Tweed jackets were originally created for men to wear while hunting or shooting, but women quickly adopted them as a practical and stylish addition to their wardrobe. Today, tweed jackets are still popular among women, and they come in a wide variety of styles and colors.
One of the most popular types of tweed jackets for women is the Chanel-style jacket. This iconic jacket was first introduced by Coco Chanel in the 1920s and has since become a timeless classic. The Chanel-style jacket is typically made of tweed and features a boxy silhouette, four patch pockets, and a collarless neckline. This jacket is often worn with a skirt or dress and is perfect for a chic and sophisticated look.
Another popular type of tweed jacket for women is the blazer. This jacket is more tailored and structured than the Chanel-style jacket and is typically worn in a professional setting. Tweed blazers come in a variety of colors and styles, from classic houndstooth to bright, bold hues.
Tweed jackets can also be worn in a more casual setting. A tweed bomber jacket is a great option for a laid-back weekend look. These jackets are typically cropped and have a sporty feel. They look great with jeans or leggings and a pair of sneakers.
When it comes to styling a tweed jacket, the options are endless. For a classic look, pair a tweed jacket with a simple white blouse, a pair of tailored trousers, and heels. For a more casual look, pair a tweed jacket with a t-shirt, jeans, and sneakers. Tweed jackets also look great when paired with a dress or skirt, especially if you're going for a more feminine look.
In conclusion, tweed jackets are a timeless classic that every woman should have in her wardrobe. Whether you prefer a classic Chanel-style jacket or a more modern blazer, tweed jackets are versatile and can be worn in a variety of settings. So if you're looking for a stylish and practical addition to your wardrobe, consider investing in a women's tweed jacket.
]]>If you’re a businesswoman and want to assert authority, a skirt suit is your best choice. A skirt suit for a woman is like a navy suit for a man. However, your suit doesn’t have to be navy blue or black. Although patterned fabrics for business suits and dresses don’t breach the dress code, they don’t help establish authority.
At the highest level of the business dress code, your jacket and skirt should be made from the same material. The jacket can have a stand-up collar, lapels, it can be single- or double-breasted. The length of your jacket should perfectly match your height and figure.
Jacket
If you’re rather short, I recommend a shorter jacket. The jacket can hit at the waist, covering only the skirt’s waistline. At the same time, the skirt with such a short jacket should hit just below the knee.
If you have a longer torso, you will look better in a slightly shorter jacket. Its fastening should be positioned a bit higher than your natural waist.
If you’re tall, choose a longer jacket but remember that your jacket shouldn’t cover the entire skirt. If the jacket is long enough to cover the skirt, it’s better to replace the skirt with pants.
Short women should avoid jackets with a large number of buttons. One or two is enough. They should also avoid double-breasted styles.
But if you have a boyish figure and narrow shoulders, double-breasted, military-style and safari-style jackets will be perfect for you.
Women with narrow shoulders look good in classic boxy suits.
Narrow sleeves with a high sleeve cap will visually slim you down but won’t be a good choice for women with a heavier posture.
Rounded lapels emphasize a round-shaped face. Pointed lapels are great for any body type.
Choose lapel size based on your figure. Slightly wider lapels are suitable for bigger women, narrow ones - for slim. Very wide lapels are inappropriate for both bigger and smaller women because they visually widen the silhouette.
Upwards pointed lapels make the shoulders seem broader. The epaulettes also have the same effect.
Generous feminine shapes look best in v-neckline jackets with a clasp right under the bust.
Skirt
In a business outfit, the skirt has a strictly defined length: it should hit at the knee with a standard deviation of a maximum of six centimetres up or down from the centre of the knee. The cut of the skirt can vary so as to best fit given body shape. When buying a skirt for work, it’s good to check how it behaves when you sit down. In a sitting position, the skirt can go up and reveal your thighs, especially if the skirt is narrow and made from a rigid material.
Shapes
A pencil skirt is the queen of business skirts. It creates a professional image and makes your legs seem longer. It’s a great choice for almost all body types, provided the length of the skirt is right for your height. For shorter ladies, it’s optimal when the skirt’s hem is right at the knee or slightly below. A longer skirt (¾ length) visually “cuts” the calf in half and doesn’t conform to the standards of a business outfit. A short (just above the knee) pencil skirt will look great on tall women.
A skirt that’s fitted at the hips and flared down to the bottom (A-line) is a good style for women with feminine shapes and for women with a romantic type of beauty. Pleated skirts widen the hips, so they are a good choice for slim women with a boyish figure. A skirt with a lower waist makes the torso seem longer, thus, tall women with long legs look great in this style.
A wide and clearly marked waistband looks great on slim and tall women. Any horizontal lines in the style will make you seem shorter.
