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

Expressing your personality, taking an interest in and finding pleasure in the style and design of clothes, choosing interesting clothes, carving out your own look and identity?

"dressing to suit your shape" sounds dreary and limiting.

Have you thought about about having your coat professionally shortened? You really need a good tailor, rather than adjusted at the dry cleaner. I’m 5’3” and get often have to get clothes adjusted. Some I can do myself, but tailored clothes need a tailor.

@PhaedraWas , but surely if they don't suit your shape, then you won't look stylish in them.

If I think of someone stylish, I might think of Audrey Hepburn, Katharine Hepburn, Princess Catherine, Princess Grace, Jackie Kennedy, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy and others who I don't think dressed to express personality.

I could add Zandra Rhodes and Molly Parkin but are they stylish or flamboyant?

I’m the same - the less structured ones look like I’m wearing a dressing gown. I’ve just accepted that they don’t work on me.

You have a very narrow interpretation of "stylish"

I'll grant you most on that list (and I've certainly copied elements of Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kennedy) except Carolyn Besset Kennedy whose look was dull as ditchwater.

So you only allow famous, thin white women to be ‘stylish’?

Thought we’d done with that sort of thread …

I tried on a padded long coat that I thought looked nice . I looked like a Dalek . Petite sizes from now on and I still need to get the sleeves shortened .

@PhaedraWas I could have listed hundreds of famous women, but they were the first ones that sprang to mind as having their own style.

Carolyn Bessete Kennedy whose look was dull as ditchwater. It really wasn't. That you can't see it says it all really.

@Eucatastrophilia , they were the first women I thought of who are known for their style but that style doesn't seem to express much personality.

I didn't name some because their clothes exude personality. Some were definitely not white or thin.

You seem to saying style excludes having a personality.

Where does Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie sit? She's incredibly stylish.

As for Carolyn Kennedy, shame what happened, sad life but heaven help me if I ever want to look so blanf

"You seem to saying style excludes having a personality." Not at all, but I doubt that the people I listed would have expressed personality through their clothes in the way you or I might. (might have had contractual or societal obligations etc)

Where does Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie sit? She's incredibly stylish. She is known for her talent but she is also stylish and beautiful.

I could have listed people like Michelle Obama, Iris Apfel, Grace Jones, Princess Anne, Judi Dench ....

My intention was to point out that some styles or fashions won't look good if that style doesn't suit your body.

I'm definitely not of the opinion that you need to be tall, thin, white and under 21 to look good.

I'm only 5 foot and found a nice petite one on ASOS. They had a decent selection, it's best to try several in person to see what works.

This is why I have approx 43 coats/jackets. Long wool coat/trench coat over mini skirts, long skirts, dresses and wide trousers. Or short neat/slightly swing jackets for long bottoms, and with midi skirts. Knee length coat and mac work with narrow trousers.

Agree with PP that long coats work best when the shoulders are neat and the sleeves the right length to avoid the dressing up box effect. Not necessarily nipped-in or belted; they work nicely when they are of the wider shape that hangs down quite straight.

Although I am seeing ‘dad coats’ which are deliberately oversized on shoulders and everywhere else. They are not for me (and I’m between 5’9/10 and slim and proof that oversized can overwhelm whatever height you are!).

I am 5 4 and wear a vintage ankle length wool coat. I don’t really care about flattering but I love the coat.

it's best to try several in person to see what works.
This.