It\u2019s hard enough to find a jacket that\u2019s suitable for the weather in Denmark. When you also need room across the shoulders, stomach and back, and the sleeves mustn\u2019t end halfway down the forearm, outerwear quickly becomes a frustrating compromise.<\/p>\n\n
Fortunately, you don\u2019t have to choose between \u201csomething that zips up\u201d and \u201csomething that looks smart\u201d. With just a few specific choices, you can find a jacket or coat that\u2019s both comfortable to wear and gives you a flattering silhouette, whether you wear size M or 8XL, or whether you need number sizes<\/a> (LT to 6XLT).<\/p>\n\n The most important question isn\u2019t whether you\u2019re the \u201cparka sort\u201d or the \u201ccoat sort\u201d.<\/p>\n\n The most important thing is: When will you be using it, how far will you be walking, and how much rain and wind will it need to withstand?<\/p>\n\n When buying plus-size outerwear, it\u2019s a particularly good idea to start by thinking about your everyday life: your commute, walking the dog, working outdoors, weekends and special occasions. A jacket that\u2019s perfect for the five-minute walk from the car to the office might be completely unsuitable for an hour\u2019s walk in a crosswind.<\/p>\n\n Here is a short checklist that often makes the choice easier:<\/p>\n\n A parka<\/a>, or a longer jacket from the winter range, is the safe choice when cold, wind and rain often strike at the same time. The length makes a bigger difference than many people realise, because it covers more of your body, making it harder for the wind to \u201cget in\u201d.<\/p>\n\n Parkas are also popular with men who wear larger sizes, as the cut is often more generous. You typically have room for layers, and you can move around without feeling that the jacket is tight across your back.<\/p>\n\n The collar and hood are particularly worth looking out for. A high collar can help you stay warm without having to wrap yourself up in scarves, and an adjustable hood makes a big difference in windy conditions.<\/p>\n\n If you\u2019re looking for something parka-style at Hos Birger, you\u2019ll often find it in the rain and wind jackets or functional jackets categories from brands that also stock larger sizes. Some styles are listed with a waterproof rating (e.g. 3,000 mm<\/a> (on selected jackets), which gives an indication of how much rain it can withstand.<\/p>\n\n This woollen coat is for those who want a smarter look without it being too formal. It\u2019s perfect for a day out in town, dinners, work, meetings and any occasion where you want to look well-dressed.<\/p>\n\n Wool is a natural insulator, and a good coat can feel warmer than it looks. That said, wool isn\u2019t a raincoat. It can cope with a bit of damp and light showers, but in persistent rain, you\u2019ll be better off with a parka or a technical jacket.<\/p>\n\n With larger sizes, the fit is absolutely crucial: a woollen coat can have some room across the chest and stomach, but it must still drape nicely. Longer styles can be an advantage, as they create a sense of balance in the lines and a \u201ccleaner\u201d look. At Birger's<\/a> includes, amongst other things, a long woollen coat<\/a> made from a wool and cashmere blend, which is a good example of the sort of coat many people are looking for on more formal occasions.<\/p>\n\n One simple detail that often makes a woollen coat more practical: proper inside pockets. When you have room for your mobile, keys and wallet without the coat \u201cpulling\u201d, it feels more comfortable to wear.<\/p>\n\n Softshell is for those who want to be able to move freely. It\u2019s lightweight, usually has a bit of stretch, and is often both windproof and reasonably water-repellent, without feeling clammy on the inside.<\/p>\n\n It\u2019s rarely warm enough on its own in the depths of winter, but for spring and autumn, bike rides, walks in the fresh air and general everyday use, it\u2019s spot on. Many people also use a softshell as a \u201cwork jacket\u201d because it allows freedom of movement in the shoulders and arms.<\/p>\n\n If you\u2019re looking for softshell jackets in larger sizes, you may find that they aren\u2019t always clearly labelled as \u201csoftshell\u201d in all online shops. Look for words such as stretchy, breathable, windproof and water-repellent, and for a slightly softer fabric than that of classic rain jackets.<\/p>\n\n It can be useful to see the differences all in one place, especially when you\u2019re trying to find a single jacket that\u2019ll cover as many occasions as possible.<\/p>\n\n A jacket may be \u201cbig enough\u201d on paper and still feel wrong when you try it on. It often comes down to a few key areas: the shoulders, the armholes, the waist and the length.<\/p>\n\n When trying on outerwear, do so with the clothes you\u2019d realistically be wearing underneath. A thin T-shirt rarely gives an accurate impression in November.