Coats are Perfect for a San Francisco Winter! | San Francisco Womens Journal

Coats…The Great Cover Up!

As the winter season descends upon the San Francisco Bay Area, images of fog, wet weather and cool nights become a reality. Another sign of winter is the changing of wardrobes.

by Michele Benza, Image Consultant

Michele Benza

As an Image Consultant, this is one of my favorite seasons because winter clothing styles rarely disappoint me. Many of my clients are ready to pack away the summer gear and bring out their cozy sweaters, scarves, boots…and my favorite…coats!

Classic Coats are a Timeless Investment

For me, buying a high quality coat with timeless classic lines is an investment, as it will remain a staple in my wardrobe for many years to come. It also means not being a fashion slave and knowing what suits YOU best!

For instance, a coat with high armholes and a sleek tie will trim your silhouette. An oversized open collar will broaden your shoulders and sharpen the contrast with your waist.

The Coat is a Great Cover Up

And, the coat is a great cover up so you can hide a multitude of sins underneath. I throw it over anything I would never want to be seen in outside my home. Then I slip on some flats, grab my fabulous handbag, put red lipstick on et, voila!

Remember those high-waisted coats Audrey Hepburn wore in Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)? They fell just below the knee and had a single breast button and a scooped or high, wide round collar. They are still the perfect coats to wear around town today and epitomize supreme elegance and pure sophistication.

How about Catherine Deneuve’s trench coat in The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964)? That bold and modern coat is still very trendy and inspires creativity and inspiration. Short or long, with or without a belt, the trench coat is a very versatile garment that can be worn all year round, making it a necessity in your wardrobe.

Not everyone’s budget can include clothes from top name designers. But, that does not preclude you from admiring these treasures and being inspired and creatively “borrowing” ideas from them!

And Then…There are Gloves

A beautiful pair of gloves can raise The Coat to a whole new level. These days’ gloves come in so many colors and styles; there is no excuse for not owning a few pairs.

Gloves are functional, fun and an accessory. Go out and buy a couple of pairs; you won’t regret it.

Coats and Accessories Create an Image

For me personally, my coats and accessories – gloves or otherwise – reflect my personality and communicate to others that I respect them and myself. They help me present myself as an elegant and inspired woman who uses her creativity to live and enjoy life fully!

Viva la femme!

Michele Benza is the founder of “Michele Benza Image Consulting and Posture” a program that focuses on enhancing one’s personal and professional image. She is certified in image consulting from European Institutions and her niche is European style and elegance. Michele is a member of the Association of Image Consultants International (AICI) and is the only American member of the Association Francaise pour L’image Professionnelle et Personnelle (AFIPP)!

Michele Benza is San Francisco’s best kept secret! To learn more, please visit her website at MicheleBenza.

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