Pockets, especially patch style ones, visually broaden the silhouette.
A skirt’s back slit can only have a form of a kick pleat so as not to reveal too much when walking.
References
Coat shape, size, and details all have a significant impact on the look of your figure.
Hourglass body shape - if you have large breasts, narrow waist and full hips, you will look great in single-breasted coats with a belt or with a clearly marked waist. Avoid breast pockets and collars with very wide lapels.
Pear body shape - if you have wide hips and small breasts, go for coats with very wide, fancy collars that will visually enlarge your bust and distract attention from your hips. Shoulder pads and a waist belt will work in a similar way.
Apple body shape - women with large breasts and a pronounced belly should go for large oversize coats or those with a slightly tailored waist without a belt, e.g. a classic menswear-like coat. Single-button fastening and a very deep V-neckline will work well.
Flaps at the chest will visually add fullness to a small bust, while those at the hips will add volume to the lower part of your body.
Hidden pockets, e.g. in side seams, are very elegant and almost invisible. They visually slim down even very full shapes.
Decorative, e.g. sewn diagonally, make wide hips look much thinner.
It can successfully mask trouble areas or emphasize our best features. When choosing a coat, pay attention to the shape, depth and finish of the neckline.
A V-shaped shawl collar looks very elegant. This type of collar is recommended for ladies who want to slim down their figure and lengthen their short neck.
High crew neck without any fastening, inspired by the fashionable style of the 60s, is great for women with small breasts and a petite frame.
A hooded neckline gives your garment a sportier character. Ladies with narrow shoulders will look good in this style.
A high stand-up collar is a practical detail that protects the neck from the cold. I recommend this to ladies with a long neck because it visually shortens it.
Single-breasted fastening, with several buttons or just one at the waist, is ideal for women with very large breasts, for example, those with an ‘apple’ body shape. This style will make the breasts appear smaller than in reality.
A wrap-over style is great for bigger women. It softly hugs the figure, hiding excess weight here and there and it also makes you look taller.
A double-breasted type of fastening will visually enhance small breasts. Perfect for slim women with a boyish figure.
Asymmetrical zipper or snaps that run diagonally will work well for an "apple" silhouette with a marked tummy.
Coat length depends primarily on your height but also on your figure. Long coats visually slim down fuller shapes but can be overwhelming for short people.
Maxi coats look very chic. Perfect for tall women who want to slim down their figure and emphasize their height.
Midi length will work well for medium height women, both slim and with slightly fuller shapes.
Knee-length is perfect for short people because it doesn't visually shorten the silhouette.
Fabric composition is one of the most important information about the coat’s quality. Fall and winter coats should be warm but also breathable. Therefore, it is worth to diligently study the tags.
Wool - this noble and natural material will perfectly protect you against cold. Fabric weight is important - the higher it is, the thicker and warmer the fabric will be. It's best if it's between 550 and 750 grams per square meter of fabric. Addition of cashmere creates a very luxurious blend that is a dream to wear.
Wool tweed has an interesting texture and fine insulation properties.
Artificial fibers - the majority of manufacturers uses polyester, acrylic and polyamide fabrics, as opposed to natural materials. The reason? They are inexpensive and resistant to damage. However, they prevent the skin from breathing and cause increased sweating. They won’t keep you warm because a plastic bottle-like fabric simply cannot do so.
Fleece is thick cotton or wool fabric. It is very soft and pleasant to touch. Wool fleece is warmer than cotton fleece. When worn, it can pill a bit but you can easily remove the fuzz with a special shaver.
Ordering a custom MiaGiacca jacket is a several-step process. Crafting your personalized piece involves a collaborative effort, requiring commitment and engagement from both parties. However, this partnership yields a garment that authentically reflects your identity and lifestyle.
Now, let's take a glimpse at our latest bespoke creation tailored for a valued customer in the UK.
For this particular customer, it was her third jacket with us, so we were already familiar with her style, measurements, proportions, and any specific areas of concern.
However, for those ordering a jacket from us for the first time, we send a comprehensive body measurement chart along with instructions on how to accurately measure oneself.
We also request two photos of you in fitted clothing, such as leggings and a T-shirt—one from the front and one from the side. This helps us gain a better understanding of your body proportions. Additionally, we inquire about any challenges you may face when shopping for ready-made clothes. This information is invaluable in ensuring we comprehensively grasp your unique requirements.
Our customer has thoughtfully shared the following picture along with her design ideas.
We recommended a selection of fabrics and provided her with swatches of what we believed would complement her unique beauty.
Once we finalized the fabric and design details, we proceeded to develop a pattern for her custom jacket.
