Black – stylish, chic, versatile, slimming and sophisticated – is often our first choice when it comes to a woolen winter coat. However, for pet owners, busy Mums and frequent travelers, there couldn’t be a less practical choice. Black shows dog and cat hair, lint and drool more than any other colour. Not a good thing when our goal is to look polished.

What are the alternatives?

Choose printed patterns, tweedy weaves or mottled plain colours instead. These choices will divert the eye’s attention away from the odd stain you are bound to incur. Lint and pet hair are barely noticeable on fabric that is already busy.

Keep your black coat for special occasions and invest in something more hard-wearing for everyday use. Keep it tailored and you will still look chic.

Practical and stylish: “mottled” grey (Marc Jacobs) and plain brown (DKNY) herringbone tweed coat selections, available at Nordstrom.

Enjoy the day’s festivities with style. Christmas is a great opportunity to wear red, one of the season’s biggest fashion colours (if red clothing is too strong a statement, consider an accessory instead).

Whatever holidays you celebrate this festive season, we at YouLookFab wish you a healthy and happy time.

Stores usually go on 50%-80% off sales after Christmas. Not this year. I was surprised to see that Anne Taylor Loft and the Gap have already slashed their prices considerably.

• Ann Taylor Loft has reduced most of their party wear and accessories. Cashmere is 50% off; pullovers and cardigans are between $30-$40; knit tops are selling from $13 onwards.
• Gap is having an insane sale (a reaction to poor sales performance of late?). Most T-shirts are between $4-$10; hats and scarves between $7- $12; knitwear between $14-$18 and heavy winter coats for about $70. Note that in store discounts are deeper than those online (at the time of this post). 

Be sure to check out these sales if you can brave the crowds of last-minute Christmas shoppers.

Flimsy party dresses won’t keep you warm on chilly nights. Long dresses might help, but a coat is the real solution. Dressy trenches and structured winter coats are ideal. You’ll achieve the longest and leanest looking line with coats that are the same length as your dress, or longer. The same holds true for coats worn on top of skirts. Coats that fall shorter than the hem of your skirt or dress are not quite as flattering. While we can’t always buy separate coats for separate outfits, you should be be mindful of this if you happen to be looking for a new coat and you wear lots of skirts and dresses in winter.

Max Studio demonstrates a good line for coats worn over dresses.

You may have noticed the emerging “boyfriend jean” alongside the abundance of skinnies in stores at the moment. What a breath of fresh air! Boyfriend jeans are in keeping with this season’s androgynous trend.

There are two ways to look good in baggy and wide-legged boyfriend jeans:

• Casually with converse sneakers, a fitted knitted top and slouchy hobo.
• Smart casually with pointy toed heeled pumps, sheer top, cropped jacket and oversized tote.

Play up that boyish vibe and give these jeans a bash if you’re looking for an alternative to your bootcuts and skinnies. Remember to add those girlie touches through your accessories.

Boyfriend and wide-leg denim jeans from Gap and Old Navy.

Capes are the latest in coat styling this season. Although their lack of structure can be unflattering, they look sensational on the expectant mother. This roomy extra layer seems to do nothing but flatter a mother-to-be’s forever-changing shape.

Specialising in maternity wear, Isabella Oliver, “designs clothing for pregnant women who love clothes”. Her items are sophisticated and elegant and are well worth a look. The cape below is from her collection – she describes it as “a modern alternative that gives you the warmth without the weight”. It’s a super winter coverup and certainly an item that the expectant mother will grow into with comfort and grace.

A parka is an extremely casual puffer jacket that comes in a variety of lengths, shapes, fabrics and colours. It’s a fabulous fashion statement as it continues to be reinvented with new kinds of trim, fabric and stitching. When quilted with down, it’s also the warmest coat you’ll ever own.  I’m partial to parkas with fake fur trim as they tend to look softer and more feminine.

You do need to be careful that your Parka doesn’t make you look bigger than you are…

• Keep it shaped and structured – make sure that you choose a parka that has a defined waistline. This will keep your look refined and sophisticated. Bomber styles that blouson and welt below the waist are best suited to teenagers and juniors.
• Choose a style with flatter quilting – don’t choose styles that are overly puffy.

The practical parka is perfect for a weekend look that’s sporty and chic.

Perfect Parkas available at Macy’s, Bloomingdales and Nordstrom.

A trench coat is a lightweight single or double breasted, belted coat which had the original purpose of being water resistant. The house of Burberry created them; and the very first styles that were manufactured are not unlike the classic camel style that they still sell today.

Trench coats come in a dizzying array of colours, fabrics and style detailing – and they don’t need to be Burberry to be stylish. Their lightweight quality makes them ideal for milder climates, cool evenings and transitional seasonal weather.

Trenches can be:

• Smart casual – when made of cotton twill and paired with denim, a fun T, fashion sneakers and a messenger bag.
• Business casual – when made of better-end combed cotton twill and paired with slacks, a collared shirt, cardigan, heels and oversized tote.
• Formal – when made of a shiny fabric and popped over a cocktail dress and matched with hose, heels and a small clutch bag.

Single breasted trench coats will flatter all body types, while double breasted styles are a little trickier. Trench coats can often feel bulky simply because they’ve been made with too much fabric. Be mindful of this and select a style that is structured and lies close to your body.

A trusty trench is a must in any woman’s wardrobe – this timeless piece will never let you down!

The Burberry classic and two modern alternatives from Carmen Marc Valvo (Saks Fifth Avenue) and Calvin Klein (Macy’s).

While the right coat can increase your style quotient; the wrong one can do precisely the opposite. We need to be mindful of what works best for our body types.

Here are a few guidelines:

• Belted styles with soft self fabric ties are the best option for curvier figures. They enhance your shape and give you plenty of definition – both tied and untied. Single breasted styles are best for ladies with ample bosom, while double breasted styles are super for the less endowed.
• Trapeze styles are best on tall women. Petites tend to disappear in all that volume. Above the knee, more subtle A-line versions of this style are a better choice for shorter ladies.
• Classic single breasted princess seam coats are the ideal choice for well-endowed ladies. Avoid high buttoning double breasted styles and visible waist seams at all costs. A V-neck revere collar style with princess seams (seams that run from bust point to hem) will give you extra definition. Keeping your coat unbuttoned will accentuate that long lean line that you are looking for. This style is also another excellent option for curvier ladies.
• A-line Empire styles are perfect for pretty pear shapes. Large collars, puffed sleeves, double breasted styles, asymmetrical buttoning and oversized buttons are fun details to have on the top half of this type of coat.
• High buttoning, double breasted military styles are perfect for slight, less well-endowed women. Short pea coat styles or longer versions with cinched in belts will give you the shape that you are looking for.

While coat styles and body types may differ – there is one rule that always applies: keep your coat fitted snugly on the shoulders. This will automatically give you the tailoring and structure that you need for your most flattering look.

A belted style from Nordstrom. Classic single breasted and a-line asymmetrical styles from Macy’s. These styles happen to be maxi in length, which are not suited to petite heights of 5”3’ and below. Petites look best in coats that are no longer then knee length.

Coats are my favourite item of clothing. Whether it’s smart or casual, the correct coat never fails to make you look poised, elegant and sophisticated. A well-chosen coat can pull together almost any ensemble. A fabulous coat will kick your outfit up a few notches. As with boots, the assortment of coat styles available is growing each season. Many of the styles are timeless and with some savvy decisions you’ll be able to wear your coats season after season.

Coats can be divided into various categories:

• Trapeze – this unstructured A-line retro ‘50’s style coat is the look-of-the-season. Its voluminous character is spot on with the hottest trends. Its three quarter sleeve lengths might be off putting if you tend to get cold easily, but wearing the style with long gloves is a good solution.
• Trench – a classic single or double breasted belted style that Burberry made famous almost a century ago. It‘s usually best in some sort of water resistant fabric and always looks chic no matter what you wear it with.
• Double breasted – this military-inspired, structured style is sharp, crisp and immaculately tailored. Good at both above and below the knee, it’s another great option to capture this season’s fashion moment.
• Belted – coats that cinch in, tie differently at the waist. Self fabric ties are most popular, but actual structured belts are a more updated version. This versatile style is notorious for hiding a multitude of sins.
• Asymmetrical – these are coats at any length and style that have asymmetrical button stands. They are eye catching, interesting and especially effective when extremely tailored.   
• Toggle – these styles might remind you of your childhood but are just as stylish for you today if you are after something more playful. Toggle coats have toggle buttons and some sort of hood (usually detachable). They are most fun in a bright colour.
• Classic – the single breasted revere collar knee-length coat is the ultimate timeless option. This style suits all body types and is most flattering with princess seams (seams that run down from bust point to hem). A detachable fake fur collar and maxi length will add an unexpected level of old movie star glamour to this style.
• Evening – these coats are made of evening wear fabrics like brocade, velvet or silk blends. Embroidery is also common. Evening coats resemble dresses when buttoned up which is particularly useful for the party season.
• Empire line – coats with empire lines also give us that retro feeling. They are immensely feminine and neat as a pin.
• Cape – this dramatic high fashion statement is not for everyone - Dracula and Sherlock Holmes spring to mind.  Their unstructured quality can be unflattering.  If you have your heart set on one – consider a cropped version so that the rest of your shape shines through. 
• Parka – these coats are fabulous! A form fitting parka is the perfect answer to ultra casual dressing. Your wardrobe is not complete without one.
• Shearling and Fur – make sure that the fur is faux. These toasty Nordic inspired styles are super for casual weekend attire and the après ski setting.

There is an abundant array of coat styles to choose from this season – take your pick. With black and grey as the fashion colours, you might battle to get your colour of choice. Be mindful of the type of coat that is best suited to your height and body type (a topic that I will cover tomorrow). In the meantime – wrap up with style!

Belted (princess seams)                 Toggle                 Classic (princess seams)

  Empire Style                    Cropped Cape                 Structured Parka

Coats from Bebe, Banana Republic, Nordstrom, French Connection, Bloomingdales and Old Navy.