How To Dress Up Your Winter Wardrobe With Tweed And Leather

Fall is here, and the warmer, heavier fabrics are now back in fashion.  Military styles have been trendy for fall and winter for decades.  You simply cannot go wrong with the military style, which shows its face season to season in one designer line or another.

What Military Elements Have Influenced Fashions?

1. Officer Jackets – These stately jackets have been a sign of power and leadership throughout the decades.  Formal military jackets and overcoats have hit the hangers as a personal statement of wealth and power.  A simple black or navy jacket can push for a formal appearance, especially when the brass buttons and cording is overstated.

2. Leather Bomber –  The leather bomber is another great look for women going into the fall.  This jacket takes on a life of its own, as putting on the leather bomber jacket gives one the feeling that they just stepped off of a B-17. Comfortable, warm, and stylish these jackets are made popular by movies and actors alike.

3. Navy Twill Jackets – Navy wool twill jackets have always been a popular choice for their style and warmth. Many variations of the Navy wool twill jacket have been created throughout the years in a wide range of colors.

4. Double-breasted Coat- The double-breasted look has been a style that has been around for hundreds of years. Civilized military of all kinds from all corners of the world have incorporated this look into their formal attire.

5. The Sleeveless Vest – Military sleeveless jackets can be accessorized with a variety of slacks and pants. For years, these vests have been worn for warmth, and ease of wear.  Many designs have pockets lined to fit a variety of items such as smartphones and wallets.

Although you may not realize it, everything from the colors you’ve chosen, to the fabric and choice of material can be a reflection of your personality. References towards the military are seen in fashion year after year. Designers often feature brass or metal button on clothing, breasts pockets and belts.

Ralph Lauren Sandra Twill Jacket

Feminine Cuts of Ralph Lauren- Their Sandra Twill Jacket

How To Spice Up Your Jacket And Coats For The Winter And Fall

The military look is one of the easiest trends to shop for.  Season after season, this trend stays in style, which means you can transfer a few pieces over to the next year, and build up your winter seasonal wardrobe. Here are a couple of tips of what to look for:

  •  Shop Within The Right Color Palette- Shop for coats which have a camel, khaki or perhaps military green color tone.   Embrace the fall colors that naturally work with the traditional military palette such as army green, black, navy blue and mustard which are often paired together.   Work with creams, and include something with leather.  Pair a military coat with trousers or slacks that have a print, or a heavier fabric.
  • Work Gold Into Your Outfit- Another great way to make your military jacket a little more stylish is to add gold accents. A wide belt with a gold buckle can go a long way to upgrading your jackets appearance.  Replace plain buttons with fancy brass buttons to give your jacket a lift in style.
  • Trim Your Vintage Jackets With Piping– A vintage jacket that has good bones can be altered slightly to give a more sophisticated appearance.  Work with piping that will stand out such as white piping on black, or a subtle darker gray with a light gray jacket.
  • Patches Look Great On Bomber Style Jackets- Another unique accessory for your bomber jacket is patches. Different groups have different patches, and they all look awesome. There are many different patches that you can add to the sleeves of your jacket for an extra punch of cool.
  • Work With Tweed- Tweed is a fabric that really stand the test of time. Suits, trousers, suits, dresses, coats and capes … The tweed can transform any outfit and give a more classy tone in any style.

These are just a few additions you can make to your military jacket to give it a little extra pizazz. Have fun decorating your jacket and making it as unique as you are!

 

Double Felt Wool Military Coat DiorWhat Not To Wear With A Military Jacket
(Double Felt Wool Military Coat Dior)

The military jacket is a classic piece that every woman should have in her closet for the winter and fall seasons. This is a look that has been around for decades and seems to always stay in season and in trend.

Whether you have one colored military jacket or a simple black jacket, here are 4 things you should not wear with your jacket:

Long Necklaces: The military jacket gives an appearance of structure, so wearing a long necklace can distract from it. You don’t want to take away from the military design by wearing something that throws off the symmetries.

