Sporting the dressing gown look.
Warts and all. So as promised, I have returned from trying on and I have good new and bad news.
Starting perhaps with the 9yr old's comment on me trying the very first one on - Jaeger I apologise, you got the brunt of it.
"Mummy, it just looks like a dressing gown". Out of the mouths of babes. She had no idea that that was also my concern too. A rather large concern if I'm honest and yes, we were all right to be worried.
There are ishoos with these coats that's for certain. Don't thank me all at once but I have done a swift round up of them with pics, including of me looking less than svelte and the 9yr old shaking her head in pity.
Let's crack on (as there is good news at the end - it's not all doom and gloom) and start with one that is bad for me BUT it would be fabulous for those of a more petite build. The dimensions of the coat are just made for shorter people, there's no other way to say it.
Here's how it looks on me. Just not enough fabric - it's just too mean looking for someone as big as me. Or to be fair, that may be my interpretation of it, I think I was looking for something a bit more statement.
To be fair, it doesn't look so bad undone but this was a Large..... Very short on the sleeves. And the most random thing was the belt didn't seem to have any loops to go through. This could of course have been me being a muppet. High chance.
Jaeger Double-faced coat in black £399
But done up - you can't quite see the full elastic band round a rolled up sleeping bag effect but it wasn't flattering to say the least.
And how it should look:-
However, I also spied this one which is also Jaeger and obviously more expensive - ouch - but it's a gazillion times better in my opinion. For a start the belt actually attaches to the coat. And I can't find it online for love nor money. I swear it said it was reversible (which was quite random as it looked to be the same on the inside as on the out so why you'd want to reverse it I have no idea). And I'm sure it was Jaeger (maybe not quite so sure now though... ) I do know that alas it was £450. But oh my lord it was gorgeous.
And Lesson One I learnt from the day was - the bigger the lapel, the more flattering the coat when done up - it gives more shape if you're thick of middle (just to make me sound really attractive) as it creates the illusion of shape. When I am actually a tube.
More success again at Mango. This was the one that had the most positive feedback from the original blog and these are definitely worth looking at. They're lined and of a sturdier build than the much more expensive and thinner Jaeger ones which are very similar looking (the black one at the top - not the grey one).
Randomly - the thicker the fabric, again, the more flattering it was belted. I think because it gives more structure as opposed to just clinging and highlighting the layers you're wearing underneath and those lumps and bumps (muffintastic) that most of us have. This was also a better fit for me and would be even and would work for most heights as the difference in sizing is huge.
I'm trying on a large here - the medium and small are much much smaller. (well, as they would be but smaller all over as opposed to just being smaller in width, if that makes remote sense?)
And how it should look:-
My faves are the camel and they grey though - swoon, but alas they didn't have in store.
What they did have in the camel though and again, I spied quite a few of this - more food for thought and definitely another trend to explore, was a cardigan version.
Now, this is where I can see how you draw the line between coat and dressing gown. The thicker the fabric and a lining will move you straight into coat category. Unlined and a thinner fabric leaves you hovering perilously close to dressing gown territory.
Undone - again, not too bad at all for a cardie. And a bargain for less than £30. In other colours as well.
Undone - again, not too bad at all for a cardie. And a bargain for less than £30. In other colours as well.
This is cemented in stone when you do it up. Oh hello muffin - let me highlight you for all the world to see. Now admittedly I do have a (very thin silk) jacket on here and so it's probably more bitty underneath that normal but that doesn't get away from the fact it's just vile. And it looks like a dressing gown.
Also found one at Next which I preferred with the collar - although I it did remind me of the waterfall cardigans from four or five years ago. However a bang up to date version - lovely texture and shade and really not too bad undone.
Done up on the otherhand - there are no words. I thought perchance it may be slightly more flattering if I didn't layer one side over the other. I think we can safely say the answer is no.
Perhaps not so coincidentally there aren't any pics online of it done up on a model.... that may just be my wishful thinking...
But here we end with some good news. Good news in that I have found one I LOVE. Bad news for my credit card. And bad news for the October ban which I had been considering as, come Monday (12.01am) I am ordering this baby. I love it. I am totally ignoring the fact that it's from Zara so the quality will be iffy. I aim to wear this to death and if it bobbles, then I shall be taking it back (I should have taken the coat back but I loved it so much and it had sold out....).
At the mo though, I have to say, I think it's up there with the £450 Jaeger one (ish)
This really would work better on someone tall - anyone that much shorter, it would come to mid calf and you would definitely be sporting the *just out of the shower* look.
Their pic:-
I've also been pointed in the direction of some others, thank you to some lovely readers who mentioned these. This looks like a sturdier fabric again which, in my experience as seen above..., means a better fit. Plus there are belt hooks thank good - which makes a lot of sense. This also looks like a more heavyweight fabric and I believe it's lined, which, I've discovered, makes it more flattering when done up. And warmer of course.
Carla Wrap Coat from Great Plains £140
They also do it in a Whisper White Jacket Version £100
And there we have my roundup of all things dressing gownesque. Here's the outfit I wore with the coats over - as you can see it is a jacket but it's very thin - however if it worked over this, it would work over anything.
Off white vest - Cos
Straight leg jeans turned up - Zara
Silk scarf print jacket - Zara
Stone necklace - Anthropologie
Tan belt - Primark
Tan bag - Prada
Whilst we're on the subject of warts and all, here is my pic from the other day - a great photo of how totally pants my hair looks if I just let it dry naturally. The reason why the Babyliss Big Hair is my total saviour. Which is now on sale at FeelUnique for just £40.50! Honestly life changing, I promise you.
