Looking for that dreamy jacket to go along with the rest of your outfit? Then you are in the right place because we’ll share with you everything we know about the different types of jackets there are for petite women and where to buy them.
Shopping for a new jacket may seem like the type of task every woman wants to do because who doesn’t want to spend an afternoon shopping for new clothes! However, when you have a small frame, it could be a bit more complicated. Being petite can get a little difficult to shop for basically anything, so we’re here to offer some advice.
And just because you are a petite woman and struggle with giving your proportions the right attention doesn’t mean you don’t deserve the kind of jacket or accessory that can make you feel like the goddess you are. Though smaller sizes may seem forgotten at times, every woman deserves a good jacket or a few of them because you know different colors and materials.
Jacket Origin
Were you aware that jackets originated from men’s wear? Jackets and coats date back to the Middle Ages or early Renaissance when working-class men wore a more fitted version of the short tunic called jerkin.
The first versions were made from coarse wool fabric worn by the Dutch at sea; this means jackets have a background deeply linked in the military and naval men.
The British navy is responsible for making the jacket popular. It was a version of the coat designed for naval duties as a uniform for petty officers. The US navy didn’t take long in adopting the coat worn by sailors responsible for climbing up the rigging of sailing ships.
The common grounds for different regions adopting different coats and jackets came from the need for a reliable piece of garment that could withstand the natural elements of rain, wind, and cold.
With time, a jacket variation was adopted amongst women who started joining the US workforce in the 1920s. And it gave way to coats and capes for women.
Different Types of Jackets
When buying that perfect jacket, shorties need to be aware that your jacket won’t drag on the floor and fits your arms in the right way.
Puffer Jacket
This type of coat is perhaps the safest option for when chilly weather hits; this means no matter how tall or short you are, you’ll be needing one.
Petite ladies, however, should peep their eyes for one with a narrowed waist and not too much down fill to avoid looking like a balloon. What you’ll need is a slim puffer, meaning you’ll need to search for a slim cut that hits above the knee.
We love this Orolay Women’s Thickened Winter Down Coat Packable Hooded Puffer Jacket. The length of this eiderdown garment right covers the fat at your waist, hip and thigh and makes you look tall and slim. Find it on Amazon.
A belt duster
If you consider yourself a woman with style, then your wardrobe can’t make it without a belted duster. This type of jacket is definitely for the modern woman.
Petite chicks do not fret; all you need to do is search for a cinched waist jacket that will keep your shape from looking like it’s all coat and nobody under the jacket.
Remember, a thicker jacket with a belt on the waist does wonders for the smaller frames. We like this Hi Fashionz Girls Ladies Women Long Waterfall Italian Duster Belted Coat Jacket Drape from Amazon. It is simple yet stylish and elegant; it is long-sleeved, has a detachable belt and two front pockets.
Cocoon shape jacket
Cocoon jackets are loose-fitting by definition with voluminous sleeves, and just because you are petite doesn’t mean you can’t rock this less-fitted style.
All petite gals need to search for fabric that isn’t too bulky and keep the details to a minimum; this means no sequins or bold patterns.
We like this Stadium Cloth Cocoon jacket from J. Crew. The cocoon silhouette in stadium-cloth wool is made especially by Italy’s Nello Gori mill. The fabric used in old-school stadium blankets adds warmth without the bulk.
A soft A-line
Just as you know the power of an A-line skirt or dress, the same applies for jackets with a-line, which benefit the petite chicks.
A slight or subtle swing shape offers the illusion of length, and if you can find one with a touch of embellishment on top, you’ll be drawing all eyes upward.
We like this Gallery women’s Dressy a Line from Amazon. It is a back vent with sleeve tab details with a water-resistant finish; you’ll be stylish while staying nice and dry in this women’s lightweight raincoat.
A cropped trench
A cropped and belted jacket is perhaps the holy grail for shorties when it comes to jackets with sophisticated style.
Imagine a slender skinny fit long sleeve solid color short trench coat, to make you feel like stylish and chic.
We like this Lentta Women’s Cotton Fashion British Slim Fit Double-Breasted Short Belted Trench Coat from Amazon. It is lightweight and comes with adjustable waist belt tops.
A cropper fur
A bit of faux fur offers warmth and every gal short or tall must have one for a night out on the town.
For petite ladies all you need to do is browse for one on the fitted side to avoid looking like a teddy bear.
We like this QILINXUAN Women’s Lapel Fleece Shearling Jacket Cropped Fauz Fur Jacket from Amazon. Its loose and short style could make your legs appear longer when wearing this fashion jacket. Goes perfect with a body-con dress, mini skirts, knee-high boots for a charming look.
Related Story: Different Types of Winter Jackets
Shopping tips for different types of jackets
You want a jacket with waist-defining silhouettes: If you are a petite woman, you should embrace anything with belts at the waist because this gives you a longer silhouette and helps define your figure. Choose styles that fit close to the body; this way, you will look your tallest.
Jackets that hit mid-thigh are your best friends. Ditch the long coat, which can easily make you swallow up your petite frame, and choose jackets that hit, at most, your mid-thigh -they will not overwhelm your petiteness.