Scarves Just Don’t Work:  A scarf will also take away from the look and covers up the largest military aspect of the jacket. If scarves are to be worn, wrap them around your neck, and tuck them into the jacket.  Consider finding a non-patterned scarf which can be knotted and hidden under the jacket for the best look.

Matching Pants Is Hard To Pull Off-  A lot of designers showcase their military jackets with matching pants to create a visual work of art, and often times it looks incredible.  If you do pull off this look, consider having both pieces tailored to your figure.  Work with slacks which are heavier, and are close in color, which will give you the same cohesive appearance you are looking for.

Additional Military Accessories Can Be Overkill: Skip the military accessories like pins, military hats.   If you incorporate too many military pieces, the look will start to take on the appearance of a costume.  An exception to this rule, is wearing military boots with your military jacket.  Wearing taller boots with a military styled jacket could perfectly finish your overall look off.

The key to wearing a military jacket is to keep it simple and wear the look as is. Don’t distract the jackets natural and cool style with unnecessary accessories.

L'Wren Scott, Fall Winter 2012L’Wren Scott, Fall Winter 2012

Harper's Bazaar U.K. September 2012 Editorial - Sophie Srej

Harper’s Bazaar U.K. September 2012 Editorial – Sophie Srej

Elegance Netherlands September 2012

Elegance Netherlands September 2012

Harper's Bazaar U.K. September 2012 Editorial - Sophie Srej

Harper’s Bazaar U.K. September 2012 Editorial – Sophie Srej

East Wind for Io Donna March 2013

East Wind for Io Donna  March 2013

Madame Figaro Greece December 2011 Cover – Coco Rocha

Editorial The Passenger in Be Magazine of France 31st August 2012
Go With Texture For The Fall
Editorial “The Passenger” in Be Magazine of France 31st August 2012

Burberry Prorsum, Ralph Lauren

Burberry Prorsum, Ralph Lauren

Fall and Winter Coat Jacket Fashions

Olivia Palermo, Leather Jackets- obaz.com

Vogue contributing photographer, Claiborne Swanson Frank
Vogue contributing photographer, Claiborne Swanson Frank

Cranberry Leather Jacket-lockerz, Burberry Prorsum Linen Jacket

Cranberry Leather Jacket-lockerz.com,  Burberry Prorsum Linen Jacket

Cara Delevingne for Mulberry

Cara Delevingne for Mulberry

Burberry Lace Coat, Burberry -Full Skirted Tweed Coat

Burberry Lace Coat, Burberry -Full Skirted Tweed Coat
Beige Fall Jackets

Camel Military Winter Coat- sheinside.com,

Gorgeous Draped Belted Cardigan-lyst.com,

Sequin Blazer by ELIE SAAB-boutique1.com

GUCCI Rose Quilted Leather Jacket-lyst.com

Lily Donaldson Numéro Tokyo April 2012

Lily Donaldson Numéro Tokyo April 2012

Marie Claire France October 2012-Editorial Dana Drori

Marie Claire France’s October 2012 magazine edition had a very interesting editorial featuring model Dana Drori. A number of different fashions were presented featuring the military look. Among the best were a blue military jacket with brass buttons paired with blue  calf leg boots paired with a matching handbag, and belt.  Salvatore Ferragamo mixed structural military motifs with romantic feminine fabrics like lace. The military glam was not difficult for the experienced tailor, who defined his craft in military jackets of leather and brass buttons paired with a romantic, easy velvet pencil skirt. Army-inspired looks came out in army green flannel and long officer jackets almost shaped like a trench. 

Michael Kors, Burberry Brit Oversize Cropped Pea Coat

Michael Kors, Burberry Brit Oversize Cropped Pea Coat
Burberry Coats
Burberry Coats
Envies De Nude for Grazia March 2013
Envies De Nude for Grazia March 2013
Dolce & Gabbana
Dolce & Gabbana