I never used to be this kind of woman, but over the past year I have become her–a woman who can’t stop collecting coats. Once upon a time in my pre-pinup days I think there were probably several years together that I didn’t even own one. I even used to think it was ridiculous to need more than one or two coats. Why would someone need more than a light coat and a heavy winter coat? I thought.

Style, that’s why. Sometimes you need a cropped fitted jacket, whether tweed or faux leather. Sometimes the occasion calls for nothing more than a chic cape. Sometimes you need a hooded, waterproof option, and at other times a classic lightweight trench. And then, as a pinup, sometimes–often, depending on your location–you will definitely need a warm, full-skirted, bepocketed, truly fabulous winter option. Today, Love UR Look is presenting us with just that.

Coat: Black Belted Swing Coat C/O Love UR Look
Shoes: Primark

Love Ur Look is a wonderful woman-owned and run business that focuses on producing their designs ethically. Their buttons and trims are upcycled, their fabrics are often made from upcycled materials like wool (as in their pink winter shirt dress) or sourced from surplus markets that would otherwise see fabrics head to the landfill (as in their cactus denim dress.) While Love UR Look items are produced in India, they’re done so in a family factory which pays fair wages, works within ethical rules and is comprised of 80% of female workers. Love UR Look also donate a percentage of their profits each year to Tolfa, a local animal hospital and sanctuary close to their factory in India.

And now, knowing how much attention is paid by this small company to the sustainable production of their designs, don’t you want to know a bit more about this amazing coat? Because I’m excited to tell you about it.

The Black belted swing coat is precisely what the name suggests it is, but also much more. Made from 100% wool, it’s cozy and warm, while the satin polyester lining is silky and comfortable. The belt is a wide sash style, fixed to the coat at the side seams and ready to cinch you in for a stylish and impressive waistline. Because the belt is a structured and permanent part of the coat, there’s no need to worry about the chances of losing it. There are generous pockets located slightly more in the front of the dress than in the side seams, which I adore because that means there’s no scrambling around down the sides of your copious skirt trying to dig out your ticket as you hurry towards a ticket barrier at the train station or desperately trying to locate that pack of tissues you stored away earlier.

That copious skirt is ready to handle whatever outrageously voluminous vintage dress you’re eager to layer under it, because it’s an almost full circle that can accommodate your puffiest of petticoats. The wide collar is a chic feature and can also be pulled up to shield your neck from wind if you need extra warmth. The belt alone would be enough to keep this coat closed if double knotted, but additionally there’s 2 large hook and eye fastenings inside the coat to help keep the torso closed tight against the chill. Personally, I hate having to do up buttons on a coat because it’s never as easy as it should be with freezing cold fingers, and near impossible wearing gloves, so for me these hook fastenings and the tie belt are like an answer to my coat prayers. 

Finally, as someone who has a broad back and large upper arms, finding a coat that fits me comfortably in those areas can often times necessitate that I size up, and even then can frequently mean I can’t wear winter layers underneath without threatening to rip open the satin lining down the back. In this coat that’s not an issue, as there’s plenty of room for layers and comfort. Considering this coat took over a year and 3 extensive fit sessions to finalise, I think that effort pays dividends in the comfortable fit.

I’m wearing this coat in the 2XL, which is approximately a size 18. Providing you with flat measurements of the outside of a coat wouldn’t be as beneficial as it is with dresses or separates because the fabric of a good coat is so bulky that the flat measurements don’t give a true picture of sizing. Love UR Look’s 2XL is designed as a size 16-18 dual size, so according to their size chart it aims to fit a 40-42 inch bust and a 34-36 inch waist. I’d say this coat is sized to fit the larger end of that range. My bust is 46 inches and I think the coat strains over it slightly, so I plan to move the bust level hook and eye an inch or so in to remove that barely visible straining, although it’s worth noting it doesn’t actually feel strained to me in wearing it.

I think the waist would actually fit up to about 37-38 inches possibly, as the coat on the whole is cut roomy for layers and the hook and eye fastenings combined with the belt feature allow a lot more wiggle room in fit when compared to traditional button closures. There’s no shoulder seams so it’s hard to be precise, but the sleeves measure approximately 25 inches from the rough shoulder point down the outside of the arm. I regularly find sleeves come up short for me in coats and these didn’t at all, so my fellow long-armed ladies will be pleased to hear your wrists won’t have to freeze anymore while you drive. The upper arms fit my 16 inch circumference biceps with ease, so once again anyone who has large arms or likes to layer thick layers will find the fit a joy. The skirt is 28 inches long.

The Black Belted Swing Coat and the Navy version are available now directly from Love UR Look, and available to be shipped all over the world.