It's the most wonderful time of the year – for many reasons. Winter is the season for layers, and if you happen to love getting all dressed up, nothing says glamour like gorgeous plus-size winter coats. This is good news if you fear that the return of cold weather means you have to kiss your flair for sartorial genius goodbye for the season. If anything, winter is your chance to maximize your fashion prowess and put your best looks on display. Whether you're headed to a party or a tree-lighting ceremony, there are dozens of cute ways to dress up your look with the addition of the right coat.
A bit of structure is the easiest way to create a more defined look to dress up anything you have on underneath. You can easily make a pair of curvy fit jeans and a turtleneck look more pulled together when you belt a long wool coat on top. Step into a pair of boots and you'll be ready for anything, whether you're simply running errands or dropping the kids off to school in the morning. Structure is key during a season when more voluminous cuts tend to reign supreme. While you can't always avoid layering – it's key when it's freezing outside and you need to lock in body heat – a wool coat promotes a sleeker appearance that you might prefer when you want to transform your casual ensembles just a touch. Look for elements that help the piece stand out, like wide collars and self-tie belts, both of which elevate the style enough to give it an eye-catching, fashionable look.
Luxury is everything during winter. It's the season for warmth, comfort, elegance and all that glitters. Can you even imagine going without faux fur? If it's a detail that's new to you, make the most of it by selecting a coat featuring a tuft at the collar. It's an easy way to dress up a basic piece, lending everything you wear a little bit of extra, unexpected polish. A down coat with a pop of faux fur is fabulous for all-around winter wear. You can easily transition it from the workweek to off-duty moments with friends or date nights. Try yours with a pair of warm leggings, step into a pair of pumps and finish with a sleek turtleneck. You'll feel as toasty and trendy as possible and look the picture of a cold-weather fashion maven.
Accessorizing to the hilt is a must during the coldest months of the year. While it's easy to show off an armful of bangles or a major statement necklace during spring and summer, it's a little tougher when you need to cover the majority of your body just to step outside. To the rescue comes the little additions that make your plus-size coat look even more chic and flattering! Try a chunky scarf in a contrasting color over your fleece jacket, for example. Sling a crossbody bag in a vibrant hue over your squall coat to liven up your look. Playing with visible accessories can make all the difference when you want to make a style statement even when you're all bundled up.
Adding a rancher hat, a beanie, or a hat with fur or shearling trim is an accessory that complements your coat and scarf. When combining all three, well, that just takes your look to another level. While pairing these accessories, play with colors and patterns. For example, if you’re wearing a camel color coat, add a camel color rancher hat and a cream scarf or if you’re lucky enough to score a scarf that has a pattern in both colors it would elevate both your coat and your look as a whole. For a more casual look, pair your coat with a dad hat.
No matter what style of coat or jacket, don’t be afraid to wear a pair of chunky sunnies in the winter, the bigger the better. Winter is the perfect time you can wear those large goggle-style sunglasses that almost look like ski goggles.
Not only are sunglasses a year-round accessory, they are also practical since they keep debris out of your eyes when that cold wind passes by and can also help keep your contact lenses from drying out.
If you're headed out to a holiday party, just any old winter coat simply won't do. The idea is to ensure that both your topper and the dress you're wearing underneath play well with one another. They don't necessarily have to match, per se, but they should be stylistically coordinated to ensure a polished look that is appropriate for the occasion. You can start by taking your cue from the dress itself. The rich black notes in a vibrant leopard print, for example, provide you with the perfect starting point for selecting a plus-size rain jacket in a complementary black shade or a jacket with black fur trim. You can leave it unbelted if you want the dress to show in its entirety, or fasten it just enough that a touch of the pattern peeks through from underneath.
In general, it's best to opt for coat lengths that are about the same, or just a touch longer, as your dress. This helps establish a lean, eye-catching silhouette. If you're wearing a flared dress, make sure you avoid cropped lengths. The imbalance between the two silhouettes is simply too striking – and you don't want to risk looking like you threw something on without much effort. The aforementioned lean silhouette is key because it minimizes the dress hem and contributes to a refined silhouette from top to bottom. Step into a pair of heels or knee-high boots, depending on weather conditions, to complete this dressy look to perfection. For a dressy-casual look, drape your coat over your shoulders and wear your favorite sneakers. It’s the latest trend.