WOMEN’S COATS AND OUTERWEAR
Overcoats, trench coats, blazers and jackets. Made to your measurements in cloths that suit the season and your style.
A coat is the piece of clothing people see first and remember longest. It sets the tone before you say anything, and it is the last thing people notice when you leave. Getting it right matters.
The problem with off-the-peg coats for women is the same as with everything else: they are cut for averages. The shoulders are too wide or too narrow. The sleeves are the wrong length. The waist hits in the wrong place. And because women’s bodies vary more than men’s, the gap between the average and you is usually bigger.
We make every coat to your measurements. You choose the style, the cloth, the length, and every detail. Your tailor will help you work out what suits your shape, your wardrobe, and the weather you deal with most. The result is a coat that fits like it belongs on you.
Consultations in our London showroom, at home, or by video. Fittings also held in Manchester, Zurich and New York.
OVERCOATS AND TOP COATS
The coat that goes over your suits and workwear. Wool, cashmere or a blend of both, in any length you want.
What We Make
An overcoat falls below the knee in a heavier cloth. A topcoat sits around mid-thigh in something lighter. Both are designed to go over tailored clothes without pulling at the shoulders or bunching around the arms. We make single-breasted, double-breasted, wrap-front and belted styles.
The right length depends on your height, what you wear underneath, and your preference. Some women want a coat that covers everything. Others prefer something shorter that shows more of the outfit. Your tailor will help you find the length that works.
Cloth
For winter, we use heavy wools, cashmere, and wool-cashmere blends. Pure cashmere is softer and lighter but less hard-wearing than wool. A blend gives you the best of each. For spring and autumn, lighter wools and gabardines travel well and keep their shape.
We source from Loro Piana, Holland and Sherry, Dormeuil and others. Your tailor will bring samples so you can see and feel the cloths before you choose.
Details
You choose the collar, the lapels, the buttons, the pockets, the lining (full, half or contrast), the back (belted, vented or plain), and the cuff finish. We can add a velvet collar, a throat latch, turn-back cuffs, or a waist tie. Every detail is yours.
TRENCH COATS AND RAINCOATS
A proper coat for wet weather that actually keeps you dry. Fitted to your body, not borrowed from a men’s block.
Why Bespoke
Most women’s trench coats are either too boxy or too tight through the bust. The belt hits the wrong point on the waist. The sleeves are too long. A made-to-measure trench solves all of that because it is cut to where your waist, bust and hips actually sit.
What We Make
A classic trench is double-breasted, belted, and falls below the knee. We also build shorter single-breasted macs, raglan-sleeve raincoats, and lighter spring coats. You choose the cloth, the length, and every detail from shoulder tabs to cuff straps.
Cloth
We work with waxed cottons, water-proof tech cloths, and rubberised fabrics for proper rain. For lighter spring and autumn use, a cotton gabardine or a treated wool keeps things smart without the heavy feel. Your tailor will match the cloth to your climate and how often you plan to wear it.
CASUAL JACKETS AND LIGHTER LAYERS
Blazers, field jackets, car coats and summer layers. Tailored to your frame for off-duty and weekend wear.
What We Make
Not every coat needs to be formal. We make unstructured blazers, car coats, field jackets, gilets, and lightweight summer layers in linen, cotton, and lighter wools. These are the pieces you wear at weekends, for travel, and over casual clothes when you want to look pulled together without looking dressed up.
Why Fit Still Matters
A blazer that fits your shoulders and nips at the waist looks intentional. One that hangs loose looks borrowed. Even casual pieces benefit from being cut to your body. The difference between off-the-peg and made-to-measure is just as big here as with a formal coat.
Cloth
For warmer months, linen, cotton, and linen-cotton blends keep the weight down. For autumn and transitional weather, lighter wools, moleskin, and cotton drills work well. We can line or half-line depending on how warm you want it. Unlined is also an option for a softer, more relaxed feel.
FIT AND PROCESS
How we build a coat around your body, your wardrobe, and your timeline.
How a Coat Is Fitted
A coat is fitted over the clothes you wear under it, not over bare skin. At your first visit, we will ask you to wear or bring the kind of outfit you plan to wear with the coat. This helps us get the shoulder width, chest room, and arm movement right. We take detailed measurements and assess your posture before building the pattern.
Fittings
Two to three fittings are standard for a coat. At each one, we check the length, the shoulder line, the drape, and the way the cloth sits when the coat is buttoned and unbuttoned. A coat needs to look right open and closed, so we check both.
Timeline
We suggest booking at least 10 weeks before you need the coat. That gives us time for cloth, cutting, fittings and any adjustments. If your timeline is shorter, talk to us. We can often work faster.
START WITH A CONVERSATION
Not sure which coat is right for you? Book a consultation and we will talk through your wardrobe, your daily routine, and the weather you deal with most. We will help you land on the right style, cloth and length. No pressure. Just practical advice.
We see clients in London (Mayfair), Manchester, Zurich and New York. Home visits and video calls also available.
Nathalie May – Tailor at Fielding & Nicholson
