FabSugar

Fall in Love . . . With Belted Coats

Lauren Conrad — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 08:18:03 PST

We are thrilled to share this story from Lauren Conrad! The TV personality, writer, designer, and style maven has started LaurenConrad.com, a social networking site that features daily posts by Lauren on all of our favorite topics - fashion, beauty, food, party planning - and Lauren will be sharing her latest fashion finds with Fab every month. This week, she's sharing her favorite belted coats.

It’s easy to look frumpy during the Winter when you’re hidden beneath layers upon layers of clothing. But you don’t have to be a fashion victim just because the mercury dropped. Instead, take a cue from Burberry Prorsum and Diane von Furstenberg and belt that bulky coat of yours! Defined waists are coming back in a major way for 2012, which makes belted coats the perfect transitional piece for this trend. I love the belted look because I think it’s a nice way to create a waist when it’s cold. And I love the understated femininity of the look as well. As a matter of fact, I even designed one for an upcoming Paper Crown collection (stay tuned!).

The belted look can be achieved a couple of ways: Simply cinch your coat or jacket at the waist with your favorite belt or buy a pre-belted (or waist-tie) coat/jacket. You can even work this trend with a closed blazer and cute belt, too. The belted coat works for all body types. It’s universally flattering and adds the ultimate chic-factor to drab Winter wear. The best part? It’s a cinch!

Here are a few of my favorite belted coats:

Topshop Military Belted Coat
Urban Outfitters BB Dakota Romain Belted Coat
Vanessa Bruno Camel Belted Coat

Which one is your favorite?

Also, how do you feel about the belted coat look?

XO Lauren

P.S. Want to see what the original cover concept looked like for the first L.A. Candy book? Click here to see the sketch I did (and just found)!

5 Ways to Rev Up Your Winter Topper Combos

Marisa Tom — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:52:16 PST

Avoid a Winter wardrobe rut by keeping your layering skills sharpened and your combination styling strategy on point. To this effect, we've culled five quick ways to reinvent your topper game. Pair a faux fur cossack with an equally textured trench, mix an aviator-inspired trapper with a bright moto-inspired jacket, or go cute and casual with a red knit beanie against a more structured gray coat. Ready for more? Just click through to see how we've styled up our favorite Winter hat and coat combos now.

The Best Budget-Friendly Coats to Buy Now - All Under $150

Brittney Stephens — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 04:00:40 PST

Even though there's still a chill factor, price points for coats are dropping left and right. Now is one of the best times to buy - you can find a chic, on-trend coat for much less than you would have paid at the beginning of the season. From puffers to trenches to toggle coats, we've rounded up the best, still-stylish pieces that you should snap up now - and they're all under $150. Just click the widget below to start shopping. Happy shopping!

Forever 21 Wool-Blend Tweed Coat - $24.80	BB Dakota Braden Faux Fur Jacket - $132.00
Bonfire Belle Coat - Sold Out	Spiewak Leyden Coat - Sold Out
Wool Flare Coat - Sold Out	Calvin Klein Womens Exposed Gold Zip Belted Puffer Coat - Sold Out
ASOS Hooded Duffle Trench - $134.29	Forever 21 Wool Blend Peplum Coat - Sold Out
ASOS Duffle Coat With Hood - $143.24	Cooperative Hooded Cape Coat - Sold Out
Forever 21 Wool Blend Coat Belt - $47.80	Foggy days coat - Sold Out
ASOS Collarless Double Breasted Coat With Belt - $143.24	Forever 21 Faux Fur Collar Jacket - $34.80
Moss Likely To Succeed Coat - Sold Out	BB Dakota Sauvignon Coat - Sold Out
Forever 21 Double Breasted Coat - $39.80	BB Dakota Reba Toggle Coat - Sold Out
Pancaldi Vintage Swing coat - $140.00	MICHAEL Michael Kors Faux Fur Coat - Sold Out
Paul & Joe Sister Knitted cardi-coat - Sold Out	QSW Left Bank Puffy Coat - $164.00
ASOS Duffle Coat With Check Contrast - $152.19	Washable Hooded Coat - Sold Out
Forever 21 Double Breasted Trench Coat - $47.80	DAY Birger et Mikkelsen Hooded wool-blend cardi-coat - Sold Out

