About Coats

Hello again everyone,
With these final autumn days getting colder, winter is almost upon us. It's time for Lolita fashion to swing into full time winter mode too, and the most important item you'll need in this season is definitely a coat! I'm sure many of you out there are more summery types that dislike the cold, but if you have a trusty coat, then you can enjoy your winter outings too. To those of you that are still in high gear from the end of summer or you haven't quite decided what to do to wear this season, let's talk a little about winter coats.

A Traditional Silhouette

The most commonly seen style of coat in Lolita fashion is one that cuts a shapely figure, with seams running down to the hem from the shoulders in the front and back, and flaring out from a tight waist line to look much like a dress. This silhouette is referred to as a "Princess Line" and in Lolita fashion its special feature is that the skirt part of the coat is a little more flowing than average coats. This cut works well with skirts that have panniers underneath or more dressy skirts. In comparison, a coat that has a very straight cut might not be able to suppress a skirt with a pannier, so keep this in mind.

Details

No matter what shape of coat, in general, Sweet Lolita tends to have lively decorations on the top and bottom of the coat and classical or elegant Lolita fashion tends to have more subdued or simpler designs by comparison. The same goes for colors. The former tends to be more vibrant and colorful, while the latter focuses on calmer tones. (Black is an all-around color that is used by just about every brand.) Choose a color that matches your preference and also the occasion that you will wear it on.
Many coats have ribbons, motifs or belts on the back of the waist to enhance a cute image from behind. Lace up coats are beautiful and can be adjusted to fit each individual's silhouette. When adjusting the lacing, first lace up when you are not wearing it, then try it on for size. If it is too loose or too tight, take it off again and re-lace it to fit, adjusting little by little.

Removable Parts

Capes, fur trim, ribbons and such parts are usually removable. Although coats are usually worn with all the original parts attached, taking off a cape in exchange for a scarf can give you a lot more looks from just one outfit.
Mix and match well and you can use just one coat to create many different styles for your winter outings. If you'd like to be able to wear your coat for casual occasions; for going to work or school, then you might want to choose one that can be quite simple after removing accessories.

Coat with a cape

When speaking of Lolita fashion, this is the most standard winter coat. It has a lot of impact with the elegant and cute silhouette of the cape around the shoulders and is the exact image of what a princess might wear on her outings. By just wearing this style of coat you can reach a completely high class level of Lolita fashion. Every year, this type of coat is produced by many Lolita fashion brands, so shop around until you find the perfect one for you. As I mentioned before, the charm of this coat is in being able to remove the cape, maximizing your options.

Capeless coat

Here we have capeless coats, like the Princess Line style (or something quite similar), as I explained above. Although coats with capes can be made like this by removing the cape, if you tend to carry a bag on your shoulder,
you might want to choose a capeless kind from the beginning. Also good for anyone who is a bit resistant to the idea of capes. This style of coat has a crisp silhouette and accessorizes well.

A-line

A-line coats have a high waist that plumes out down to the hem. Since the waist is not accented in this style, it makes a sweet, child-like impression. Since this shape is loose and flowing, no matter what you wear underneath it shouldn't affect the silhouette of the coat. Matching with a beret or similar will make a very innocent image. The length is a bit shorter, but that makes it look all the more light and airy.

Cape

Although capes are not carried by many brands, they do pop up every now and then in Lolita fashion. There are no sleeves, so they have a loose fit and are a bit longer than the capes attached to coats. They tend to billow a little when one walks, which is very cute. Here too, choose one that is not too long for a cuter image. If you're concerned about the cold, wear warm layers underneath and choose a heavier material.

Long coat

Although Lolita fashion usually focuses on items around knee length, those who are looking for a more mature image might try a long coat. Since they are longer, they tend to bit a little more pricey, but their lush appearance makes them look gorgeous. Arrange together with accessories and a lovely hair style, and you can look like a real aristocrat. Depending on the material, long coats can be quite heavy, so choose something made from a lighter fabric that is warm and elegant.

Since the colored area of a coat is very large, it's important to choose your color carefully. For your first coat, I recommend matching with a pair of shoes you have or a purse that you like to wear a lot. A plain colored coat might look too bland at times, so try leaving the bottom open in front to show off the color of your skirt as an accent point. You can try this anytime since it's a shame not to show off your pretty skirt.
Also, over a simple coat you can wear a broach or corsage, try wearing a long necklace over the outside of your coat, or arrange with a fur tippet (similar to a scarf) to snazz up your outfit.
We'll end our talk about coats here today. So, are you looking forward to enjoying the cold days to come? There are lots of fun parties and events in the winter season, so you can fashionably enjoy them in your winter attire! See you next time!