How to Style a Coat to Look Your Best in Winter

Tools and materials:

• Your winter coats

1. The peacoat

No matter what the hem length, or whether it’s single or double breasted, what typically defines a peacoat is the classic lapel and the militaristic style.

Peacoats have clean and sleek lines, minimal details, and a very tailored and streamlined silhouette.

If your peacoat is hitting you mid-thigh, you want to be careful about the proportion of the boots you’re wearing.

Because the peacoat itself is sleek and tailored, it’s very versatile in terms of what footwear you can pair with it. You can go with something a bit sleeker, and streamlined, and the look won’t feel so top heavy because the peacoat itself is also very streamlined. It gives off a timeless and classic vibe.

You can go with something that has more volume on the bottom, like a longer pant, if it also has some elements of tailoring or a sleek silhouette.

On the other hand, you can rock a chunky boot, or a boot that has more visual heft and weight to it. That’s because we’re contrasting the silhouette and the proportions.

If your peacoat is on the shorter side like mine, make sure that the boot itself is sleek and tapered so it creates a nice long line.

If I was to go with a chunky boot with a voluminous pant, we would lose the effect from the sleek lines of the peacoat.

I also love a shorter peacoat with a short skirt. As long as the hem of the skirt is hitting either at the hem or above the hem of your peacoat, you get a sharp and interesting look.

It adds a juxtaposition of femininity and sex appeal with something harsh, and militaristic.

Avoid styling it with something long like a maxi or midi length skirt because you want to avoid creating horizontal lines at the bottom of the body.

However, if you love a solid midi length skirt, keep it in the same color pallet as your footwear.

This way you have a similar block of color at the bottom of your body and you’re not breaking up your lower half too much.

My slip skirt here is a contrasting color to the coat.

Between the color contrast and the change of silhouette, with a flowy skirt, there’s too much going on.

The high contrast in color and textures makes everything look disjointed.

Keep accessories sleek and in line with the look. It looks goofy to pair it with giant wintery gloves.

Try using gloves with refined details like quilting or faux fur edging. You want high impact details that are very understated.

2. Short jacket

When you have a chunky shorter coat, pair it with something A-line on the bottom. Try a bootcut or wide leg trousers.

If you’re long waisted, it’s nice to pair a jacket like this with a higher waist to get a long, lean effect on the legs.

A short coat that has a lot of texture like mine already has so much happening visually, so keep accessories in the same color family.

If you want a contrasting color, keep them sleek and close to the body. Make sure the coat is the star of the look.

A shoulder bag is difficult to keep on with a bulky jacket so use a bag you can wear underneath the coat as a crossbody.

3. Long tailored coat

I have two long tailored coats. The first is a long tailored wool coat.

You must be careful of your footwear with a long coat. If you’ve got a lot of visual heft it’s important that the shaft of the boot disappears underneath the hem of the coat so you’re not breaking up the eye.

With a colorful, long coat, you have to be careful because there’s a lot going on.

I would style a long colorful coat opened so it creates a column. Wear something sleek underneath like tapered, structured pants or something with a lot of tailoring to create a juxtaposition.

You can also get away with a wide leg pant or something with more flow and movement.

With a colorful coat you don’t have to worry as much about what’s going on underneath. Mix in neutrals. Don’t be intimidated by color, especially in the winter.

How to style a coat

I hope this gave some ideas for styling your winter coats!

Color blocking and clean lines will help you create flattering silhouettes. Use my tips so you can look fabulous while staying warm all winter long.

For more styling content, check out my post on How to Style Baggy Clothes.