Trendspotting: Outerwear as Evening Wear

Hannah Weil — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 04:00:49 PST

When Winter hits, the thought of leaving our coats at the door can literally send shivers down our spines. Fortunately, this trend makes use of our pretty dresses, favorite accessories, and our best outerwear. With cues from Kirsten Dunst in a belted Burberry trench coat, Alexa Chung in a waist-cinched Burberry pea coat, and Laura Bailey in a cozy, belted Burberry overcoat, we're newly inspired to incorporate our outer layers into a fresh, wintry evening look. No coat check required, these celebs stay snug and styled, adding waist-accentuating belts to temper the volume and streamline their warm toppers. Meanwhile, a pretty pleat, silky slip dress, or leg-baring slit (we're looking at you, Alexa!) plays up the glamour on your bottom half - add in a little fancy footwear and the result is chic enough to head to any of your holiday fêtes. Just shop our key pieces to outfit your own version of this ultra-polished evening look.

Warm Winter Coats For Fashionable Tots

Nicole Abbott — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 13:37:34 PST

Bundle up in style this season! Temperatures are dropping, and a lightweight coat or heavy Fall sweater just won't do much longer. But mama puts a lot of thought into her lil ones' outfits, and covering up in any Winter coat is not acceptable. Tots' coats should be just as fashionable as what's underneath! From puffer jackets to sophisticated tweeds, there's something to suit everyone's tastes among these Winter styles.

Jessica Simpson Girls Toggle Puffer Jacket ($105): Celebrity style! Vibrant and functional, this toggle coat is from mama-to-be Jessica Simpson's newly launched girls line.
Gymboree Toggle Faux Shearling Coat ($33): Top your tot's Winter look with a cozy and elegant faux-shearling coat that features plush faux-fur in the collar, cuffs, and trim.
Old Navy Wool-Blend Babydoll Coat ($70): For classic style, check out this cozy, double-breasted coat with a gathered, rounded collar for a sophisticated Winter layer. Available in black, red, and leopard print.
Old Navy Marled Tweed Coat For Baby ($45): For little ladies who lunch! This trendy tweed dress coat features a wide shawl collar and three oversize button closures in a lovely lavender shade.
Peace of Cake Kids Curly Q's Hippie Coat ($68): Dress it up: this hippie-chic faux-fur coat - with a decorative brooch adorning the collar - is both sweet and stylish.
Petit Bateau Boys Toggle Coat ($152): Traditionally preppy, this boy’s duffle coat with a flat hood and traditional toggle fastening features large patch flap pockets - perfect for toting your tyke's "treasures."
Old Navy Hooded Wool-Blend Coats For Baby ($40): Stylish in plaid! Boys can bundle up in this sherpa-lined coat and stay warm and fashionable this Winter.
Ralph Lauren Kids Coat, Little Boys Academy Peacoat ($195): Timeless style! This essential peacoat, in luxurious wool, features a classic look, right down to the engraved-anchor buttons.
Janie and Jack Bow Melton Coat ($99): Pretty in pink, this colorful wool-blend melton coat is the perfect finishing touch for your little princess' festive holiday looks.

5 Chic Ways to Rock a Puffer Coat

Hannah Weil — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 08:33:54 PST

The puffer is an admittedly necessary Winter staple, but if the thought of an overpuffed jacket conjures up images of the Michelin Man - we're here to put the sad thoughts to rest and offer you a chicer alternative. Puffers aren't what they used to be, new technologies have given way to lighter fabrics that are just as warm, minus all the bulk. We've culled five of these perfect puffers and outfitted them for your every occasion. From an edgy-glam look for a snowy night out to a sophisticated take on a sporty neoprene puffer - your solution to dressing for the cold (without looking like a marshmallow) is all inside. Just click through to get inspired and shop the looks.

