The Best Coats for Every Body Shape: Your Autumn Style Guide
- Marsha McLean-Anderson
- Sep 29
- 3 min read
The air is crisp, the leaves are turning, and it can only mean one thing: coat season has arrived! ✨ But a coat isn’t just about keeping warm – it’s the first thing people notice in autumn and winter, so it needs to work hard for you.
The challenge? Not every coat suits every shape. The wrong one can swamp you, hide your figure, or make you feel frumpy. The right one, however, will elevate your whole look and make you feel confident every time you step out.
Here’s my guide to choosing the best coat for your body shape this season.
🌸 Hourglass Shape
Your goal: Show off your waist!
Go for: Belted styles, wrap coats, and fitted trenches that follow your natural curves.
Avoid: Boxy, shapeless coats – they’ll hide your best feature.
✨ Style Signature Tip: A belted trench is a timeless piece that always flatters an hourglass figure.
🍐 Pear (Triangle) Shape
Your goal: Balance your proportions.
Go for: A-line or swing coats that skim over your hips. Look for details at the shoulder – epaulettes, wide lapels, or faux fur collars – to draw the eye upward.
Avoid: Very fitted coats that cling around the hips.
✨ Style Signature Tip: Try a classic pea coat to add structure at the top and balance your shape beautifully.
🍎 Apple Shape
Your goal: Elongate your frame and add structure.
Go for: Single-breasted coats, streamlined tailoring, and styles with a strong shoulder. Longline coats left open can be very flattering.
Avoid: Double-breasted coats or thick belts that add bulk to your middle.
✨ Style Signature Tip: A structured coat with vertical seams will lengthen your body and create definition.
➖ Rectangle Shape
Your goal: Create curves.
Go for: Belted coats, double-breasted styles, or coats with interesting textures (like boucle or quilting).
Avoid: Very plain, straight coats with no waist definition.
✨ Style Signature Tip: A coat with a tie belt and statement buttons instantly adds shape.
🔺 Inverted Triangle (Strawberry) Shape
Your goal: Soften the shoulders and balance the silhouette.
Go for: Coats with a fuller hemline – think skater or A-line styles. Keep shoulders clean and simple.
Avoid: Heavy detailing at the shoulders.
✨ Style Signature Tip: A coat with subtle flare at the hem balances your figure beautifully.
👗 Petite
Your goal: Keep proportions neat and elongate.
Go for: Cropped or ¾ length coats, slim lines, and minimal detail. Single-breasted is usually more flattering.
Avoid: Very long or oversized coats that overwhelm your frame.
✨ Style Signature Tip: A shorter tailored coat that hits mid-thigh works perfectly for petites.
🌟 Tall
Your goal: Embrace your height with elegance.
Go for: Longline or statement coats – you can carry them effortlessly. Think sweeping trenches, dusters, or bold patterns.
Avoid: Cropped coats that cut you off awkwardly.
✨ Style Signature Tip: A long wool coat in a striking colour is an instant showstopper on tall women.
🎨 Don’t Forget Colour & Fabric
The right colour coat can brighten your complexion, lift your mood, and stop you from blending into a sea of black this winter. Choose shades that make you glow – whether that’s warm camel, deep berry, forest green, or a crisp winter white.
Fabrics matter too: go for wool, cashmere blends, or a boucle finish for timeless chic. Leather trenches or faux-fur trims can add drama if that’s more your style personality.
Ready to Find Your Perfect Coat?
Finding the right coat isn’t just about body shape – it’s also about your colours, lifestyle, and personality.
🍂 This month, I’m helping women refresh their wardrobes with Autumn Wardrobe Restyles and Virtual and In Person Shopping Sessions. If you’d love to feel confident and put-together in your outerwear this season, let’s find the coat that makes you shine.
And don’t miss my upcoming workshop:✨ The Power of Colour in Style & Beauty – 8th October with makeup artist Tracey Salmon. Discover how to use colour to look brighter, fresher, and more confident this autumn.
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