Wool Coats & Turtleneck Sweaters Appreciation Post
Photographed wearing a Mango overcoat and vintage Céline cashmere sweater.
The sharpness of the lapels, the crisp, symmetrical ribs of the underlying knit . . . a match made in heaven. Name a better pairing than wool coats and turtleneck sweaters, I’ll wait. Clearly I feel very passionately about this, so it’s safe to say this is my go-to during the fall and winter months. After all, I spend the first early days of September perched by the window waiting for the visual or auditory signal of the first fallen leaf, which serves as a cue to me, from Mother Nature, that coat season and sweater weather is upon us. And so I then sprint up the stairs, dash into my room, delve into my closet, and adorn myself with all things wool, tweed, corduroy, cashmere, flannel, velvet, etc., so long as they are heavy, warm, and preferably neutral in tone. I never used to give a second thought to outerwear—evidently I feel very differently about this now. In fact, shouldn’t we all stop underappreciating our outer layers (I mean this at all levels of interpretation)? Especially if you live in a climate as cold, wet, and dreary as mine this time of year, coats and jackets are likely adhered to you from the second you step outside your house until you step back into it at the end of a long day of errands or commuting. With such garments on display for the majority of the day (rhyme unintended but welcomed), doesn’t it make sense to invest just as much pleasure in dressing to the final layer? Personally, I feel that a good coat is a staple in anyone’s wardrobe and that it can completely make or break an outfit. Consider it the finishing touch (*chef’s kiss*).
A long coat, whether oversized or fitted, atop a knit of the chunky or form-fitting variety is an ensemble to behold. And if it’s accompanied by a high collar turtleneck, it’s pretty much orgasmic. There’s something so big-city-girl and boss-lady about it. Or maybe I’m just constantly striving to attain the artful illusion of looking put together when in reality it feels like my life couldn’t be farther from it.
I give much consideration to the anatomy of a coat (Of course I do. If I didn’t obsess over something like this, it would just be plain WEIRD). For instance the larger and sharper, or more defined, the lapels, the better, in my opinion. I think it’s important to emphasize the neck and accentuate the shoulder breadth, thereby giving the appearance of trimness and excellent posture. Now for the buttons, oh god the buttons . . . they can be tricky. It’s imperative, in my eyes, that such detail not detract too much from the look by being overly colorful, garish, and/or plastic-y when they ought not to be given the overall textile tone. As a rule of thumb, simple and understated is the way to go. Rarely ever is there a fashion blunder with the timeless classics of a solid or marbled black, grey, or tortoiseshell pattern. As for coat vents, they’re a mandatory consideration for me personally. I find not only movement (of myself and the fabric) to be less inhibited and more free-flowing, but these slits also convey a better illusion of length and proportionality of the posterior silhouette.
If you happen to be shopping for a winter coat at this time, I hope these tips prove helpful. If not and just reading for pleasure, thank you very much, and as always, I hope you’ve enjoyed my ramblings.