Coats: What Type Should I Buy for My Body Shape?

The perfect coat is more than a seasonal necessity—it’s a structural garment that defines your silhouette, anchors your winter wardrobe, and often serves as the first impression of your outfit. But buying a coat that looks good and actually fits well is one of the most misunderstood areas of shopping. Standard size charts rarely account for shape, layering needs, or the variations between brands. At Tellar.co.uk, we solve that by matching your measurements to 1,500+ coat brands in real time, giving you precise, shape-friendly recommendations.

This guide explores the technical fit considerations for coats based on your body shape, what to avoid, which brands suit each frame, and how Tellar.co.uk can eliminate size guesswork for good.

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1. Why Coat Fit Is Different From Other Outerwear

Coats must accommodate layering without becoming bulky, retain structure without stiffness, and balance your proportions while keeping you warm. Poorly-fitted coats account for over 26% of online returns (source: IMRG 2024), and most of that comes down to incorrect shoulder-to-hip balance or unexpected fabric stiffness.

Unlike lighter jackets, coats require thoughtful attention to:

• Layering volume (midweight knits, scarves)

• Fabric drape vs. structure

• Hem length relative to height and body proportions

With Tellar.co.uk, you can identify exactly which brands offer coats that work for your measurements and your shape—before you buy.

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2. Know Your Body Shape for the Right Silhouette

Before buying, define your core shape based on measurements:

🔎 Use Tellar.co.uk’s free profile tool to calculate these accurately with just chest, waist, and hip measurements in either cm or inches.

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3. Coats for the Hourglass Body

Top Styles:

• Wrap coats with tie belts

• Tailored single-breasted coats

• Peacoats with nipped-in waists

Technical Fit Tips:

• Choose coats with waist darting or princess seams to define your natural shape.

• Look for medium-weight fabrics that hold structure without overwhelming curves.

• Shoulder seams must sit exactly on the shoulder to maintain symmetry.

Avoid:

• Oversized coats without definition.

• Drop-shoulder styles that blur structure.

📍 Use Tellar to match your waist-to-hip ratio with brands like Reiss, Hobbs, and Me+Em—start your profile here.

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4. Coats for the Pear-Shaped Body

Top Styles:

• A-line coats that skim the hips

• Structured-shoulder coats or funnel necks

• Cropped pea coats that end above the hip

Avoid:

• Longline styles that hug the hips tightly.

• Boxy cuts that mask the upper half without balancing proportions.

Fabric Note:

Opt for double-face wool or structured twill with upward visual lines like vertical seams or buttons.

✅ Compare shoulder-to-hip sizing with Tellar’s brand-specific size charts to avoid ordering too large around the bust.

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5. Coats for Apple-Shaped Bodies

Top Styles:

• Duster coats with open fronts

• Single-breasted overcoats

• Wrap coats without too much fabric layering

Avoid:

• Coats with heavy padding or oversized lapels.

• Cropped shapes that stop at the widest point of your torso.

Fit Tip:

Look for lightly structured designs with vertical seams and no bulky closures. A longer hem elongates the frame and draws attention downward.

🧥 Use Tellar to identify which brands cut generously through the midsection, such as Baukjen, Uniqlo, or COS.

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6. Coats for Rectangle Shapes

Top Styles:

• Double-breasted tailored coats

• Wrap coats with wide belts

• Coats with flared hems or embellishments

Avoid:

• Boxy cuts with no definition.

• Flat-front designs with no seam interest.

Pro Tip:

Look for contrast lapels, asymmetric hems or textural fabrics (like boucle or brushed wool) to break up the visual line.

🎯 Tellar.co.uk helps you find structured coat options from brands like Zara, & Other Stories, and Massimo Dutti based on your precise measurements—start here.

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7. Coats for Inverted Triangle Shapes

Top Styles:

• A-line or swing coats

• Coats with minimal shoulder detailing

• Funnel-neck wool coats or wrap styles

Avoid:

• Shoulder pads, large collars or epaulettes.

• Broad double-breasted lapels.

Fabric Tip:

Heavier lower hems (e.g., bonded wool) can help visually balance the shoulders.

📌 Use Tellar’s sizing tool to see how shoulder and hip measurements compare brand to brand.

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8. Coat Construction and Fabric Considerations

Technical coat quality isn’t just aesthetic—it affects fit, warmth, and longevity.

💡 Want to factor in layering space? Tellar’s tool adjusts sizing recommendations based on outerwear layers and fabric structure. Create your profile here.

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9. Common Coat Fit Mistakes to Avoid

✅ Tellar also tracks brands that run small or large across shoulders, chest, and hips. View that data at: /store-size-lookup/

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10. Recommended Brands by Body Shape

🛍️ See how each brand translates your measurements into coat sizing here: www.tellar.co.uk

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Final Fit Checklist for Coats

• ✓ Shoulder seams: Should align with your actual shoulder tip.

• ✓ Bust area: No pulling or gaping when buttoned.

• ✓ Waist shaping: Should align with your natural waist—not your hips.

• ✓ Sleeve length: Ends at the wrist bone, not past the thumb.

• ✓ Hemline: Long coats should fall below the knee unless intentionally cropped.

📏 Use Tellar’s free printable tape measure to get these right.

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Call to Action: Take the Uncertainty Out of Coat Shopping

A well-fitted coat is an investment piece that should work every time—not a gamble. Whether you’re browsing designer options or high street outerwear, Tellar.co.uk ensures your coat matches both your measurements and your body shape.

🎯 Here’s what to do next:

1. Create your free Tellar profile

2. Measure yourself with our printable guide

3. Find your coat size in 1,500+ brands instantly

🛍 Find your size in 1,500+ brands real-time. It’s free & easy.

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