Best winter coats for petites - these are the most flattering options for women under 5'3"

Shopping for a new coat can be a challenge, whatever your shape or size, but if you are 5'3" or under, it can be particularly tricky to find the best winter coats for petites that won't swamp your shorter frame. Considering the average height for a woman in the UK is 5'4", the majority of coats on the high street seem to have been designed for the long-limbed supermodels who grace the catwalks!

A coat is likely to be one of the most expensive additions to your winter capsule wardrobe, and it's worth investing in one that you'll wear for many years to come. Although it may take a little more consideration, finding the best winter coats for you doesn’t need to be too troublesome with expert tips from our 5ft tall Group Fashion Director, Paula Moore. She's had plenty of experience shopping for the most flattering clothes for shorter women and explains, “Being petite isn't just about how tall you are. I often find regular-sized clothes are too long on the arms and body length too; it's all about proportion."

Fashion Stylist and Content Creator Patricia Jones agrees. "I am 5'3" and I tend to avoid oversized fits as they can swamp a petite frame and give the appearance of looking even shorter." If you fit into this height category, and find that the majority of coats you try on are too long, have comically long sleeves and leave you overwhelmed in fabric, read on. With the help of our petite fashion experts, we have found the brands that cater for your size and share some tips and tricks to help you flatter a petite frame.

Best winter coats for petites - the 5 rules to follow

1. Shop specialist petite brands

The quickest way to find a perfectly proportioned coat is to shop from a dedicated petite range. Some of the best British clothing brands have petite collections with expert designers making the precise adjustments needed to solve the fit dilemmas that face shorter-than-average shoppers. You'll find that, along with a cropped length, these coats have shorter sleeves, smaller arm holes and neater fitting shoulders. Finer details like pocket placement and the spacing between buttons will have been considered, too. "My arms and legs are shorter than average," says Paula. "I have a tailor on speed dial to ensure my clothes fit me perfectly, but that's an additional cost. Petite ranges are the first and best place to shop, as you get the perfect fit on items like the best trench coats without the need for any alterations or inconvenient returns."

2. Go for a fitted silhouette

Avoid oversized coats with batwing sleeves or dropped shoulders. "I always go for a structured style so it doesn't overwhelm my frame," says Paula. "Anything too boxy, shapeless, or heavyweight is a no-no. Less is more when it comes to petite dressing, as anything too fussy can be overwhelming." Classic fitted shapes like peacoats and military-inspired designs will give a more streamlined silhouette, which in turn makes you look taller. Double-breasted buttons create an hourglass illusion. As Paula notes, you will also want to pay attention to the fabric of your petite winter coat. Although heavily textured fabrics can feel luxurious, they often add bulk that can swamp petites.

3. Create shape with a belted style

Many petite ladies prefer to opt for hip-length styles, but there's nothing more dramatic than a maxi or midi coat and being short doesn't mean you have to miss out on this elegant trend. "The design that I think works best on petite frames is belted styles, especially if you want a long-line coat", says Patricia. "I'm a size 8 and I find that they cinch me in at the waist, therefore creating a curvier silhouette."

4. Don't be afraid to make a statement

Why shy away from eye-catching, stand-out styles? Just because you're shorter than average, it shouldn't stop you from expressing a big personality! "If you fall in love with a style that isn't specifically petite, having a great tailor on hand means that you can purchase pieces you love and have them altered to fit your frame flawlessly", advises Paula.

5. Use clever style tricks for the illusion of height

While we all agree that there's nothing wrong with being shorter than average (the best things really do come in small packages), it can be useful to know a few styling tips and tricks that you can use to give the illusion of height. Wearing designs that use vertical lines as a point of interest will draw the eye upwards, creating the illusion of a more elongated figure.

How to choose your coat

There are so many coat options available on the high street that it can feel a little overwhelming when it comes to choosing. Our experts Patricia and Paula have tested a variety of shapes and styles, and we asked them for the key things to consider before hitting the shops:

• Your Personal Style: When it comes to investing in your winter coat, the key thing to consider is finding a piece that you genuinely like, and that will work with your own personal style rather than worrying too much about trends. Look for colours that suit you, as well as details and cuts that you know will work with your current wardrobe, so you'll get plenty of wear out of it.
• Be Size Wise: When buying for petite frames, it's always best to shop from the Petite collections in stores, or look for cropped and shorter lengths from the regular ranges. Petite coats will be designed to fit shorter women, so you'll find that the sleeves and shoulders fit well.
• Think About Fabrics: If you want your coat to see you through the deepest and coldest months of Winter, opt for natural wool-rich fabrics that will keep you warm. Lightweight raincoats and trench coats can still work, but you'll need to think about layering them up over warmer jumpers to keep them practical.
• Invest in Classics: Bold prints and modern shapes are great for making a statement, but they can date quite quickly and will be harder to match with everything in your wardrobe. Opting for classic cuts and neutral tones like camel, grey, navy, or black will mean you can wear your coat with endless outfits and can keep rewearing it for years to come.

FAQs

What is the perfect coat length for petites?

"There are so many different coat lengths that can work perfectly on petite frames," explains Jazz Harris, petite journalist and stylist. "For a relaxed style, a cropped quilted coat will make the ideal everyday coat, and the short length will ensure it doesn’t swamp your shape. If you’re opting for a tailored style, both knee-length and maxi lengths can work great on petite frames depending on the occasion," she says.

However, "don’t be afraid to try different styles and see what works for you rather than sticking to hard and fast rules." Although shorter lengths tend to be most flattering on petites, there are plenty of styling hacks, like cinching the waist or dressing up your look with heels, that can help any coat look good on petites.

Can petites wear long coats?

"Yes, definitely," says Jazz. "Long coats not only look great on petite frames, but they also create an optical illusion that can make you look taller, too." However, "if you’re petite, opt for a long coat that finishes at the calf or ankle in a tailored cut to streamline and elongate your figure." Floor-skimming styles should generally be avoided if you want to ensure you don't end up looking shorter.

Our experts:

Paula Moore

Currently Group Fashion Director at Future Publishing, Paula Moore has been in the fashion industry for over 30 years. Overseeing the fashion pages for Woman and Home, Simply Woman and Home, Woman, Woman’s Own, Woman’s Weekly and Chat magazines.

Patricia Jones

At 5'3" Patricia is a petite styling expert and uses her social media platforms to educate and inspire women to look their best, whatever their height. "The favourite part of my job is helping clients to refresh and organise their wardrobes. I began my career as a petite commercial model and was lucky enough to travel around the world, working for some amazing brands and great photographers. I am also a size 4 foot model and have worked with Christian Louboutin, Kat Maconie & Asos."

Jazzria Harris

Jazzria is a journalist and stylist specialising in fashion and beauty. After starting her career at ELLE UK in 2014, she went on to work as part of the style team at heat Magazine for 6 years before going freelance in 2022. Jazzria is an advocate for diversity within the fashion industry and previously wrote the column Jazz’s Short Stories, developing a voice for petite style.