Choosing
a Winter Jacket
By
Juliana Day
The
chill is on! The air is nippy, the sidewalks
are slippery and you are rummaging through the
box in your hall closet, desperately trying
to match your mismatched gloves. This is also
the time of year that many stores are featuring
mid-season sales, and it's a great time to invest
in an outdoor winter ensemble.
Purchasing
outerwear can be one of the most frustrating
and time consuming shopping experiences. Here
are some practical tips that will help you make
the right choice for you.
1.
Be Practical
You may have a cute pair of red leather boots,
but don't blow your budget on the adorable matching
jacket - you will regret it when trying to cover
a fuchsia party dress. A black jacket is by
far your best investment choice. Depending on
what color boots you wear most, brown and camel
are also good choices.
2. Do Not Sacrifice Good Tailoring for Price
Choose a jacket that looks good on you! That
may seem obvious, but many people are walking
around in "getting by" jackets that
are boxy and frumpy. Go for something fitted
in the shoulders, and also in the waist if it
a three-quarter length or longer. To ensure
the right size through the shoulders, shrug
a few times with the jacket on; if you don't
have full range of motion, it's too tight.
3. Ditch the Ski Jacket
Unless, of course, you ARE a skier or snowboarder,
and that's what you're looking for. When looking
for a practical winter jacket, always opt for
a more formal version. Otherwise you will find
yourself embarrassed when attending dressy events.
4. Choose a Classic Style
A good look for anyone is the nice wool or wool
blended, solid colored three-quarter length
coat. For the fuller figured woman, a coat with
a slight tapering at the waist is flattering.
This type of jacket serves a multitude of functions
from dressy to casual. You will find it a versatile
style year after year.
If
you are petite, try a pea-coat. These don't
work well for larger figured women because of
the double-breasted style, but they look really
cute on a slim figure. Just remember: if you
choose these type of coats, invest in a good
drycleaner at least once each season.
5. Avoid Showy or Ultra-trendy Edges
The classic wool collar works best. If you simply
must have that leopard-skin, be sure it is removable,
so the same jacket will work in an anti-faux-fur
environment. Also, a great option for spicing
up a solid coat is to buy your accessories in
a more outrageous style. These are easier and
far less expensive than replacing a jacket.
Winter
jackets are a big investment, but well worth
the time and money to ensure the right selection.
