Have you ever asked: "Why do all my coats make me look bulky instead of chic?" and "Why do my coats make me look like a marshmallow?"
A coat looks bulky when it adds volume without adding shape. The fix is a defined waist, a length that matches your boots, and slim layers underneath. A trench coat does all three better than almost any other coat, which is why it is the easiest place to start.
Why your coats make you look bulky
Most bulk comes from three things. The coat has no waist, so it falls straight from the shoulders. The layers underneath are thick, so the coat stretches over them. Or the hem stops at an awkward point that cuts the leg off.
A trench solves the first problem by design. It is tailored through the shoulders and almost always belted.
5 ways to wear a trench without the bulk
- Belt it. A cinched waist is the fastest way to turn a coat from shapeless to sharp. The VIVIENNE-MERLOT TRENCH COAT and the COREN-OLIVE LONG FAUX LEATHER TRENCH COAT both come with removable belts, so you can cinch them or wear them open.
- Go long and lean. A longer coat creates one unbroken vertical line, which reads slimmer than a short, boxy one. The HALOIR-GREY TRENCH COAT is a 56-inch double-breasted maxi with structured lapels, cut to contour the frame.
- Keep it thin underneath. Swap the chunky sweater for a bodysuit, a fitted knit or a slip dress. The coat should skim your body, not stretch over it.
- Choose a fabric that holds its shape. Structured fabrics like faux leather and denim keep a clean line instead of puffing out. Try COREN-OLIVE in high-gloss faux leather, or a denim duster like LUCIENNE-LTDENIM or EVESSA-DKDENIM.
- Close the gap with tall boots. With a long coat, tall boots or a long hemline underneath keep the line continuous from collar to floor.
Three trench outfits that look polished, not puffy
- Grey maxi: HALOIR-GREY over a fitted black mini dress and tall boots. Keep the dress simple so the length and lapels do the work.
- Merlot, belted: VIVIENNE-MERLOT cinched over a silk slip dress with chocolate boots.
- Olive night out: COREN-OLIVE over a fitted bodysuit, straight-leg denim and ankle boots.
FAQ
Why do my coats make me look bulky instead of chic? Usually because the coat has no waist definition, sits over thick layers, or ends at a length that cuts your leg line. Belting the coat and wearing thinner layers underneath fixes most of it.
How do I look trendy in winter without looking like a marshmallow? Skip shapeless puffers as your only coat. Choose a structured, belted coat like a trench, and let one statement element (color, length or texture) carry the look.
Which AZALEA WANG trench coats have a belt? VIVIENNE-MERLOT and COREN-OLIVE both include a removable belt, as do the LUCIENNE-LTDENIM and EVESSA-DKDENIM denim trenches.