As you can see, not so glam with all the frizz (and let's not even mention my roots. Oh how I can't WAIT for a couple of hours to myself - Daniel J my beloved hairdresser, I am coming to see you as soon as humanly possible)
Silk vintage tunic - Monsoon
Straight legs turned up - Rock & Republic
Thong sandals - Zara
Phew - this post has been a labour of love so I hope it's helpful! I have been totally consumed the last couple of days with children - oodles and oodles of them both mine and others, playdates, sleepovers, school shoe shopping, Five Guys trips, Tapas, you name it, I've done it. Well it feels like it anyway...... Back to a classic top for tomorrow.
I like the light grey Jaeger the best, but not the price. I tried on a lovely coat in Zara the same colour today (not belted though) and didn't buy it as thought £109 was too much for Zara and now regretting it as somewhere else I would have thought bargain!
ReplyDeleteWell there is always that! But to be honest, it's always a risk with Zara - some things are ace - I have to say I am a huge fan of their shoes, I think they are great value (The leather ones...) and I've had jeans from there which have lasted for donkeys years. But their knitwear and wool coats are decidedly hit and miss. However I have blazers from years ago which are just fabulous. Go figure (And go back and see if you can get it...!) x
DeleteI have a grey one from Zara from 2 years ago very similar to the Jaeger one and it has been great, no bobbling, no holes no losing shape. The camel zara one looks like the same fabric so it should be ok although I will be keeping the receipt just in case!
DeleteThe reaction I got from my 5 and 8 year old boys when I happily showed them my new coat was: bearcostume!! ( the oilcoloured one from Zara, did you see it?)
ReplyDeleteThe Zara longcoat lookes great on you, as I thouht it would!
ARRGH I didn't see it. I literally had time to bomb in and try on the camel one which was next to the door. We were so tight on time and I ahd been Mother of the Year and spent 90% of the time shpping for the 9yr old that it was all I could to snap those pics above! I am going back on Thursday to peruse at my leisure.. (well, as much as you can when you have to be back to pick up at 3pm!) xx
DeleteReally really helpful, thank you. Going to give the Mango one a bash i think..Long Zara coat on you is divine. O to be tall. By the way I think your locks look lovely au naturel ( I have similar 'fine but lots of it' type hair, let it be I say! heehee)
ReplyDeleteI love the Zara one on you. Perfect for you! The others,well I agree, they look good until they're belted. Oasis have one too but I'm not sure if it's more cardigan (even they say it could be a Coatigan) http://www.oasis-stores.com/textured-long-belted-coat//oasis/fcp-product/3930019306. Lynne x
ReplyDeleteGreat post, you've helped my pondering, love the grey jaeger but way too many pennies :-( the rest aren't doing it for me, I've seen a faux fur jacket at wrap which they seem too have had for season or two (without any reductions I add!!) hoping I will find a discount voucher before I buy in September, way over spend limits this month shhh
ReplyDeleteI love these style coats but I'm just not sure on my figure (substantial & busty!!!) that they work. I had earmarked the Next cardi one but now I'm not so sure :( x
ReplyDeleteThanks for doing the leg work, missus!
ReplyDeleteNot too sure this style will work for me after all, belts are not my friend at the best of times but I love the relaxed lux look of them being draped open. It's the pockets that do it I think - too big and square and you're a soap-on-a-rope away from bath robe territory. You'll make it work though, you gorgeous creature you.
An interesting post, Kat. Still tempted to try the Mango (not sure colour though) but the Zara one looks great on you. Being a larger build than you though, do worry about looking huge, swathed in all that fabric. Finding the perfect winter coat is such a pain.
ReplyDeleteI love the Zara camel one too it is a lot like the Filipa K Ines coat but about half the price. I tried it on the other day and it looks good on. I am defo getting it.
ReplyDeleteI love your kitchen cabinets too btw, hope you don't mind me asking where did you get them from and what is the paint colour?
ReplyDeleteGod that grey 450 number is stunning on you. Your hair has got nothing on mine - wore mine au natural this morning to movies for juniors and looked like the hair bear bunch! Babyliss big hair sorted me out this afternoon - why is it called big hair when it reduces mine by at least 2/3 it's volume??!! Would love you to do a houses post - we've been hearing about your renovation so would be fab for you to do a big reveal post - your kitchen looks gorgeous - details please!!!! Xx
ReplyDeleteI think the coats with no excess fabric around the waist work best in this style. That's why the last one looks best on you. My problem with the big collar coats is I think they look weird with a scarf.
ReplyDeleteI saw the Zara one in-store and thought it was somewhat overpriced for a fairly flimsy coat with no lining. It is nice though.
ReplyDeleteI now want a babylis big hair!!
ReplyDeleteHow does it work?
I use Redken Heavy cream too, tried the "silk fuel" treatment last night but it left my hair sticky and horrible.
The grey Jaeger is the hands down winner I think! I have a burgandy Oasis one my SIL gave me last year.....I'm off to see if it looks like a dressing gown now!!! Ax
ReplyDeleteZara long coat 159.99 pounds: What size was you wearing, interested on getting one online but not sure what size.
ReplyDeleteThis is actually the kind of information I have been trying to find. Thank you for writing this information.
ReplyDeletelongmire coat