The Ultimate Guide to Jackets & Coats: How to Style & Where to Buy

The right jacket or coat can transform your entire outfit, boost your confidence, and keep you stylish through every season. As someone who's spent years helping women navigate the overwhelming world of outerwear, I'm here to demystify jackets and coats, showing you exactly how to choose, style, and shop for pieces that'll become the workhorses of your wardrobe.

Whether you're after a timeless trench that'll last decades or a statement blazer for board meetings, getting your outerwear right is crucial. The wrong fit can ruin an otherwise perfect outfit, whilst the perfect jacket can make even your most basic pieces look expensive and intentional.

Understanding Your Body Shape & Jacket Silhouettes

Before we dive into styles, let's talk fit. I've seen too many women wearing gorgeous jackets that simply don't flatter their figure. The key is understanding which silhouettes work for your body shape.

Apple Shapes

Look for jackets that create definition at your waist without clinging. Open-front blazers, waterfall cardigans, and coats with a gentle A-line work beautifully. Avoid cropped styles that cut you off at your widest point.

Pear Shapes

You want to balance your proportions by adding volume to your upper half. Structured blazers with shoulder details, double-breasted coats, and jackets with interesting lapels are your friends. Cropped styles can work wonderfully to show off your waist.

Hourglass Figures

Lucky you! Most styles will work, but fitted blazers, belted coats, and anything that nips in at the waist will showcase your natural curves beautifully.

Rectangle Shapes

Create curves with belted styles, peplum jackets, and coats with interesting textures or details around the waist and hips.

Essential Jacket & Coat Styles Every Woman Needs

The Classic Blazer

Your most versatile piece. I recommend investing in one excellent blazer in navy, black, or a neutral tone. It should fit perfectly through the shoulders (this can't be altered easily), with sleeves hitting just above your wrist bone.

Brand Recommendations:High Street: Mango (excellent tailoring), & Other Stories, CosPremium: Reiss, Whistles, ArketDesigner: Theory, Acne Studios, Isabel Marant

The Trench Coat

Timeless, elegant, and endlessly versatile. A good trench should hit mid-thigh to knee length, with a defined waist and quality hardware. This is worth investing in—a well-made trench will last decades.

Brand Recommendations:High Street: Everlane, Selected Femme, MangoPremium: Hobbs, Jigsaw, SezaneDesigner: Burberry (the original), A.P.C., Ganni

The Statement Coat

This is where you can have fun. Whether it's a bold colour, interesting texture, or dramatic silhouette, your statement coat should make you feel fabulous every time you wear it.

Brand Recommendations:High Street: Zara, H&M Studio line, MonkiPremium: Toast, Ganni, Ba&shDesigner: Jacquemus, Rejina Pyo, Stand Studio

The Practical Winter Coat

Function doesn't mean sacrificing style. Look for coats with good insulation, weather-resistant fabrics, and flattering cuts that work over chunky knits.

Brand Recommendations:High Street: Uniqlo (excellent down coats), Marks & Spencer, NextPremium: Rains, Stutterheim, Filippa KDesigner: Canada Goose, Moncler, Woolrich

The Leather Jacket

The ultimate cool-girl piece. Whether you prefer classic biker style or a more refined blazer cut in leather, this investment piece adds edge to any outfit.

Brand Recommendations:High Street: Mango (surprising quality), Weekday, TopshopPremium: AllSaints, Muubaa, DeadwoodDesigner: Acne Studios, The Kooples, Saint Laurent

Styling Your Jackets & Coats

The Blazer Formula

Blazer + jeans + white tee = effortless chic. But don't stop there. Try your blazer over slip dresses, with wide-leg trousers, or even over a hoodie for that high-low mix that's so current.

Coat Layering Secrets

The key to elegant layering is varying your lengths and textures. A cropped jumper under a longer blazer, or a midi dress under a shorter coat creates visual interest and flatters most figures.

Proportions Matter

If you're wearing a voluminous coat, balance it with fitted bottoms. Conversely, if you're in wide-leg trousers, opt for a more fitted jacket to avoid overwhelming your frame.

Fabric & Quality Guide

When investing in outerwear, fabric quality makes an enormous difference to both appearance and longevity. Here's what to look for:

Wool Coats

Look for at least 70% wool content for durability and warmth. Cashmere blends are luxurious but require more care. Virgin wool holds its shape better than recycled fibres.

Leather & Faux Leather

Real leather ages beautifully but requires investment. Good faux leather has come a long way—look for pieces with realistic texture and avoid anything too shiny.

Cotton & Blends

Perfect for transitional pieces like trench coats and lightweight blazers. Cotton-poly blends offer easy care, whilst pure cotton provides better breathability.

Seasonal Styling Strategies

Spring Transitions

Light blazers, denim jackets, and unlined trench coats are perfect for unpredictable spring weather. Pastels and fresh colours work beautifully this season.

Summer Evenings

Lightweight blazers, linen jackets, and kimono-style cover-ups are ideal for summer styling. Think breathable fabrics and relaxed silhouettes.

Autumn Layering

This is when your jacket collection really shines. Layer knits under blazers, experiment with texture mixing, and embrace rich colours like burgundy, forest green, and burnt orange.

Winter Warmth

Don't sacrifice style for warmth. Look for coats with removable linings for versatility, and remember that accessories like scarves and gloves can add both function and flair.

Shopping Smart: What to Look For

When shopping for jackets and coats, always try before you buy if possible. Here's my checklist:

• Shoulders should fit perfectly—this is the hardest alteration

• Sleeves should hit at your wrist bone when arms are at your sides

• Check the lining quality—it affects how the garment drapes

• Test pocket placement and functionality

• Consider care requirements—some pieces need professional cleaning

• Think about versatility—will this work with multiple outfits?

Perfect Sizing Made Simple with Tellar.co.uk

Finding the right size in different brands can be frustrating—what's a size 12 in one brand might be a 14 in another. That's where Tellar.co.uk becomes invaluable.

As the UK's leading sizing tool, Tellar matches your body measurements to over 1500 brands instantly. Here's how it works:

1. Measure once using your bust, waist, hip measurements, or your existing brand size

2. Use their Store Size Lookup tool to get your precise size in any brand—COS, Reiss, Everlane, Arket & more

3. Always free, no downloads needed—works in-browser

Plus, there's the Tellar Fashion Hub—a library packed with free posts from top stylists. Honest, unbiased, independent advice that's always free, covering style advice, top picks, and the best brands.

For more detailed sizing guidance, check out The Ultimate Clothing Sizing Guide on their hub.

Whether you're shopping for that perfect blazer or hunting for the ideal winter coat, knowing your exact size in each brand takes the guesswork out of online shopping and ensures you get pieces that fit beautifully every time.

Building Your Jacket Capsule

Start with these five pieces, and you'll have outerwear sorted for every occasion:

1. One excellent blazer in a neutral colour

2. A classic trench coat

3. A warm winter coat that flatters your figure

4. A leather or faux leather jacket

5. One statement piece that makes you smile

Remember, the best jacket or coat is one that makes you feel confident and comfortable. Don't be swayed by trends if they don't suit your lifestyle or body shape. Invest in quality pieces that you'll reach for repeatedly, and you'll build a wardrobe that serves you beautifully for years to come.

Happy shopping, and remember—the right outerwear doesn't just keep you warm, it completes your entire look with style and confidence.

For more styling guides and fashion advice, explore the latest denim trends and discover the ultimate dress guide on Tellar's fashion hub.