I am going to discuss an Indianapolis Women’s Styling trend, the barn jacket, in depth to help you find the right one for you! For guys, the barn jacket is very doable. Men are not trying to create a shape or waist and want their shoulders to appear broad and strong. The boxy barn jacket will accomplish that goal. Ladies, on the other hand, do not always want this look. I once heard someone say that “oversize” doesn’t look good on anyone! I heartily agree.
My Indianapolis Women’s Styling Opinion on the Barn Jacket
So let’s dive into the barn jacket. This is not a new piece, and it’s now fully saturated into the mass retail enclaves. It can feature a contrasting collar and be made from materials such as denim, oilcloth, fuzzy plaid, or corduroy.
I like that it’s a casual layer and can add some pizzaz to our otherwise plain outfits. How can that be bad?
My beef with the jacket is not how it can add a casual flair to our casual looks. The problem I have with it is the shape. It’s boxy and oversized. This adds bulk. Most ladies I know want to slim down and not add bulk. But they also want to keep up with the trends and current style.
I have seen some variations of the barn jacket in other fabrics like plush plaid and leather. Some are also cropped, which can work for those shapes that can wear a jacket touching them at the waist.
My opinion is that if you have a rectangle or a round shape (bulk around the waist), you don’t want to invest in a barn jacket because it adds bulk and squareness to your look.
What is the solution? If you really want a barn jacket but also want to slim down, then try using a belt. That is what I have done.
I have tried on many barn jackets and thought they did nothing for me. However, I now think they can work with some tweaking.
Tips for Selecting a Barn Jacket
Here are some tips before buying a barn jacket.
1. Don’t buy an oversized version. Make sure the barn jacket fits in the shoulders and waist.
2. Watch the length of the jacket. If you have wider hips, you don’t want the shorter version of the jacket.
3. Find a barn jacket that is made of a softer material. This is more forgiving than the stiff material we saw when the barn jackets first came out.
4. Consider a version of the jacket that has a belt. I found a denim one that has a belt and can’t wait to wear it. I know it will give me a waist and some shape.
Tip: This first denim barn jacket from Cabi has a belt that matches if you buy the coordinating pants. If you need a Cabi contact, please let me know. This is the Cabi jacket:
Here is the Nordstom jacket with a belt. You can see the difference. The Cabi jacket would be perfect with some type of belt: I would pick a dark print like cow or leopard in brown to wear with it. So just about any belt that is not too big will work! My jacket that already has the belt will slim me at the waist where I really need it now due to weight gain in the tummy.
Make sure the pants you wear with a barn jacket are more tapered, straight or slim. You don’t want to add more volume to your shape in the lower half.
Contact Beth Divine Style for Indianapolis Women’s Styling Guidance
If you need help updating your wardrobe with flattering pieces, contact me for an Indianapolis Women’s Styling appointment at beth@bethdivinestyle.com.
Keep it sassy, Indy.
Beth Divine, MA, AICI-CIC
Personal Stylist