Given her preference for a puffy sleeve, a unique style, we began by crafting a prototype to ensure the fit and aesthetic met her expectations.
Following the successful sleeve prototype, we transitioned to the actual creation of the jacket, using the exquisite English wool boucle fabric she had chosen.
Throughout the process, we kept our customer updated via Instagram direct messaging, involving her in every step. This allowed her to make decisions on certain details as the garment took shape.
Upon completing the main body of the jacket, we presented her with two trim options, each with buttons carefully pinned to the fabric. This enabled her to choose the one that resonated best with her vision.
As the jacket was a self birthday present, we included a small surprise to go with it - a matching tweed scarf.
In our view, few sensations match the power of an outfit that authentically reflects your identity.
Through our customization and bespoke services, you have the ability to convey a precise message without uttering a word.
If you're ready to embark on the journey of crafting your personalized jacket, let's begin the conversation. Reach out to us by sending a message through our contact form.
]]>Where did the idea for starting MiaGiacca come from?
Every day I worked in my home office, running a linguistic company, and I usually wore my favourite jeans and a T-shirt. But when after 3.30pm I picked up my children from school and compared myself with other mothers who came for their children straight from work in the city, I felt outclassed. I needed something that would quickly transform my casual outfit into something more sophisticated.
I looked for inspiration on Pinterest and saw that a tweed jacket could be ideal for this. Tweed, in itself, is an exquisite fabric, which consists of many types of yarns that give a fantastic texture and appearance.
In the beginning, I wanted to buy a jacket from existing brands. I have always paid attention to the quality of clothes, and I rarely shop at fast fashion brands. I checked the offer of premium brands but just got upset when I saw a jacket for over 400 euro with a polyester lining. I decided to ask my regular dressmaker to cut and tailor such a jacket for me.
I looked for the right fabric for over a month, which in the end I bought in England. On Amazon, I bought some books on couture sewing of such a jacket and brought all the materials to my dressmaker who was a bit surprised with my project.
The jacket came out beautifully: black tweed with a silver thread, silk lining, jewellery buttons - that was it!
Since that moment, I started thinking whether this could be a business idea. I was terrified of failure but realised that if I didn’t try, I would regret it for the rest of my life. That's how I went from the idea to the execution.
The fabrics that I use come from an English mill with over 100 years of tradition. They are produced in small quantities which allows me to preserve the uniqueness of my products. When choosing fabrics, I always focus on their composition, and I especially love those with the predominance of wool because they are soft and comfortable to wear.
What were the most significant difficulties you encountered in starting your brand?
In the beginning, it was difficult to access fashion professionals in my city, Szczecin. Cooperation with the first two pattern constructors was a failure, and I had to look further. By coincidence, I got connected with a specialist with over 25 years of experience who devoted a lot of time to create with me the first model.
Another problem was finding a decent sewing room that would be interested in my small quantities. In this case, I also learnt a bitter lesson because when finally, after testing 6 sewing rooms, I chose the one that seemed the most trustworthy, it turned out that my order was subcontracted to another business without my knowledge and I wasn’t happy with the execution, to say the least. Initially, I burst into tears and wanted to quit everything. This meant severe financial losses for me, but on the other hand, it made me realise that if I wanted to create high-quality items from expensive fabrics and in a limited number of copies, I had to start my own studio in which I would supervise the creation of every piece.
MiaGiacca is headquartered in Szczecin. Why here and not in Warsaw where many Polish designers live?
Szczecin is my hometown, to which I returned after my studies and a four-year stay in London. We've started a family here, my husband runs an IT company in Szczecin, and we're just happy here.
Recently, MiaGiacca appeared in British Vogue. How did this happen? Did the editor contact you herself, did you try to reach someone at the magazine?
When I received an e-mail with an offer, at first, I thought that it was spam and almost deleted this e-mail. But then I started verifying the given contact details and finally grabbed the phone and called the sender who confirmed the validity of the message. I am thrilled that MiaGiacca has been noticed.
And was it an advertising offer, a paid advertisement or, for example, a magazine stylist found your jacket somewhere?
The mention appeared in the Designer Profile section which presents the readers with new brands. This kind of distinction can involve costs. The details were agreed individually, as is the case for placing designs in the magazine’s editorial section. I feel honoured that MiaGiacca has been given this opportunity.
Have you noticed that the mention in Vogue has somehow increased brand recognition, sales, etc.?
Building brand awareness is such a long-term process that I cannot say yet whether the publication has actually increased it. Indeed, this has made MiaGiacca more credible in the eyes of existing fans and followers in social media which is also essential.
MiaGiacca website is in English, as is the brand’s Facebook fan page. Why? Are you focusing more on foreign customers?
