How To Wear A Coat Dress With Black Leather Pants Like Olivia Palermo

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So how do you wear this season’s coat dress over pants without looking frumpy or overwhelmed by layers of clothing?

When it comes to mixing and matching, we tend to look to style-setter, Olivia Palermo, for cues.

Olivia Palermo does the ribbon-cutting for the opening of Harvey Nichols Beauty BazaarOlivia Palermo does the ribbon-cutting for the opening of Harvey Nichols Beauty Bazaar in London on November 7, 2012

The pretty socialite has mastered the art like a pro, sporting looks you never would have thought could work. Case in point, the outfit she pulled at the opening of Harvey Nichols Beauty Bazaar store in London, England early this month.

Instead of her usual blazer and skinnies, Olivia wore a short cream coat dress over a black long-sleeve sweater and black leather pants. She then added a pop of color into the get-up by pairing it with blue pointy pumps.

Olivia Palermo shows how to wear leather pants with a short cream coat dressOlivia Palermo shows how to wear leather pants with a short cream coat dress

Didn’t she look fabulous?

As always, Olivia did not fail to look effortlessly chic. And while it may seem like she didn’t put much thought into the combination, we’re pretty darn sure it was carefully planned and put together the night before.

Now if you’ve been wondering how you can wear a coat dress with pants without looking like you are drowning in piles of fabric, why not follow Olivia’s style here? We analyzed her outfit and broke it down into several simple tips:

1. Pick the Right Coat Dress

If you want Olivia’s look, you have to be sure you pick the right coat dress – one that is unique enough to stand out, with the right length, and with the right silhouette.

Because you’ll be wearing it with pants, it’s best to pick one that isn’t too long; tunic length would be ideal. Also, go with something that comes with shorter sleeves so your sweater can show. If you have the moolah, you can try this gorgeous piece from Cacharel:

An abstract print and oversized, boxy fit give a retro wool coat from French brand Cacharel a cozy cocoon profileAn abstract print and oversized, boxy fit give a retro wool coat from French brand Cacharel a cozy cocoon profile

2. Pair With Dark Skinny Pants

This season’s coats and coat dresses are a bit exaggerated on the shape. So best to neutralize the volume by pairing it with slim or skinny pants that hug the legs and ankles.

Pick a dark color, as it has a slimming and lengthening effect. Here’s a luxe piece from J Brand for those who can afford:

Skinny J Brand ankle pants with front pockets in soft, stretch leather are a statement pieceSkinny J Brand ankle pants with front pockets in soft, stretch leather are a statement piece

3. Layer With a Sweater

As you can see, instead of just wearing the coat dress as-is or alone, Olivia mixed it with other items to show a different take on how to wear the coat dress.

Try a fitted long-sleeved sweater for a layered look that isn’t too bulky:

Loose-knit cashmere fashions an airy red sweater from Enza Costa that is perfect for layeringLoose-knit cashmere fashions an airy red sweater from Enza Costa that is perfect for layering

4. Finish With Sexy Pointy Stilettos

Lastly, to steal Olivia’s style, finish your look with sexy pointy stilettos. For the combo we put together today, classic black will do since pops of red are already present in the other pieces:

With the cool combination of shiny patent leather and a pointed toe, these black Boutique 9 pumps are ready for an evening outWith the cool combination of shiny patent leather and a pointed toe, these black Boutique 9 pumps are ready for an evening out

Once you’ve acquired the key pieces, simply put them together and you’re good to go. For more options on coat dress styles, just visit Shopbop or Revolve.

Jennifer Lopez wearing Rachel Zoe's Cameron tuxedo jacket dress outside Fun Radio in ParisJennifer Lopez wearing Rachel Zoe’s Cameron tuxedo jacket dress outside Fun Radio in Paris on June 15, 2011

Just one year earlier, we spotted Jennifer Lopez in a coat dress from Rachel Zoe’s Fall 2011 collection.

Jennifer Lopez flaunts her sexy legs in a white coat dress paired with matching Casadei pumpsJennifer Lopez flaunts her sexy legs in a white coat dress paired with matching Casadei pumps

Who do you think looked best in her coat dress? Please let us know what you think by leaving a comment below!

Credit: Sakura / WENN

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