Ladies Winter Wool Coats: Find the Best Coat to Cure Coldness
When the cold creeps in, many of us fear the cold winter months ahead as we scrabble to our wardrobes and the James Meade mail order catalogue, to shop for the warmest clothes to protect and comfort us.
Lets get your wardrobe ready for winter.
Reasons for Selecting a Wool Coat this Winter
Wool coats, crafted from nature's finest natural fibres, possess unparalleled qualities that make them an impeccable choice. Their insulating properties trap heat and remain breathable, ensuring you stay snug without feeling stifled. Plus, wool has a natural ability to repel moisture, keeping you warm and dry during those wintry showers. Its durability and time-tested elegance make it an investment that transcends fleeting trends.
What Should I Look for When Buying a Wool Coat?
Fit: A well-fitted coat is the epitome of elegance. It should complement your silhouette without being overly snug or bulky. Make sure to size up so you can fit your winter layers underneath the coat - this will prevent any bulky looks.Materials: Pay attention to the type of wool used, whether it's lambswool, pure wool, or a wool blend. The wool blend is a personal preference, depending on the breathability of your garment.
Warmth: Consider the coat's insulation and thickness, ensuring it provides adequate warmth for your climate. If you are naturally quite cold, consider a denser knit to insulate you in the chilly weather. If you get warm easily, consider a finer wool for breathability.
Style: Choose a design that resonates with your personal style and can effortlessly transition from day to night. Consider what you will wear underneath the garment to aid in dressing up or down for events. Perhaps add a turtleneck top for warmth during the day, or layer a slip-over and a blouse for more formal events. A winter coat is people's first perception of you this season, consider something you think is a fitting summary of your style.
Are Wool Coats Still in Style?
Fear not, wool coats have an enduring charm that never fades away. They are often considered a staple of capsule wardrobes as they have yet to go out of style since their introduction in the early 1800s. Practical and stylish, here at James Meade we specialise in making coats that will not date and can be worn time and time again.
What Kind of Wool Coat Should I Buy?
Before selecting your coat, reflect on your preferences:
Lambswool: Soft to the touch, temperature-regulating wool.
Pure Wool: Benchmark of quality and resilience, natural Insulation.
Wool Mix: Versatile and functional, blends can offer benefits such as easy care and crease resistance.
Tweed: Textured elegance and timeless appeal.
Factors influencing your choice:
Style Preferences: Are you drawn to classic cuts or contemporary designs?
Occasion: Consider where you'll wear it and what you will pair it with. Travelling or volunteering, straight legged trousers and a smart blouse. Casual outings, a stylish turtle neck and a classic pair of jeans. For formal events, a nice dress or tailored separates.
Body Shape: Opt for styles and colours that flatter your body. If you are an hourglass shape consider a deconstructed look this will enhance your features and create an elegant look without looking bulky.
Oval body shapes, your clothes should hang from your shoulders so you should, utilise straight clothing lines to avoid unnecessary volume. Much like the hourglass the deconstructed look will compliment your shape.
For a triangle body shape, opt for details on your upper half, and double breasted will compliment your curves and make your upper half appear fuller.
Rectangle body shape will suit structured and shaped outerwear, much like the triangle body type will suit double-breasted styles.
Colour Type: Knowing your colour type is useful for determining what colours best suit you.
For example, if you are a cool colour type your complementary colours are a mix of grey and dark neutrals with pastel pinks and blues as your complementary colours for tops or smaller aspects of your outfit.
If you consider yourself a soft colour type you best suit earthy colours, greens and blues, neutral browns, so perhaps throw in a dark purple as a statement colour.
How Should a Wool Coat Fit?
Strike a balance between snugness and bulkiness:
Avoid Bulkiness: A well-tailored coat should drape nicely without excessive bulk.
Size Up or Down: Choose a size that allows for layering but maintains a sleek silhouette.
The arms of your coat are the most crucial part of the fit as you don’t want to sacrifice your free movement for style. With any winter coat the best practice is to size up, no matter how cosy the coat to ensure it fits comfortably with all your winter layers. You know you have a good fit when your coat is on, zipped up, and you can still hug a loved one without your arms feeling constrained or your sleeves riding up to high.
How Do I Care for my Winter Coat?
Caring for your wool coat ensures it remains a cherished piece for years:
Hang it up correctly: Try to avoid hanging your coat up by the hook on the back of the neck. A heavy coat will pull the fabric out of shape leaving a bump in the neck. Instead, hang it on a coat hanger that will support the shoulders allowing the coat to hang as it would if it were on your person.
Air it out: If your coat is to be living in a wardrobe make sure to let it sit in an open room to air after wearing, this helps prevent any odour from clinging to your coat allowing you to wash it less. If the coat is wet let it air until it is dry to the touch.
Repair ASAP: If you notice the beginning of any holes or fraying, make sure to fix it as soon as you are able. With any clothing leaving the issue will allow it to grow and wear away more, making it a more strenuous and expensive job to fix.
Clean Infrequently: Wool is naturally antibacterial and odour-resistant, so cleaning your coats should be incredibly infrequent. If you get a stain on your wool coat - spot-clean it with stain remover or liquid laundry detergent.
Hair Cut for Your Coat: Wool coats naturally pill, so make sure to shave off the excess bobbly bits. Getting rid of the excess fibres should become a natural part of your coat care routine, it makes the coat look new again by keeping it tidy.
How Long Will My Wool Coat Last?
With proper care and maintenance, a high-quality wool coat can last for many winters, making it a timeless investment worth its weight in warmth and style.
A good quality winter coat will last up to 5 years with average use and care, it is possible it can last well past 10 years if you care for it dutifully. When thinking long term about your coat address your concerns sooner rather then later. If you are concerned about fading pick a neutral colour which will show less obvious signs or if losing shape concerns you, choose a coat with a good lining to prevent fabric stretching.
What Temperature Should It Be Before I Wear a Wool Coat?
Your comfort level may vary, so trust your instincts and don your coat when you start feeling the chill. However, as a rule of thumb, once temperatures dip below 10°C, it's time to cosy up with your woollen companion.
Conclusion
Remember, choosing a wool coat isn't just about practicality, it's a reflection of your taste and personality. Embrace the warmth and elegance of a wool coat, and let it be a statement of your enduring style.
