The Trapeze Jacket Revisited
Let's talk once and for all about the trapeze jacket. I know that some of you are skeptical, and understandably: the trapeze is NOT for every one.
But don't write it off yet!
A trapeze jacket--one with a triangular shape--CAN work on many body types.
Curvy or chesty girls can layer the trapeze jacket over a curve-hugging dress, or pair it with straight-legged pants or a slim skirt. Choose an outfit with a waistline, to balance the volume of the jacket.
Metallic Swing Jacket, Avenue, $59.95
The V neckline and Peter Pan collar on this jacket make it ideal for a larger chest. Be sure that you can button the jacket without it pulling across the shoulders, even if you don't think you will wear it this way.
Ruffle Sleeve Swing Jacket, Avenue, $59.95
If you are thick through the middle, look for a swing jacket with some detailing on the sleeves--the ruffles here are fantastic. Layer this jacket over a turtleneck or ruffle collar blouse, or add a chic scarf at the neckline for a retro 1940s look. Pair with flat front, straight leg pants, or a skirt that falls straight from the widest part of your hips.
Please note that neither of these jackets is particularly gigantic; rather, they are not tapered or skinny. The first jacket will show off your waistline nicely while the second slims your midsection. Keep the other pieces in your outfit sleek and slim (not skinny, but not wide--no wide leg trousers or A line skirts) for balance.
What if you are not curvy, or are smaller on top than on the bottom? Then opt for a jacket with a little more volume.
Cropped Trapeze Jacket, Old Navy, $29.50
The round yoke and big buttons and fuller cut of this jacket will give smaller chested girls more weight; the cropped length won't draw attention to a wider backside, while the three-quarter-length sleeves draw the eye up and create the illusion of a waist where you may not really have one.
Don't be afraid of the trapeze jacket; if you choose the right jacket, one that fits properly in the chest and shoulders, and pair it with a slim bottom, the look is curvy and feminine. Trapeze jackets are more tailored than capes or ponchos (think 1950s suits rather than 1970s sit-ins) but still very feminine.
And of course, if you don't think the look works for you, don't wear it. Not every look is for every woman, and having a successful personal style means choosing pieces that look and feel great in. Instead of a swingy jacket, try a more traditionally styled jacked with shorter sleeves, or with a skinny belt.
But don't write it off yet!
A trapeze jacket--one with a triangular shape--CAN work on many body types.
Curvy or chesty girls can layer the trapeze jacket over a curve-hugging dress, or pair it with straight-legged pants or a slim skirt. Choose an outfit with a waistline, to balance the volume of the jacket.
Metallic Swing Jacket, Avenue, $59.95
The V neckline and Peter Pan collar on this jacket make it ideal for a larger chest. Be sure that you can button the jacket without it pulling across the shoulders, even if you don't think you will wear it this way.
Ruffle Sleeve Swing Jacket, Avenue, $59.95
If you are thick through the middle, look for a swing jacket with some detailing on the sleeves--the ruffles here are fantastic. Layer this jacket over a turtleneck or ruffle collar blouse, or add a chic scarf at the neckline for a retro 1940s look. Pair with flat front, straight leg pants, or a skirt that falls straight from the widest part of your hips.
Please note that neither of these jackets is particularly gigantic; rather, they are not tapered or skinny. The first jacket will show off your waistline nicely while the second slims your midsection. Keep the other pieces in your outfit sleek and slim (not skinny, but not wide--no wide leg trousers or A line skirts) for balance.
What if you are not curvy, or are smaller on top than on the bottom? Then opt for a jacket with a little more volume.
Cropped Trapeze Jacket, Old Navy, $29.50
The round yoke and big buttons and fuller cut of this jacket will give smaller chested girls more weight; the cropped length won't draw attention to a wider backside, while the three-quarter-length sleeves draw the eye up and create the illusion of a waist where you may not really have one.
Don't be afraid of the trapeze jacket; if you choose the right jacket, one that fits properly in the chest and shoulders, and pair it with a slim bottom, the look is curvy and feminine. Trapeze jackets are more tailored than capes or ponchos (think 1950s suits rather than 1970s sit-ins) but still very feminine.
And of course, if you don't think the look works for you, don't wear it. Not every look is for every woman, and having a successful personal style means choosing pieces that look and feel great in. Instead of a swingy jacket, try a more traditionally styled jacked with shorter sleeves, or with a skinny belt.
7 Comments:
I just bought a cropped, trapeze jacket, and I'm not sure about something - is it okay to wear a shirt that is longer than the jacket? They had it with a tunic length blouse. It looks kind of weird to me, but, it took me about four years to think that capri pants looked okay.
Yes, that's totally fine, although I would stick with a slim shirt, rather than a wide tunic. Choose a longer tank or camisole or tee, or even a blouse, but NOT something with a wide hemline.
Make sure the hem of the shirt hits above the widest part of your bottom half (right at or above your hipbone is usually good).
So I'm curious as to why you always say you should get a jacket that buttons? I am a full size bigger across the chest than even my (also sorta ample) waist and shoulders are. I have always looks for fitted jackets that fit across the shoulders right but I never button them so I've never worried if they don't.
Jan, that's a good question. The jacket doesn't really fit right if it can't be buttoned; a jacket that is too tight or too narrow to button properly is, well, too tight or too narrow.
It honestly doesn't matter if you're going to wear it buttoned or not, it needs to be the right size. When you have a larger chest, a jacket that doesn't button correctly will make your chest look LARGER and disproportionate to your shoulders.
If you have a difficult time fitting jackets through the chest AND shoulders, buy what fits in the chest and have the shoulders (and waist, if need be) taken in.
Good question--thank you for asking!
Hey - I like that trapeze jacket with the v-neck. The only ones I had seen had the rounded necklines and all I could think of was with my chest and hips if I wore that jacket with an A-line skirt I would look like an umbrella.
So I will have to check out that jacket. It is quite nice. Also, is there a shoe requirement for these sorts of jackets? Or can you wear a heel or flat with them?
What if I am chesty, curvy, and have a beer gut? I am one of those people who shouldn't wear these, although I like them. Perhaps with a clingy dress, but I think I would look pregnant.
Also, how would this jacket adapt to the playground? Can I wear Crocs with this? :-)
jenb - I was at Lane Bryant today and they had several different versions of the trapeze jacket. I tried one on and it was very cute. You might want to check them out.
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