Coats/jackets that don’t look student-y?

[Lhastingsmua]

I’m a financial analyst at a major bank, and dress in corporate attire. I am also short/size 6 - I just look “petite”.

Dressing in the bitterly colder weather has been a pain, summer was a breeze as I could just wear my work outfit without needing an extra jacket.

Most warm coats that I already own look awful over my work clothes - eg fur/teddy coats or this. I have also tried a padded coat which doesn’t look right! These completely change my aesthetic to a “student” rather than “working professional”, I’m just attributing this to my petite aesthetic.

I need to buy something new but struggling? With longer coats like this, the length looks odd on me when I wear trousers as I’m short. I also don’t find these coats to be warm enough, especially because I have to take my work blazer jacket off first as most coats like this can’t accommodate it underneath. Please help!

I'd go to tk maxx and try lots of brands. Maybe something like you'd see a European tourist wearing in London (is it called a Duvet coat?) French and Italian ladies tend to be short and look smart in their coats.

Without wishing to be rude you are choosing relatively cheap items which won’t be particularly warm or roomy. And they are worn by students ...

Take a look at MaxMara - preferably in an actual shop first.

I’m sure other posters will be able to suggest suitable things somewhere in the middle ground as regards cost!

TK Maxx is a good thought. Particularly the Gold Label section, if you know what you’re looking for.

Thanks all. Haha I would look like an actual duvet in a duvet coat, it would swamp me!

@QuaterMiss I own the Topshop aviator (used the others as examples) but yep, that’s probably true. I’m 22 and typically shop at Topshop/Zara so probably need to try elsewhere. Doesn’t help that I used to work at Topshop too, so I already own a ridiculous amount of trendy coats that I should probably downsize.

I earn a v decent salary but £2k per item is certainly out of my budget!

how about Hobbs Tilda coat in petite?
www.hobbs.com/search/?q=tilda%20petite
there are 3 colours - navy, black and camel

Try jigsaw for work stuff. When I was corporate all the grad trainees wore exclusively jigsaw until they could afford designer. They have great stuff, well made and classic. Their coats are great. Brand alley has coats from top brands eg jaegar at lower than high street prices too. But they don't tend to do petite. I am petite too and get coats from hobbs and boden and French connection

I used to have an older version of the Tilda coat, it was brilliant

Uniglo Cashmere blend coats are smart, warm and not too expensive www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/product/women-wool-cashmere-blend-chesterfield-coat-420229COL31SMA003000.html?LGWCODE=420229COL31SMA003000;136477;6475&utm_source=Google&utm_term=&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping&gclid=Cj0KCQjwrrXtBRCKARIsAMbU6bH_YWI9fGbY4AzWDJPFibQ2IkibgpJyjqus--OJMkI-nsAV062-fwoaAsXsEALw_wcB

I also think you need to bump your clothes to the next level and will suggest Bowden as well.

*Boden. Stupid autocorrect.

This thread has made me realise that I’m going through a transitional period in life and have a weird hybrid student/adulting thing going on, definitely time to move forward!

Thanks for all the suggestions, I would have never considered Boden/Jigsaw/Hobbs etc before!

Hopefully I’ll be able to find some coats that are warm and roomy without being too oversized on me!

If you are already cold now then I’d suggest getting some thermal layers too, like the ones from from Uniqlo. They make a big difference and don’t add bulk.

Try Ted Baker v professional looking coats.

My DD (mid 20s) bought an amazing Joseph coat from The OUTNET last winter. Also Max Mara have a store at Bicester Village if you can get there. The best style to go for is a wrap coat. Stylish and won’t go out of fashion. Jaeger always have excellent ones. They usually have enough room for a jacket under. Jaeger stores usually offer alterations too. So you could shorten a coat if it’s too long. They also have a stylish puffer coat at the moment. It’s not too puffer!

I don’t think Boden are great and definitely don’t go for Ted Baker - very recognisable. Reiss is better for quality and a chic look.

Also Massimo Dutti. Zara’s grown up sister .

I’m a size bigger than you and 5 5” and I find Jaeger coats come up quite big, their 8 is often too big for me.

I’d never wear a wrap coat as they drown me. I prefer a single breasted or edge to edge wool coat in a plain colour. I don’t think it needs to be black - navy, grey, camel, maroon or dark green are all very acceptable in financial services.

Hobbs navy petite

www.hobbs.com/product/petite-tilda-wool-coat/0219-3528-1049L04-FRENCH-NAVY.html#cgid=clothing-petite&sz=60&start=0&pid=0219-3528-1049L04-FRENCH-NAVY&pos=0

Fenn Wright Manson petite in burgundy

www.johnlewis.com/fenn-wright-manson-petite-esmee-wool-blend-coat-burgundy/p4315200

Hobbs cobalt blue , comes in a 6 but not petite

www.johnlewis.com/hobbs-jane-wool-blend-coat/cobalt/p4297289?size=6

Uniqlo camel wool cashmere

www.uniqlo.com/eu/en/product/women-wool-cashmere-blend-chesterfield-coat-420229.html?dwvar_420229_color=COL05&dwvar_420229_size=SMA001&cgid=IDwool-blended1142&hassubcat=false

I was thinking about you last night ( you are similar age to my daughter!) and I think you should go for the Hobbs or jigsaw options. Boden is too old for you I think. You want to look smart and professional but not frumpy! If you can afford 2 coats go for hobbs Tilda and Romy both petite. And then if you have Christmas money, get something a little more fun like a leopard print coat

Sooverthemill the OP may be a similar age to your daughter but I very much doubt that she needs to wait for Christmas money (assuming you mean gifts from relatives?) to buy clothes! She may want to use her bonus of course.

OP, just for the benefit of other people searching for a good coat, MaxMara has coats from around £400 for wool and less for synthetic fabrics. And, I’m sure, are available everywhere either discounted or second hand.

(I don’t work for them! But I wouldn’t want anyone to think I was heartlessly sending 22 year olds out to buy £2,000 coats.)

At 22 please don't start shopping in Hobbs and Boden!!!

Agree with another poster on Massimo Dutti. I'd also say Reiss and Cos do beautiful coats that are smart enough for an office, but still chic.

Seasalt might be a good brand if you're trying to keep genuinely warm while looking grown up. They do a petite range.

Something like this www.seasaltcornwall.co.uk/clothing/jackets-coats/fleece-lined-waterproof-womens-janelle-coat-squid-ink.htm

Although they do more formal wool coats too.

@QuaterMiss no need to be condescending. I was suggesting that 2 winter coats is an investment and if she wanted something more fun it could be a Christmas gift. Wtf is wrong with that? And why not Hobbs? I suppose we all have our preferences.

What did I say against Hobbs?