What style of coat to wear with dresses? Help!

[Fudgeytastic]

I'm mid 40's, size 18, big boobs and bum and have found a style of dress that flatters my shape. Knee length and flares out a little. My question is, what type of coat do I wear with dresses? I commute to the office on public transport and have to do a fair bit of walking so it needs to be fairly sensible. I just don't know where to start as I used to be a jeans and weatherproof jacket sort of woman

To be honest, when the weather is crap and I have to be outside, I don't really care whether the coat 'goes with' the rest of my outfit as you don't really see it anyway! So I'd wear my usual winter coat which for the last couple of years has been a black Jack Wolfskin padded & hooded knee-length coat. What is your usual winter coat?

I'm your age, size 14/16 and have big boobs. I have this one from Other Stories in a medium so L would fit I'm sure, it is, as they say, voluminous. It literally goes with everything, ties in the middle if you want a bit of shape, is nice and long so covers most of my legs and is very warm.

That coat is beautiful but what if it's a wet & windy day? Even if it's not windy I hate having to use an umbrella when in a busy place as it just gets in the way. A hood is more practical. Plus the wool will get soaked either way.
I think the OP needs a more functional coat for public transport and walking.

If money were no object I’d be swooshing around dramatically in one of these 🤩

https://rainsisters.com/en-gb/collections/waterproof-design-coats-by-rainsisters/products/hooded-black-womens-coat-with-bright-red-lining-raven-red

But I want to see what the actual coat looks like when not being swooshed around!

I’d similarly go with a more traditional fuller skirted wool coat. Why be boring when you can wear something beautiful. A Mac would cover light rain on warmer days.

It’s perfectly possible to commute in a nice wool coat, I did it for years. A decent umbrella, a hat or scarf over head if needs be. I’ve never been out in rain so heavy that it soaked through my coat.

I am biased: I don’t own a rain coat or any synthetic coat at all (I will admit to owning a Barbour with a hood for countryside travel but never a city commute)

A cocoon or oversize teddy coat would work

Uniqlo has a windproof one

https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/product/windproof-outer-fleece-tailored-coat-461659.html?dwvar_461659_color=COL35&dwvar_461659_size=SMA005

I love that!

I have a couple of coats from collectif.

This one in black www.collectiflondon.com/Mobile/en/gb/Collectif-Womenswear-Jackie-Coat/m-m-7478.aspx?PartnerID=14&gclid=Cj0KCQjw1OmoBhDXARIsAAAYGSFV_sqvyaWcJ2DifRxFiVKQDu_ojWAlzYebCtOLquUOp0gbt7kIpgkaAth4EALw_wcB&utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=UnitedKingdom

Is my favourite, even in the rain it doesn't get soaking. I do need an umbrella though.

I think it depends on how long you are outdoors; waiting for the bus/train and walking. You want it warm enough to keep you cosy, but not so heavy that you are roasting while on the bus.

I think something like the SweatyBetty Waterproof Parka will do the trick. It's roomy enough to put a cardigan underneath, and should get you through to spring.
https://www.johnlewis.com/sweaty-betty-waterproof-parka/p5805595

This Phase eight long parka is stylish enough and practical as well.
https://www.johnlewis.com/phase-eight-chloe-longline-parka-coat/p6097820

Wool coats are lovely, but tend to be heavy, too hot while indoors, and not as windproof if you are waiting in the cold.

I have a Ted baker wool wrap coat. Lovely and warm, works with dresses and the wrap bit isn’t tight over boobs (I’m also blessed/cursed with big boobs and struggle to find coats that button up over them comfortably)
https://www.tedbaker.com/uk/p/Womens/Clothing/Coats-and-Jackets/Wool-Coats/ROSE-Wool-Wrap-Coat-Teal-Blue/249306-TEAL-BLUE

Weatherproof hooded coat for me. Been caught in a downpour more than once. I have a pac-a-mac type coat that looks a bit less cagoule-like (?) for the warmer drier months.

When I was bigger I had a lovely wool coat from Collectif to wear over dresses, and a raincoat from Welligogs, think it was the ‘Odette’ style. Both perfect with dresses. Also got both second hand as could no way afford new! Now I look like a shrivelled stick, and strangely nothing looks good

Tie belt if you want to look like you have shape rather than a box.

Damn you MN! .....I just had to buy one after seeing this! 😆

I would look like an actual teddy bear in that!

I commute to work on the train and the tube and have never found having a wool coat to be an issue, I just take a brolly but have to do that every day with the English weather.

Maybe it's my height/build but I've never found a coat with a hood that isn't too casual and/or the wrong length for wearing with dresses, so I'm watching this thread closely.

Georgia in Dublin!!! https://georgiaindublin.com/product/the-bronte/

They do wrap around waterproof skirts to go under the waterproof jackets and you can either do the bronte look or the regency look. I wfh so can’t justify the cost :-(

Have a look at protected species, they are waterproof and windproof without looking like they are waterproof or windproof if you know what I mean. They are super soft, stretchy and dont rustle like some waterproof coats do. I have a parka and a trench type one and have had the parka for 7 years and it still is in perfect condition. Definitely worth the money.

I really would suggest Welligogs then. Let me find a link, hang on…

https://welligogs.com/products/welligogs-odette-wax-check-waterproof-breathable-windproof-coat?_pos=3&_sid=acdd5dadc&_ss=r

It’s shown with trousers, but looks great with a dress. The shaping is great.

I got that one, it arrived today £12 from eBay, there are loads on there, or were at the weekend. I got XL and it is a generous 16

This is a stunning coat!

@Torturedsoul it really is! Got mine second hand and I love it 🥰