Stay Warm - 10 Bomber Jackets For Winter

Chi Diem Chau — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 03:30:01 PST

We're currently smitten with bomber jackets for Winter thanks to this season's obsession with the sporty trend. Designers like Phillip Lim, Givenchy, and Alexander Wang all showed their rendition on the runways in the way of silk-sleeved bombers, varsity jackets, and sleek printed options. Thus, we're on the hunt for our very own this season. Style tip: make sure to temper this sporty, oversize silhouette with sleeker accompaniments like pencil skirts and skinny pants for chic boy-meets-girl appeal. We love how Harper's Bazaar Australia editor Christine Centenera styled her shearling-lined leather bomber with a streamlined skirt and fitted top. Click the slideshow to shop our favorite bomber jackets now.

Photo courtesy of Phil Oh

It's All in the Details - Shop These Cool Sleeve Tops and Jackets

Chi Diem Chau — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 14:40:23 PDT

We're always looking for cool tops and jackets to pair with our basics, and our latest find comes in the way of embellished and contrast sleeve details. Spotted on the runways of Phillip Lim and Rag & Bone, this trend injects instant pop to any outfit. We also like how it adds a layered element to your look as well. We're on board, and if you are too, check out our top 10 picks - ranging from this pretty beaded tunic from Phillip Lim to the cutest leather tee from Elizabeth and James - in the slideshow now.

10 Cozy Cool Statement Coats Under $150

Hannah Weil — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 11:20:03 PDT

We already helped break down this season's biggest outerwear trends with our ultimate coat guide. Now that Fall's in full swing - and we're seeking a couple of new coats to round out our collection - we're revisiting our favorite styles with one key point in mind: keeping it all under budget. To make adding to our wardrobes that much more doable, we've scanned the marketplace for the standouts in cozy overcoats, pea coats, cocoons, and more - but we've kept it all under $150. Click through for the statement-making coats we're loving and love them all the more for their affordability.

5 Cool Ways to Wear a Cape

Brittney Stephens — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 14:05:38 PDT

The ultimate in ladylike refinement (and warmth), capes are shaping up to be the season's coolest coverup. We saw gorgeous capes on the Fall runways from designers like Lanvin, Alexander Wang, and Burberry, and though it can be a tricky piece to wear, the new cape is more modern glamour girl and less stylish superhero - think '50s-era starlets like Tippi Hedren, Grace Kelly, and Audrey Hepburn. Whether you want to channel a retro vibe or prefer to add some edge, there is definitely more than one way to make it look chic. Click through to see five ways to style up a cape for Fall.

Maje Navy wool coat - $470.00	Silk Split Hem Midi Dress By Boutique - $120.00
Faux lizard belt - $34.95	Undercover Flared coat - Sold Out
Satin Slip By Boutique - Sold Out	Multistrap belt - $55.00
Joie Kathryn Boucle Coat - Sold Out	Rachel Comey Slip Dress - $517.00
Closed Navy Short Coat - Sold Out	Bias Silk Charmeuse Slip Dress - $545.00
Wide leather belt - $65.00	Rag & Bone / Admiral Coat - $795.00
Wool Military Lace-up Coat - Sold Out	Be & D Minerva Belt - $138.00
Rebecca Taylor Belted Coat with Faux Fur Collar - Sold Out	Daks - Stretch Cotton Gabardine Trench Coat - $910.00
Heritage 1981 Heavy Double Breasted Coat - Sold Out	Long trench coat in a shiny finish - $99.90
Military Boiled Wool Coat Navy - Sold Out	Marc By Marc Jacobs Double breasted coat - Sold Out