Thrifting Queen

Can you help me with this plaid coat?

October 5, 2013

So bought this vintage coat a few months back from a vintage store because I fell in love with it's oversized, menswear-inspired, no collar, no button type of style. I think it fits right in with the current oversized coat trend. At the time I first showed it, the reviews were mixed and I'm ok with that. Angie liked it over the black sheath dress, as do I but thought the sleeves were a bit overwhelming.

This is where I need your keen eyes (and yes...I actually mean it - lol!). Pics 1, 2 and 3 show the sleeves as they are currently. And pics 4 and 5 are with them rolled under by approximately 3-4 inches.

So my questions are:

1. Do the sleeves need to be shortened from the original length?
2. If so, does the length in pics 4 and 5 work or do they need to be shorter still?
3. Do the sleeves need to be taken in to reduce the volume? Although that could change the integrity of the coat and the style.
4. Should I just chalk this item up to a bit of a "love mistake", pass it on and forget about it?

Thanks for any and all suggestions :)

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4
5
Posted in the Dressing category
This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

24 Comments

  • Jjsloane replied 10 years ago

    I think a slimmer sleeve would work better at the full length. It kind of has the shape of this one and I like the overall look with the more fitted sleeve. 

    http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/vi.....s-_-1_10_B

  • Sveta replied 10 years ago

    I like it in 4&5 very much. Is this a warm coat or a light one? If it a warm coat you would need a long gloves to keep warm with shorter sleeves...

    I would not taper the sleeves - this style cries for a wide sleeve but shorter.

  • Janet replied 10 years ago

    I missed this first time around, but I kinda love it -- the retro integrity is really nice, and the length suits you. My instinct says to narrow the sleeve slightly along with the shortening alteration. Not too much, just a bit to rein in a little of that volume and add a touch more structure. 

    I'd also be curious to see the sleeve slimmed but not shortened. Perhaps you could pin it from the inside and see how it looks first. 

  • Runcarla replied 10 years ago

    I like the shape of this coat and the plaid...it is one of the trends being featured (plaid, oversized). I like the longer length of the sleeves, but feel the volume is overwhelming. What about making them pegged? Tapered from the shoulder instead of narrower and straight?

    See the Rochas coat in first pic, and the coat on the right pic 2.

    1 2
  • replied 10 years ago

    Ok, I would say that if you want to keep them full length then I would have them taken in, but if you want the sleeves shorter, then I would keep the width. It's a great coat and looks good over the sheath.

  • Vildy replied 10 years ago

    That's a whole lotta box plaid and it looks like it has little or no drape? i.e. it's not appearing to collapse in on itself much and distort the plaid. I think, then, that it benefits from the shorter sleeve to show off your personal unboxiness. :D

  • Glory replied 10 years ago

    What a fun and fabulous find. It looks like a transitional coat in terms of warmth. My thinking is that its no way warm enough for winter. I would not taper the sleeve at all - I think it is part of the retro vibe. I would consider shortening them but then I worry about cold weather and if your wear will be limited by that.
    I can see you really rocking this coat - it must go with tons in your wardrobe.

  • replied 10 years ago

    To throw a spanner in the works and another idea into the mix :) You could also try a shorter sleeve like this: http://voguepatterns.mccall.co...../V8863.jpg and layer a slim sweater under.

  • catgirl replied 10 years ago

    I like the shorter sleeves but think it may be impractical in our climate! 

  • Karie replied 10 years ago

    I love the 80's vibe of this coat exactly as is! If anything you could shorten the sleeves but I would leave it alone. Fab coat!

  • sarah replied 10 years ago

    Exactly what Diane G said.

  • Vicki replied 10 years ago

    Great coat and I agree with Sveta that a pair of longer gloves with the shorter, non-tapered sleeves would look amazing.

  • lyn67 replied 10 years ago

    This is a dramatic look for sure, curious to see how will you style it for weekdays!

  • Sona replied 10 years ago

    Honest answer: it overwhelms you. the horizontal plaid stripes with jacket open are not congruent. I say pass.

  • catgirl replied 10 years ago

    Yes! Long leather gloves! And let me know where you find them at a reasonable price because I need some too!

  • Janet replied 10 years ago

    Oooh, long gloves are an excellent idea. Adds to the retro appeal. I have a bunch of my grandmother's and mother's long leather gloves (my grandmother was a glove buyer for a department store in Baltimore in the 40s) and they are so fab. If I see a source for some good, affordable ones, I'll post it.

  • jayne replied 10 years ago

    SO glad so many are saying KEEP because it seems like  a great coat for you and the trend.  What did you decide on the sleeves?  Love the idea of 3/4 and gloves....

  • Transcona Shannon replied 10 years ago

    Wow - what a bunch of great replies! Thank you all.

    It is definitely not a warm coat. It can be worn outside now and then would need to transition into an indoor topper during the cold months, if it could work that way.

    Based on your suggestions I'm wondering if it should be relegated to a jacket for an occasion like the symphony worn with long gloves and then taken off to reveal the dress?

    The fabric is indeed fairly stiff and had no drape.

    I'm also wondering if Sona is correct and it's overwhelming?

    Need to ponder some more...why do I occasionally buy items that take so much work to work???

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 10 years ago

    Can you wear it with the sleeves rolled up? (I'm thinking of the style of boyfriend blazers from the 80s or 90s.) That would be a fun look over jeans with a black turtleneck.
    For a more chic treatment, I like the idea of shortening the sleeves, probably shorter than what you've shown (or a few inches above wrist) and wearing sleek gloves. The gloves could cover the gap or not--either way would work, in my view.
     

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    Fab coat! I really like it. I agree with what Diane said, and she is a sewist! 

    I don't think it will be overwhelming at all once you do whatever you do to the sleeves. And I love your idea of using it as an "evening" type coat with gloves. Brilliant. 

  • Wendi1984 replied 10 years ago

    I agree that shorter sleeves help. If you decide to take them in, I'd taper them as opposed to making them more fitted all the way up your arm. I think having them fitted all along your arm would possibly look weird with the boxy shape of the rest of the coat. I think a shorter sleeve would fit with the retro look of it.

  • Deborah replied 10 years ago

    I am not sure what i think... helpful aren't I :)

    I like the coat! Surprisingly to my eye it doesn't overwhelm you. A pattern like this would drown me (I know cos I tried something on yesterday). Simply styling would be key to it's success I think. I think the coat is actually meant to be 'bracelet' sleeve length, remember you are petite Shannon so the sleeves are possibly longer on you than how it was designed. I think the question is do you love it? Do you feel good in it? If you decide yes, then shorten the sleeves, if you decide no, pop it on Ebay... vintage items generally sell quite well in my expererience.

  • deb replied 10 years ago

    I like the idea of a 3/4 sleeve. Could you pin the sleeves so they are midway between your wrist and your elbow?

  • ManidipaM replied 10 years ago

    I still love it. Even more with sleeves taken up. It might even be fun toelbow short in a mod way. Will sleeve volume prevent oIterwear from going on easily? Is that an issue?

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I started playing dress up when I was 4 years old and haven't stopped since! My income doesn't match my tastes so it's all about figuring out how to thrift my way to a fashionable life while tossing in a few delectable items.