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 5ft and have an oversized coat that reaches my ankles. It’s wool and vintage.
I love it and have had no end of compliments, I think because the arm and shoulders fit well.

Oversized and baggy look modern in my opinion. Anything belted and too tight looks dated.

I like the one from H&M OP.

I think oversized and baggy wear better even if they're not "in" and knee length and fitted are what is in fashion.

The swishing around has a cos play feel to it even if not the height of fashion.

I loved this coat when the film came out in 1987 and I still do

In a word NO!

Really? My existing coats are neat fitting and above the knee and I feel good in them. Why are they not flattering?

How do you make your coats work with current trouser shapes and skirt lengths, though? I can’t imagine a neat, above the knee length coat with barrel legged trousers, or a midi kilt, or a long tulip shape, or even the sort of stiff A line I particularly like. Most of those want either a long coat or a cropped jacket. Or a vast, oversized jacket.

I'm not interested in whether something is flattering. It's the shape, colour, material, drape and movement of a garment which matters. Knee length, very fitted, especially if belted, coats just look boring to me. There's no life, no pizzazz, no swishing about.

On a practical level they don't look warm. A long coat is much warmer. I have shorter coats but on cold days, it's always long. And the neat coats often don't fit properly. For me unless it's a summer coat I should easily be able to wear a long sleeved dress or shirt and either a cardigan or jumper or even a jacket under a coat. I see women wearing the neat style of coat which is spoilt by their trying to wear layers under it but there's not enough room.

No I dont think long coats look good on short women.

I have a couple of on-the-knee 1960s coats - think Audrey Hepburn rather than Twiggy - that I do like a lot and that I'm told suit me. Which is all very fine but no way would I wear them in the UK in February because I would freeze. They're spring / early summer coats. They also have a very ladylike vibe - nothing wrong with that, it's all just dressing up as far as I'm concerned, but I have to be in the zone to wear them

I used to have 2 deadccute A line princess coats, double breasted with an inverted back pleat and still have an Audrey H 1960s black cashmere coat, with bracelet length sleeved but they were /are dressing up coats.

They are of limited use as they can't be layered under and need cute Audrey Hepburn pumps or low stilettos, preferably slingbacks.Boots would look awful. Not a problem but not for February in the UK.

@Eucatastrophilia
How do you make your coats work with current trouser shapes and skirt lengths, though? One probably has more than one coat.

I can’t imagine a neat, above the knee length coat with barrel legged trousers, or a midi kilt, or a long tulip shape, or even the sort of stiff A line I particularly like.
I don't have neat above the knee coats, but I have an above the knee overcoat that works with midi kilts. There's no way I'd wear barrel legged trousers or an A-line skirt and don't have a long tulip shape skirt.

Most of those want either a long coat or a cropped jacket. Or a vast, oversized jacket.
Not me. A long coat would drown me, a cropped jacket would make me look boxy. A vast, oversized jacket would make me look like a brick outhouse.

Style is dressing to suit your shape.

If you're slim . I'm 5ft2 and size 14 /16 and no they are not a good look on me.

Style is dressing to express yourself, in my opinion.

Definitely can work but it needs to be a petite fit so it’s not drowning you.
I am short with narrow shoulders and struggle to find even petite coats that fit well. But with the right tailoring then there’s no reason why a long coat wouldn’t look good.
Belted wrap style is a good bet.

Thank you, any suggestions for where to look for petite? I love Hobbs coats but they are too formal for what I’m looking for.

I am five 2, petite and look like a pawn chess piece in long coats. They look amazing on others though.

@Floisme , Valid point but one could express one's self in an outfit that doesn't suit one's shape.

(I don't think you do hence using one not a general you. I've worn some real horrors in my time. )

Yes I look like a pepperpot

😂

Oh but I do, frequently!

Editing because I decided to add a bit more: I used to be a big believer in wearing what flatters but now I've come round to the opinion that what's supposed to suit you is about 90% what you're used to seeing and that a large part of what you're used to seeing is the current fashionable silhouette. Which I think is absolutely fine if it works for you but I no longer believe in it as if it's some kind of universal truth.

Reiss do petite coats. I have a few. They are quite costly.

But I don’t have full length ones. They are available though.

https://www.reiss.com/style/su779583/v06388

@StylishAndBeautiful - I was addressing the OP. Who had referred to her existing coats (plural) being neat fitting and above the knee …

I’m 5ft and wear long coats, and cardigans, and I think they are super flattering, as long as they fit!

The longer length is flattering as you’re not cutting yourself off at the knees.

Sleeves that are too long are a no no - I look like I’ve been in the dressing room up box! So everything is shortened properly and then I feel great. And if others think I don’t look great, frankly I don’t give a shiny 💩!!

@Floisme , I don't disagree with you.
The word flattering makes me think of something worn to hide in (e.g. wrap dress or smock worn to hide a protruding stomach) whereas for others it might mean to make the most of a feature.

Dressing to express personality is more fun.

@Dogsandswimming , I suspect you look terrific, but a key word there was 'altered' ('shortened properly).

Style is dressing to suit your shape.

It really isn't.

@PhaedraWas , what is it then?