Do long wool coats work if you’re petite?

[bendmeoverbackwards]

I have a few wool coats that are just above the knee and quite smart looking. I’ve tended to for a for a shorter length as otherwise I feel a bit swamped (I’m 5’3” and quite small framed).

Ive seen women rocking the more casual longer wool coat worn over jeans. Really love this look!

Any recommendations for this sort of coat that might work for me? I’m quite booby so single breasted if possible.

Maybe like this sort of thing -

https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1304572003.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=mk_gb%7Cln_eng%7Cpl_google%7Cct_sh%7Cbu_ladies%7Ckt_bra%7Cbg_branded%7Ccs_shopv1%7Cadt_all%7Csp_low%7Cpi_gbg06anu3aa214&utm_term=&hier_id=go_cmp-12828082235_adg-121943360856_ad-517954073504_pla-308498773140_dev-m_ext-_prd-en-1304572003004_sig-EAIaIQobChMIuv_Ostu9kgMVqZJQBh3ExQYAEAQYBCABEgIC_vD_BwE&utm_source=Google&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=12828082235&gbraid=0AAAAADvrmzTRmRg8-5Z0N58zowNYPio3B

I’m a ‘chunky’ 12/14 and only 5’ tall. I wear lots of long swishy coats even though I know they’re not ‘flattering’ because I love them and always feel rubbish in a shorter coat. I’m swamped by my Cabbages and Roses coats but I don’t care.

I have got a new look petite version with a belt. I had it adjusted as I still felt it was to long. I prefer wearing with leggings/tights rather than baggy trousers as I still feel I’m drowning in clothes!

I’ve recently got some as I previously thought I was too short. I think they look great, I’m the same height as you. Some styles you want a bit of the oversized look. I find I can go down a size or two in coats depending on the brand. Have a look on Vinted, I bought an Autograph long checked coat for £10 so wasn’t a huge outlay if it didn’t suit, but I love it. I sized down. Also have a few from Cos, again sized down.

I’m 5’3’’ and wear a coat this length and I think it looks great. I wear with wide leg jeans or leggings, anything really. The thing that makes me look like I’m drowning in material is if the shoulders and sleeves (of any type of coat or jacket) are too oversized, if it’s a fairly classic cut it should be fine.

@bendmeoverbackwards ,the model is 5'9".

I'm slightly taller than you so not petit, am not small framed and they don't work for me.

You'll probably need a petite coat and not oversized. Try a few on.

Thank you all, Vinted is a good shout. I don’t want to spend a lot as I don’t really need another coat. Don’t like belted styles on me, I can’t get them to work.

Im 5’1 - longer coats can be ok if they’re petite fit ones so that they’re not too long in the arms and if they’ve got a belt or waist it’s in the right place.

I fell in love with a floor length tweed coat and bought it. I'm 5'4" and have to be very careful not to look like a child dressing up in grown up clothing when going for oversized or extra long things. But I love the coat and it makes me happy. So warm in this weather, too. I never realised how warm it would keep my legs.

Get it. The one you linked to is lovely.

Exactly this. I have a coat I can never wear because the shoulders are oversized. It looks ridiculous. But fitted shouders work.

That’s on a 5’9” model - it’s evidently designed to look oversized on a tall woman, … it’d be ridiculous and completely impractical on a small woman… well I suppose she wouldn’t need gloves... The op wants a coat that gives a similar effect on her

With coats and if especially if you are short, the fit on the shoulders needs to be perfect. It draws the eye upwards.

Charity shops can be good for coats, @bendmeoverbackwards . They're usually very cheap and you can try them on. Don't buy anything just because it is cheap, and don't rule out something if it is easy to fix. If it's not sparking joy leave it there.

Unless you know an exceptionally good alteration service avoid anything that needs shortening or modifying.

Observe:

https://www.vogue.com/article/industry-season-4-costumes-laura-k-smith?share=app

Myha’la (who plays Harper) is apparently 5’1.

I am 5ft 1in and I have a long coat. I would say it’s not exceptionally flattering to my shape (it doesn’t make me look taller or thinner) but I like the style so I don’t care.

You have to make sure you buy a petite sizing though - so it ends in the right place

I’m just under 5’3 and have to say it’s never occurred to me that I shouldn’t wear long coats. I’ve spent a lifetime in voluminous wool coats - anywhere between mid-calf to above ankle in length - and always felt swooshy and elegant. I may have worn them with high heels occasionally in the 80s and 90s - but now it’s almost invariably with flat boots. (Ankle or knee high.)

Why not just try on as many as you can, from different brands? Some will suit you better than others - but that’s the case for everything and everyone.

I'm 5'3 and slightly built and I love a long swishy wool coat. I somehow don't think our ancestors (who I understand were statistically shorter than we are) worried about being overwhelmed by below the knee hemlines. I do however like them to end at the top of the ankle bone - any longer and the proportions start to look wrong - and I'd get one shortened if necessary.

I like the look of that H&M one but it's 100% polyester with just 2 buttons so I don't see how it's going to be much use in February. For £52 I'm pretty sure you could find a much better made pure wool one from whatever second hand source you prefer.

I'm 5'3".its never occurred to me even when I was a size 6 or an 8 that I was "petite" or that I can't wear long coats or the clothes that are regularly described on here as "only looking good on a 5'10" model."

I have tried on Hobbs petite and they felt skimpy and undersized.

I’m 5’3 and yes… if you buy a petite one. I got a long M&S one in a petite style and I get compliments constantly

That could just be to do with your proportions and the coat style. Regular sizes can look ridiculous on me depending on where the sleeve ends, sagging shoulder lines, waist lines hitting on my hips etc. you may have long arms or sharper shoulders / long torso compared to other petite women.

I’ve honestly never bought anything labelled ‘petite’.

(As I said above; just under 5’3.)

But yes, probably a matter of proportions. And also how you like clothes to look on you. I like to take up space, so welcome voluminous garments.

I think very neat fitting, just above the knee length coats are the least attractive style of coat.

Nope. None of those. As others have said 5'3" isn't petite. None of my clothes are from "petite" range and other than Hobbs none of the shops and brands I buy even have a "petite" range.

I’m 5’3” and long coats make me feel like I’m wearing a dressing gown.

I think that’s just me though!

I have a vintage wool tweed coat with a belt and have been wearing it for many years, suddenly finding myself fashionable this season. I’m 161 cm and petite, the coat works great for me, I wear it with all shapes of jeans and maxi and midi skirts. It’s one of the most versatile pieces of clothing I own.

The one you linked is definitely not worth the price - it’s 100% plastic so will start pilling and looking tired after a couple of wears, it will be also very sweaty. It’s possible to find a good quality wool one in that price range second hand. It’s a good investment so I would spend some time looking for the perfect one.

If you go for the second hand one freezing it for a couple of days and cleaning it thoroughly with a vacuum cleaner helps to keep it fresh and moth-free.

I got a lovely one on Vinted. New Look petite. Really nice on.

I have one and love it but I need to wear it over fairly narrow jeans (not quite skinny but not wide) but then I find wide legged trousers really hard to wear at 5 ft tall. It’s not actually petite but it’s intended to be a shorter midi and ends up long on me.