Happy Friday everyone, I hope you have a fabulous weekend! To start the weekend off, I have a special post here on the blog featuring something I have never covered yet – outerwear.
For those of you who know you me, you have come to learn that is not very often that I wear a coat and I am usually wearing something much lighter than what the season calls for. I don’t know why but my internal temperature is beyond hot lol. However, I do live in Canada and I grew up in Northern Ontario so there is that chunk of days during the year where even I feel the need to bundle up. And I like my outerwear to be as stylish as my clothes. I mean I have to be able to accessorize with my fabulous collection of bags!
I have always found outerwear to be one of the hardest things to buy as a plus size woman, particularly one in the upper end of the size range. The options are pretty limited and the fun colours and prints never come in your size. I can’t tell you how many black jackets and coats I have owned in my life time. And for someone who likes to wear colour and pattern it really has been disappointing.
So you can imagine how excited I was to see that eShakti added coats and jackets to their line up of winter attire. And true to eShakti’s esthetic, they came in an array of colours, fabrics and patterns. I was honestly in heaven with so many choices! And not only do they carry a 28 but they carry all the way up to a 36. And if you aren’t familiar with this fabulous brand, they customize to your exact measurements for only an additional $7.50!
When I was looking at the different options available I was drawn to the colour palette and style of this Long Wool Blend Fit and Flare Coat. It has a bold plaid but with the contrast of soft shades of cream, violet and aqua. The combination makes for a strong elegant feminine piece. I knew I would turn heads in this beauty. And the details are just divine – covered buttons, a nice spread collar, three button cuffs on the sleeves, princess seaming in the bodice, a box pleat skirt, defined waist, and a heavier weight wool/acrylic blend. It is also lined.
So based on that description, how much do you think a coat like this would sell for? I know I have spent hundreds of dollars on coats that do not have these details or quality or fabric, never mind cut to my exact measurements. But wait for it ladies, this beauty’s regular retail price is only $134.95 US plus $7.50 US for customization. For that price, you can’t go wrong, especially on a piece that will last for years to come.
Perhaps you are wondering how the fit was. While I think you can see from the photos that the coat fits me perfectly! I will give you a tip that I have found useful when customizing my pieces – for something like a coat which you are going to wear over other clothes, I give myself an extra inch in key areas. For example, I increased my waist measurement and upper arm measurement by one inch from what I would give for say a dress. That just allows you a little wiggle room for those bulky layers.
So how did I choose to customize this piece? I switched the collar to a round one to soften the line, I then made the sleeves bracelet length as I like to have room for my gloves and then kept it knee length to allow for versatility. You also had the option to make it above the knee, below the knee or mid-calf. And for my tall and petite gals? When you customize a piece, they always ask you for your height. So if you are 6′ or 5′ and you want it to be knee length, it will be knee length for you.
I decided to coordinate this coat with pieces that I already had in my closet in the same colour palette. The skirt is a beautiful cream pleated chiffon by SWAK Designs. The rich purple cami, oatmeal shrug and flower belt are all from Torrid. I loved adding that punch of powerful colour to the muted palette and the belt was the perfect camouflage for the black thick elastic waistband on the skirt.
Now it wouldn’t be an outfit styled by me if it doesn’t have some fab accessories. And I have to say I think I outdid myself here. This statement necklace is from Gilded Official. I found this UK based page on my Instagram feed and fell in love with the pieces. They ship worldwide and I highly recommend checking them out! I then added a simple hinged silver bracelet by Lane Bryant and some silver sparkly flats also by Lane Bryant.
The final two pieces are my fabulous new purple metallic iridescent tote by Coach with it’s white fur pom pom by Michael Kors and my Swarovski brooch. This brooch was a gift from my bestie and I absolutely love adding a piece like this to a coat. And don’t hate me ladies but this bag and pom pom are sold out!!! I just got this bag for Christmas but it was gone in a flash.
One of the other great things about eShakti is that they are always having a sale! So there is a pretty good chance that you won’t have to pay full price. Sign up to receive their newsletter and you will always be in the know. And right now they have a winter clearance sale going on. This coat is on sale for $74.95 US. I am honestly thinking about buying another one in a different print I love it so much. Since eShakti is having such a great winter clearance sale right now, I have added some links to some of my other favourite coats:
Textured Jacquard Fit and Flare Coat – Cream | Houndstooth Wool Blend Long Coat | Plaid Single Breasted Long Coat | Scalloped Layered Trench Coat |
So I am warm and stylish all at the same time, what more could a girl want?
Photography by Robert Skuja . If you are looking for a fabulous photographer, check him out here.
Coat by eShakti | Cami by TORRID (light blue, purple sold out) | Shrug by TORRID (alternative) | Belt by TORRID | Skirt by SWAK DESIGNS (alternative from TORRID) | Bracelet by LANE BRYANT | Flats by LANE BRYANT |
