11 of the Best Winter Coats For Short Women (Because No One Wants to Look Like a Marshmallow)

Best Overall

Coming in at 35 inches long, this best-seller from Madewell hits right above the knee, an ideal length for shorties. Crafted with the brand’s specialty Insuluxe wool—and a bit of cashmere for an extra soft feel—this cold-weather coat easily stands up to the elements. And we love that despite keeping you warm throughout winter’s chilliest of weather, the material is layer-friendly, letting you bundle up without looking like a total marshmallow.

Why We Love It: Part cashmere, deep hood

Best faux fur

The most fashionable way to fight off winter's chill? With a cuddly faux fur coat, of course. Stay warm during the upcoming snow flurries (and look darn good doing it) with the help of this car coat that's roomy enough to layer sweaters underneath, yet has enough swing in its design to wear tossed over your shoulders. Side seam pockets are handy, but don't add bulk, and there's a central snap button closure up front.

Why We Love It: Cuddly poly faux fur, mid-thigh length

Best quilted

Whether you choose to layer this rich, rust-colored mid-length jacket over a chunky knit or slip it on over a basic long-sleeved tee, the thick, recycled quilted polyester will give you all of the warmth and none of the bulk. This is a shorter length of Everlane's popular military-inspired coat liner that's ideal for petites, falling a little higher on the leg to give off a more elongated appearance.

Why We Love It: Lightweight warmth, recycled polyester fabric

Best tailored fit

J.Crew’s petite section is a gold mine for finding on-trend, stylish options that are proportioned exactly right, from the length (34 3/4 inch) to the buttonhole placement to the sleeve length (32 1/4 inch). Shorties are already familiar with the flattering powers of an A-line skirt or dress. The same concept applies to outerwear as well. This coat has a tailored fit through the chest and a slight swing shape on its bottom half—so it gives the illusion of length, tricking the eye into thinking you have to shop the tall section.

Why We Love It: Thinsulate lined, bright colorways

Best puffer

Puffer coats are, well, puffy. So tracking one down that doesn't transform you into a 5'2" sized marshmallow is a bit tricky. Our tip is to look for one that hits mid-butt, helping to elongate your legs. "This jacket is very flattering for a puffer, says one reviewer. "I am 5'0, 135 pounds and I bought a medium which is slightly bigger than i anticipated but i still love it." With more than 1,000 five-star reviews, this puffer is on our Amazon wish list.

Why We Love It: Slightly cropped, 14 colorways

Best wrap

Classic and oh-so chic, this belted coat is guaranteed to become your go-to for years to come. The nipped-in waist helps give the illusion of a longer torso, while the broad collar draws the eyes upward and the coat's shorter cut tricks the eye into thinking you've got legs for days.

Why We Love It: Removable belt, lightweight poly-wool blend

Best trench style

In some cases, double-breasted coats take on a wider shape, giving your frame a boxy silhouette and actually making you look shorter. This beauty from Estelle, on the other hand, does the opposite. With a tapered midsection and slight flare in the skirt, this baby flatters your curves and hugs your bod in all the right places. We're also loving the understated, timeless elegance of this pick. Hitting right at the knee, the hem length is ideal for us ladies on the shorter side. And it’s just as appropriate to wear into the office as it is to wear out on date night.

Why We Love It: Sleek polyester fabric, faux horn buttons

Best waterproof

Crafted with organic cotton that’s both waterproof and windproof, and fleece-lined to amp up the cozy factor, this coat is as durable as it is stylish—and it comes at the recommendation of Rachel Bowie, Director of Special Projects for PureWow. “This is my go-to. It’s warm, practical and stylish, too. Whenever I wear it, I think, ‘I’m not just a mom, I’m a cool mom.’”

Why We Love It: Two-way zip/snap closure, fleece lining

Best parka

If the city you call home has a tendency to drop to below freezing temperatures during the winter, you know that any old coat simply won’t cut it. Which is why we recommend snagging this heavy-duty parka. