How to wear your coat as a dress: 3 Style Panel tips for tackling this fashion week trend
In these desperate days of the Polar Vortex, there’s no denying the functionality of a coat. It’s pretty much the only way to get out alive, but in the world of fashion, it’s also become the latest way to create a statement. Whether it’s flung over the shoulders of chic editors or worn as the whole kit and caboodle via the latest trend—the coat as dress—it’s an essential.
On the runway, Christopher Bailey showcased the coat-as-dress look in his Spring 2014 for Burberry Prorsum, with soft shoulder pastel coats, which were worn with virtually nothing underneath. On the street, Hanneli Mustaparta was captured by Tommy Ton rocked the look in voluminous Calvin Klein. Another street style favourite, Anna Dello Russo, lives for coatdress as the perfect accessory for a pair of bare legs.
So, how do mere mortals pull off the coat as dress trend? 3 Style Panel members try it out! While both Becky Kung of Velvet & Vino and Alex of To Vogue or Bust attempt the bare leg look, we suggest discretion at this time of year. After all, there’s nothing less chic than wind burned appendages! Pairing a stocking with a great winter coat can be just as effective when you focus on the details like Barbara Ann Solomon, who added a punch of luxury with the addition of a fur collar to the look.
For more tips and info on how to rock the coat as dress trend take a cue from our Style Panel this week.
Challenge 87: How to wear the coat-as-dress trend. What are your tips? Read the answers now! »
or jump to : ALEXANDRA GRANT, VANCOUVER |BARBARA ANN SOLOMAN, TORONTO |BECKY KUNG, CALGARY |
Barbara Ann Soloman,26
Toronto| Barbara Ann’s Style Blog
During the winter, here in Canada, your winter coat becomes like a second skin. It’s definitely something to invest in, to build some variety into your coat closet. To achieve the winter-coat-as-a-dress look, I think it’s all about the luxurious details. A coat is a coat, unless it’s something really special. When I saw this camel coat at Club Monaco a few seasons ago, I thought it was the perfect classic piece to take me anywhere during the winter. The coat came with this lush faux fur stole and I’ve added the leather belt, which was a gift from family in Paris and my favourite leopard booties making a simple coat quite the outfit. Keep the details the key aspects of your coat-as-dress look, and allow for the coat to work as the strong base and for the accessories to shine.
Barbara’s wearing: Coat, Club Monaco.Belt, gift.Tights, Joe Fresh.Booties, Jeffrey Campbell. Necklace, Mark Lash.
Alexandra Grant,25
Vancouver| To Vogue or Bust
Since your outerwear pretty much becomes your only-wear during the winter months, investing in coats that carry some impact is important. While this Obakki coat looks pretty practical in all its simplicity at first glance, the little details (like the gathering at the shoulders, the unique speckled wool, the slightly longer cut in the sleeves) make it unique, i.e. a piece that functions on its own as opposed to simply being a cover up. Look for similarly detail-oriented pieces to make your coats function both as everyday staples and style statements!
Alex’s wearing: Coat, Obakki. Booties, Zara. Hat, French Connection. Scarf, Isabel Marant for H&M scarf. Bag, 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target.
Becky Kung,30
Calgary| Velvet & Vino
I love pulling out my bold-coloured spring trench coat from the back of the closet and pairing it with a mid-waist belt to offer that coat-as-dress trend. And if you can brave the cold temperatures, I find the best way to embellish this look is by eliminating the stockings and going with bare legs, weather depending.
Becky’s wearing : Trench coat, JACOB.Booties, Zara. Belt, Gap.
![](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://fashionmagazine.com/style/coat-as-dress-style-panel/&title=How to wear your coat as a dress: 3 Style Panel tips for tackling this fashion week trend&picture=https://fashionmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Coat-as-Dress-Style-Panel.jpg&description=
In these desperate days of the Polar Vortex, there’s no denying the functionality of a coat. It’s pretty much the only way to get out alive, but in the world of fashion, it’s also become the latest way to create a statement. Whether it’s flung over the shoulders of chic editors or worn as the whole kit and caboodle via the latest trend---the coat as dress---it’s an essential.
On the runway, Christopher Bailey showcased the coat-as-dress look in his Spring 2014 for Burberry Prorsum, with soft shoulder pastel coats, which were worn with virtually nothing underneath. On the street, Hanneli Mustaparta was captured by Tommy Ton rocked the look in voluminous Calvin Klein. Another street style favourite, Anna Dello Russo, lives for coatdress as the perfect accessory for a pair of bare legs.
So, how do mere mortals pull off the coat as dress trend? 3 Style Panel members try it out! While both Becky Kung of Velvet & Vino and Alex of To Vogue or Bust attempt the bare leg look, we suggest discretion at this time of year. After all, there’s nothing less chic than wind burned appendages! Pairing a stocking with a great winter coat can be just as effective when you focus on the details like Barbara Ann Solomon, who added a punch of luxury with the addition of a fur collar to the look.
For more tips and info on how to rock the coat as dress trend take a cue from our Style Panel this week.
Challenge 87: How to wear the coat-as-dress trend. What are your tips? Read the answers now! »
or jump to : ALEXANDRA GRANT, VANCOUVER |BARBARA ANN SOLOMAN, TORONTO |BECKY KUNG, CALGARY |
[caption id="attachment_169546" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Photography by Trevor Negin[/caption]
Barbara Ann Soloman,26
Toronto| Barbara Ann's Style Blog
During the winter, here in Canada, your winter coat becomes like a second skin. It's definitely something to invest in, to build some variety into your coat closet. To achieve the winter-coat-as-a-dress look, I think it's all about the luxurious details. A coat is a coat, unless it's something really special. When I saw this camel coat at Club Monaco a few seasons ago, I thought it was the perfect classic piece to take me anywhere during the winter. The coat came with this lush faux fur stole and I've added the leather belt, which was a gift from family in Paris and my favourite leopard booties making a simple coat quite the outfit. Keep the details the key aspects of your coat-as-dress look, and allow for the coat to work as the strong base and for the accessories to shine.
Barbara’s wearing: Coat, Club Monaco.Belt, gift.Tights, Joe Fresh.Booties, Jeffrey Campbell. Necklace, Mark Lash.
Alexandra Grant,25
Vancouver| To Vogue or Bust
Since your outerwear pretty much becomes your only-wear during the winter months, investing in coats that carry some impact is important. While this Obakki coat looks pretty practical in all its simplicity at first glance, the little details (like the gathering at the shoulders, the unique speckled wool, the slightly longer cut in the sleeves) make it unique, i.e. a piece that functions on its own as opposed to simply being a cover up. Look for similarly detail-oriented pieces to make your coats function both as everyday staples and style statements!
Alex's wearing: Coat, Obakki. Booties, Zara. Hat, French Connection. Scarf, Isabel Marant for H&M scarf. Bag, 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target.
Becky Kung,30
Calgary| Velvet & Vino
I love pulling out my bold-coloured spring trench coat from the back of the closet and pairing it with a mid-waist belt to offer that coat-as-dress trend. And if you can brave the cold temperatures, I find the best way to embellish this look is by eliminating the stockings and going with bare legs, weather depending.
Becky’s wearing : Trench coat, JACOB.Booties, Zara. Belt, Gap.){kind=link}