<\/p>\n\n Here are a few simple rules of thumb that usually help:<\/p>\n\n If you often find that jackets are too short, look for sizes marked with numbers. This can be a much better solution than simply going up a size, as it gives you the length you need without making the jacket too baggy.<\/p>\n\n At Birger, we specialise in sizes ranging from M to 8XL, as well as LT to 6XLT, and this is often where many brands stand out: when they actually have patterns designed for larger body types, rather than simply \u201cscaling them up\u201d.<\/p>\n\n It\u2019s tempting to choose what feels lovely in the fitting room. But outerwear gets put through its paces, and in Denmark in particular, it\u2019s a mix of rain, salt, wind and sudden changes in temperature.<\/p>\n\n Wool coats are best aired, brushed and dry-cleaned as and when required. Parkas and technical jackets can often be washed, but they may lose their surface protection if not cared for properly, and some benefit from being re-waterproofed after a while.<\/p>\n\n If you bear maintenance in mind, it becomes easier to make realistic choices. A coat that needs dry cleaning might be absolutely perfect for the office and special occasions, but impractical as an \u201call-purpose jacket\u201d.<\/p>\n\n Most bad purchases aren\u2019t about taste. They\u2019re about function and fit.<\/p>\n\n If you want to avoid them, test the jacket whilst moving: sit down, stretch your arms out in front of you, lift them up, and try zipping it up and down without looking. If it feels awkward in the shop, it won\u2019t be any better on a windy day.<\/p>\n\n Many people would be happy with just one that can handle most things. This is possible if you choose based on your most common scenario.<\/p>\n\n Here\u2019s a practical way of looking at it:<\/p>\n\n At Birger, we don\u2019t stock a huge, uniform range of all types of outerwear all the time, but our focus is precisely on ensuring that what\u2019s on the shelves makes sense in terms of fit and size. And if you shop online, it\u2019s nice to be able to exchange items at your leisure when you need to find just the right length and width.<\/p>\n\n Outerwear in large sizes can certainly be functional. It can still look smart.<\/p>\n\n A simple colour such as black, navy or khaki is easy to wear and goes well with both jeans and smart trousers. A jacket that falls to mid-thigh can also make you look more \u201cput-together\u201d, as it creates a smoother transition between your top and bottom half.<\/p>\n\n And these little things make a big difference: a good collar, a zip that glides smoothly, and pockets in just the right place. These are often the things you notice every single day.<\/p>\n\n If you\u2019re ordering outerwear from an online shop, start by measuring a jacket you already like wearing, and compare it with the measurement chart<\/a>. Pay particular attention to chest width and back width.<\/p>\n\nBefore you choose a model: think about how you\u2019ll use it, not just how it looks<\/h2>\n\n
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Parkas and \u201clong coats\u201d: when the weather calls the shots<\/h2>\n\n
The woollen coat: classic, stylish and surprisingly warm<\/h2>\n\n
Softshell: the versatile solution for changeable weather and outdoor activities<\/h2>\n\n
Quick overview: what\u2019s best for you?<\/h2>\n\n
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\n \nType<\/th>\n Best for<\/th>\n Weather<\/th>\n Comfort in larger sizes<\/th>\n Style<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n Parka \/ longer winter jacket<\/td>\n Cold, windy, everyday use<\/td>\n Good in windy conditions, often good in the rain<\/td>\n Spacious, good for layering, can feel heavy<\/td>\n Casual to smart casual<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Wool coat<\/td>\n City, work, in good condition<\/td>\n Good in dry, cold conditions; less effective in the rain<\/td>\n May require a more precise fit<\/td>\n Classic and sharp<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Softshell<\/td>\n Changeable weather, activity<\/td>\n Good in windy conditions, OK in light rain<\/td>\n A great deal of freedom of movement, frequent stretching<\/td>\n Sporty and simple<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n Fit in plus sizes: the details that make all the difference<\/h2>\n\n
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Materials and maintenance: think six months ahead<\/h2>\n\n
Three common shopping mistakes and how to avoid them<\/h2>\n\n
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Here\u2019s how to choose if you only want one \u201cmain jacket\u201d<\/h2>\n\n
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Small styling touches that create a more striking look<\/h2>\n\n
When you\u2019re choosing your size for the first time online<\/h2>\n\n