Fall and winter may have brought out long peacoats and trenches before,
but not this year. One of the most sought-after pieces for the upcoming
season will be the shrunken jacket, in a variety of styles. The
difference between these new, tinier versions of your traditional
autumn and winter favorites is their length; cuts are the same as
traditional coats, but they hit slightly above the waist and often tie
or button under the chest. The beauty of these new pieces is that they
provide coverage in colder months without sacrificing sexiness or
femininity.
The perfect jacket is one of the most important elements of your
wardrobe, and with so many shapes and fabrics available this fall, it
would be a crime to choose just one. The ever-present denim jacket is
back with a new vengeance. Instead of the washes of last season or
bulkiness of years before, this season’s denim jacket is soft,
body-conscious and far more feminine than the traditional denim jacket.
Corduroy and leather are back again, cropped and ready to be worn over
anything from your favorite dress to distressed jeans.
A new take on an old favorite is safe, but take advantage on the
amazing new fabrics and styles the end of the year has to offer.
Brocade is big this season and some of the most sought-after new
jackets are made of the rich, detailed design. Many of these brocaded,
boudoir-style jackets are trimmed in rich velvet or lace piping and can
be paired with tweed trousers of you favorite jeans. Many of these new
jackets are cut at the hip but some are reaching even higher—cropped
just below the chest (H & M). Made in rich, new fabrics like tweed
and velvet, these jackets have mixed a traditionally matronly fabric
with a cut and cling that makes it youthful and sexy. Even faux fur and
metallic finishes are adorning the newest trend (Allen B. by Allen
Schwartz).
Getting short isn’t the only new addition to a cold weather favorite.
Sleeves are getting revamped this season, retro-style. Traditional coat
fabrics like houndstooth are being used in a new way. Bell sleeves
(think bellbottom sleeves, cut below the elbow) mix cropped length with
a traditional fabric and throwback to 70s style (Banana Republic).
You’ll also see a mini version of the military jacket this season; a
cropped, girlie take on the long, heavy style, adorned with brass
buttons and zippers (Bebe).
The beauty of these new jackets is the versatility they bring to your
own style: mix them with denim, dresses, skirts and trousers. Since
there isn’t one specific style or fabric that will reign this fall, all
styles and sizes can take advantage of a new take on an old favorite.
