Coats: What Type Should I Buy for My Body Shape?

Coats are one of the biggest wardrobe investments you’ll make. More than just a layer of warmth, the right coat brings structure, elegance, and polish to any outfit—if it fits your body properly. Yet most people buy coats based on style, not shape. The result? Bulky silhouettes, poor proportions, and a constant battle with comfort and confidence.

This guide outlines the best types of coats for each body shape, offers technical buying advice, and shows you how to take the guesswork out of sizing with tellar.co.uk—the UK’s leading free sizing tool, matching your measurements to over 1,500+ brands.

🧭 Why Coat Fit Matters More Than Ever

Unlike fast fashion tops or seasonal jeans, a good coat is an investment—both in cost and in wear. The average person wears their coat over 180 days a year in the UK. Yet coat sizing is one of the least standardised areas in fashion, with up to 30% variation between brands for the same labelled size.

That’s where tellar.co.uk comes in.

By creating a profile with your chest, waist, and hip measurements, you get instant coat size recommendations tailored to your exact shape—no more trial and error, no more guesswork.

👉 Create your free profile and compare sizes across Zara, COS, Reiss, H&M, Massimo Dutti and more.

📏 Measurements to Know Before Buying a Coat

For coat shopping, precise measurements are key:

• Chest circumference (widest part of your bust)

• Waist circumference

• Hip circumference

• Shoulder width

• Arm length (from shoulder to wrist)

• Coat length preference (short, mid, or full length)

💡 Tip: Use Tellar’s free printable measuring tape to input accurate data into your profile. This powers personalised recommendations based on real brand sizing.

👗 Best Coats for Each Body Shape

1. Hourglass Shape (Defined waist, balanced shoulders and hips)

Ideal styles:

• Wrap coats with belts – naturally highlight the waist

• Fit-and-flare styles – mimic your proportions

• Single-breasted wool coats – streamline without hiding curves

Avoid:

• Boxy or oversized coats that flatten your shape

• High-neck puffer coats with no waist definition

Recommended brands:

• Karen Millen – Beautiful belted long coats in premium wool

• Massimo Dutti – Sleek, minimal tailoring that enhances waistlines

• Reiss – Structured long coats that follow body lines

🧥 tellar.co.uk to compare your perfect fit in all three.

2. Pear Shape (Wider hips, narrower upper body)

Ideal styles:

• A-line coats – skim over hips without clinging

• Cropped or above-hip lengths – elongate legs and reduce volume

• Funnel or statement collars – draw focus upwards

Avoid:

• Hip-length puffers or parkas that cut across the widest point

• Long double-breasted coats without shoulder structure

Recommended brands:

• Zara – Funnel-neck and asymmetric closure styles

• & Other Stories – Cropped wool coats with top-heavy detailing

• Whistles – Clean lines with elevated collar design

📎 Find the right fit across high street and designer options.

3. Apple Shape (Fuller bust/midsection, slim legs and hips)

Ideal styles:

• Open front coats – reduce emphasis on the waist

• Wrap styles with soft ties – adjustable for your comfort

• Straight-cut coats with vertical panels – elongate the torso

Avoid:

• Cropped jackets or swing coats that widen the top half

• Bulky down coats unless nipped in at the waist

Recommended brands:

• H&M Premium – Clean, open styles in soft wool blends

• Me+Em – Tailored wrap coats with visual length

• Baukjen – Eco coats that prioritise comfort and silhouette balance

📏 tellar.co.uk will make sure the coat doesn’t pull at the bust or pinch at the middle.

4. Rectangle Shape (Shoulders, waist and hips aligned)

Ideal styles:

• Double-breasted coats – add dimension and interest

• Structured shoulders with waist seams – create shape

• Belted or tie coats – define the waist

Avoid:

• Straight, long coats without definition

• Ultra-minimalist shapes with no tailoring

Recommended brands:

• COS – Crisp structured coats with geometric design

• Arket – Minimalist Scandi coats with subtle tailoring

• Reiss – Hourglass-inspired construction for slim bodies

💼 See how each fits your exact shape with Tellar.

5. Inverted Triangle (Broad shoulders, narrow hips)

Ideal styles:

• Coats with flare or volume at the hem – balance lower body

• Drop shoulders or raglan sleeves – soften top half

• Mid-length coats that sit below the hip

Avoid:

• Epaulettes, sharp shoulder pads, or stiff lapels

• Boxy cropped coats that exaggerate the shoulders

Recommended brands:

• French Connection – Soft silhouettes and flared shapes

• River Island – Fashion-forward flared or peplum hems

• & Other Stories – Collarless, draping styles

📐 Use tellar.co.uk to find brands where the shoulders fit first—the hardest area to tailor.

🧥 Coat Construction: What to Look For

🧠 Tip: The shoulder seam and sleeve length are hardest to alter—get them right first.

🎯 How Tellar.co.uk Helps You Get It Right First Time

Coat shopping can be overwhelming. Even within a single brand, coats may run differently to dresses or blazers. Tellar’s tech solves this by using real brand-specific sizing data matched to your body measurements.

With Tellar, you can:

✅ Compare your exact size in 1,500+ brands

✅ Choose units in CM or Inches

✅ Automatically adjust for layering (Tellar’s algorithms account for coat allowance)

✅ Avoid returns and buy with confidence

🟩 Create your free profile now

🟨 Try the store size lookup tool

📣 Follow Tellar.co.uk for More Coat-Fitting Expertise

Join the Tellar community across platforms:

• Instagram: @Tellarsizing

• Pinterest: TellarSizing

• Facebook: TellarSizing

• Twitter (X): @TellarSizing

We break down sizing quirks, brand fit comparisons, and layering tips every week.

✅ Final Word: Buy a Coat That Works for You, Not Against You

A well-fitted coat should do more than just keep you warm. It should add presence, flatter your frame, and last for years. But with so much inconsistency in sizing across brands, guessing just doesn’t work anymore.

Whether you're curvy, tall, petite, or somewhere in between, tellar.co.uk helps you find your ideal coat with data, not guesswork.

🟩 “Find your size in 1,500+ brands real-time. It’s free & easy”

🟨 Create your profile and start shopping smarter today