Buying a winter coat.

[Melissa A.]

I have no problem buying Women's clothing, makeup and accesories, and generally don't care what people think. I know my size, and what looks good on me, so there's really no need to try anything on.

The thing is, I want to buy a women's long coat, which will look better with dresses and skirts. Trying them on in a store is just a little too far, even for me.

I wear a size 12 or a lg. in clothing. I am 5'9" 170 lbs. and pretty trim. I wear a size 42 mens jacket.

Anybody have any idea about what size I would wear in a long coat?

Hugs,

Melissa :)

[Maria2004]

You said you are a size 12 or Large which is usally 12/14. I'm a size 8 misses, or 8/10 Med. If I were your size I would get a 12/14 L or a size 14. Take it home try it on, it should fit. That's how it's working out for me so far.

[Melissa A.]

Thanks, Maria. That was easy. I thought maybe coat sizes were different like they are for guys jackets. Thanks again.

[Chrissycd]

I'm a 14, but I just bought two coats online, and I chose to go with an extra large instead of just a large b/c I was afraid of being too tight in the shoulders especially when wearing sweaters in the winter. Well, they came about three weeks ago, and I'm very happy I went up a size. A large would have been very uncomfortable, and the sleeves would have been too short. Since you're a 12, maybe a large will still be okay, but if you are bulky up top, think it over.
Chrissy

[Melissa A.]

Thanks for the advice, Chrissy. I may go a size larger just to be sure. A little too big is better than too small. Thanks again.

Hugs,

Melissa :)

[Maria2004]

You may already know this, but if you ever use e-bay or the like in search of nice dresses or coats, there is about a 4 size difference between dresses off the rack today and 20 years ago on back, gowns and wedding dresses and pattern dresses haven't changed that much. A size 12 today, was about a 16 a couple of decades ago. I may be a size 8 at JC Penny, but I also sew my own dresses and I'm a size 14 in patterns, exact same physical dimensions. You would probly also be a 16 in a fancy gown or wedding dress. Back find your back length also.

At 5'-11", 130 lbs, my measured back length is 17", misses styles typically don't go over 16 1/2" which works on me, but on my own dresses, I can lengthin the back which takes advantage of my 27 1/2" waist under a 38B breast which makes me look more hippy, so the dresses look more natural.

Here is a link to show which measurements are used in sizing womens clothes. This is off the Vogue patterns site, so the size numbers will be about 2 digits higher then store bought sizes. Click the "Tech Center" link.

http://www.voguepatterns.com/indexfv.html


This is the kinda posting I enjoy :p