Plus Size Winter Coat

While practicality is an important factor in shopping for a plus size winter coat, you still don’t want to sacrifice style when keeping warm. With some thought and attention to detail, you can find a coat that stands up to the weather and is flattering – no need to look like a babooshka!

Choose a coat that suits your body type and fits over bulky outfits.

A winter coat is an investment. If you keep it well, it should last at least a few seasons. Therefore, it’s more important to buy something that suits your climate’s needs, answers your personal requirements and looks good, rather than trying to find something cheap. While boots may wear out, thanks to snow, slush and salt, a properly maintained coat will usually hold up for years. This is why you can find such an array of amazing vintage coats available on eBay and other online vintage sources – and many of them are plus size!

As with shopping for a dress, you need to know your body type before you start shopping for a coat. Understanding whether you are an apple or a pear shape will help you choose a flattering plus size winter coat. For example, if you are very curvy, a double-breasted coat is best for drawing away unwanted attention in that area. A single-breasted coat, on the other hand, will make your waist seem thinner. If your hips are disproportionately large, a shawl coat, especially one featuring an oversized collar, will balance you out on top.

Most of your best deals on coats will be found online. This is especially true if you are interested in a vintage coat. However, when it comes to buying something that you can’t try on first and can’t return, you have to prepare yourself for a purchase that may need to be resold.

When buying on a vintage site or eBay, it’s not enough, even with a modern plus size winter coat, to get a size – you also need exact measurements in the shoulder, bust, waist and sleeves. As all women know, size will vary from maker to maker, and even designations such as Small, Medium or Large can be frustratingly misleading. Coats are tricky because you need to be sure they fit over your bulkiest outfits with ease. You don’t want tightness under the arms, behind the shoulders or across the bust.

You also want to be sure the sleeves fall to below your wrist bones – the only exception being with coats from the 1950s and 1960s, when sleeves were shorter because long gloves were all the rage. This sort of vintage coat can be a lot of fun to wear and since the cut was often in a swing style, it goes easily over most things and is flattering (although some less well-cut coats might end up looking like a tent). But if you are in a chilly climate, you will have to invest in a pair of thick, well-lined gloves that come at least halfway up your arms.

Finally, you also want to be able to sit in the coat before deciding on a purchase to see if it pulls or rides up.

For many plus-sized women, the urge to hide their bodies has been strong since at least the teenage years, and may have even been subtly encouraged by friends and family members. But now that you’re a stylish adult, you want to look great even on bitterly cold days. Your coat is the first thing people will notice, so it should reflect your fashion sense. A long, body-skimming coat will give you a slimmer appearance and is elegant to wear. If you prefer a shorter coat, you should still consider a sleek fit – you may be surprised to see how flattering it is!

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