coat, the wool comes from the town of Duffel itself. In the traditional design, the Duffel coat has an attached hood and two large lower pockets. These coats are cut to drape directly over the body.
The style and cut of the coat is important, and of course, the level of warmth it provides is also very important. But you also have to take into account the color of the coat. Choose shades that are going to complement your natural skin tone, as your coat should be good for you.
Classic coat colors are usually more neutral shades. When you are shopping for a coat, there are many dark blues, grays, blacks and browns. If you have a fair complexion and light hair, black and dark blue will complement you nicely. Browns are great for bringing out the warmth of blondes and redheads with honey complexions, while grays and blues look gorgeous on brunettes and pale skin tones.
If you have warmer skin and hair tones, earth tones like reds, oranges, yellows and browns will look great on you. Look for rich, warm colors rather than pastel shades. Deep pinks, rusty reds, and even olive greens look great on you. If your skin is golden or peachy, then you are warm. When you are warm, your skin may have yellowish undertones.
Cooler skin tones and hair colors can be worn in bright jewel tones and cool colors. Try cool blues and greens, icy purples, pale pinks, or even bright reds to bring out the beauty of your cooler coloring brand. You can determine if your coloring is cool based on your skin's undertones. Look at the inside of your wrist and the inside of your elbow to see if your veins look more bluish than greenish. If they look bluer, you are cool-toned. If you are cool-toned, your skin will have pinkish undertones.
Dress according to your skin tone, your personal style, and the weather you will be facing. No matter what you happen to wear or what color you choose, the most attractive thing you can wear is something that feels comfortable in your own skin. Always dress comfortably in the environment you are in and you will always be stylish and beautiful.