In fact, I focus on customers from around the world because I consider myself a global citizen. Communicating in English helps me reach a wider group of people.
Do you have any data on the most popular destinations for your jackets?
We have customers in Europe, Australia, USA, Singapore and Japan.
Do you plan to open a bricks-and-mortar boutique?
For now, I don’t have such plans because it doesn’t really correspond with my idea of creating garments to order. My jackets and other clothing are always adjusted as per the customer’s measurements. A customer can introduce changes to the existing design, e.g. change the trim, shorten the sleeves, take in the waist, as well as create an individual design from scratch. I am definitely more attached to slow fashion and believe in a saying "quality, not quantity" but I don’t completely dismiss this idea, perhaps with the BASIC line.
How do you promote your brand?
Promoting a clothing brand is hard and non-stop work. I focus mainly on social media, such as Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. I also use a newsletter and collaboration with influencers.
Please tell me more about cooperating with influencers.
I’ve done several collaborations, and some were more successful than others. In the beginning, I fell prey to a wannabe influencer. I just didn’t know what to pay attention to, how to choose the right person. I was just looking at the number of followers who, after some time, turned out to be fake. As usual, I learned from my mistakes.
I’m getting good results from working with an influencer from Great Britain. We regularly publish sponsored posts that generate a lot of traffic on the website.
And do you get a lot of messages about gifting your products in exchange for promotion?
Yes, of course, but I cannot always afford such an approach because simply my products are too expensive to make. Each jacket is cut and sewn to the customer's individual order, this isn’t mass production.
Did you use investors' support when starting MiaGiacca?
I finance the operation of MiaGiacca with my own money, and everything I earn, I reinvest, usually in new fabrics and machines. I want to grow my company organically, in harmony with myself and my values.
In addition to MiaGiacca, you also have a translation company MyLingua.pl. How do you manage to run both these businesses?
I also ask myself this question. I work a lot, often in the evenings, at weekends. I always try to be available for my customers who span a few time zones. But I have been running my first company for 12 years, so I have developed some methods. Besides, I have two children and a black Labrador, but more or less I manage everything fine.
What does your typical day look like?
I get up around 6, get ready and take the children to school and go to the studio. We discuss current orders, set a plan and work. Every day I search the Internet for fabrics, zippers, buttons, trims, linings. I personally pack all orders to which I attach a hand-written note. In the studio, I also run the linguistic business that still enables me to finance the development of MiaGiacca. After work, I pick up my children from school, and when I have more time, I go grocery shopping, cook dinner. But I’m not obsessed with being a perfect housewife because it's merely impossible. I walk the dog, go to my Zumba and dance classes, read a bedtime story to my children, and then I sit at my computer and make up for what I didn’t manage to do during the day. I'm trying to get enough sleep because otherwise, I do not function well. It would be unfair not to mention my husband who, from the very beginning, supports, motivates and helps me as best as he can.
What are your plans for the future?
I would like to promote the idea of customised clothes as opposed to those off-the-peg. I would also want to upgrade my online store with a jacket configurator so that the customer can choose the cut, fabric, lining and accessories according to her preferences. There is still a lot of work to do because promoting a new brand with your own means is a long-term project, but after a promising start and enthusiastic reviews, I have an appetite for more.
]]>A black boucle jacket is probably one of the most versatile pieces ever designed. It goes well almost with everything: a pleated skirt, jeans, elegant trousers — the options are endless.
To give you some inspiration, I have prepared 7 different looks with our 'Nora' black boucle jacket made of 91% wool. Tailored silhouette, excellent fabric composition and high-quality trim make it a wonderful fashion staple.
Monday — Pair your boucle jacket with a white shirt, ballet pumps and jeans. Add elegant pearl earrings and a touch of red lipstick to achieve a truly effortless look.
Tuesday — Wear the jacket with a matching Nora tweed skirt and an Akoya silk top to emulate Jackie O style. Add a pair of bold sunglasses and cute slingbacks and impress others with your 'Frist Lady' style.
Wednesday — Go for elegant wool trousers in grey and a classic ivory Meghan bow-tie blouse. Add animal print pumps and a statement bag in red to look like a true boss lady.
Thursday — Add some sparkle to your style with a pleated skirt in silver paired with a rose silk top. For maximum effect, go for a pair of strappy heels and a metallic bag in pink.
Friday — For casual Friday, pick your high-waisted black skinny jeans and a silk blouse. Go for comfy loafers decorated with elegant pearls.
Saturday — Relax in white cropped jeans and a striped T-shirt paired with a straw bag and black and white flats.
Sunday — Feel feminine in a slip dress with a lace hem and cover up with our Nora jacket as nights can be chilly.
I hope you like my 7 suggestions and find something inspiring for yourself.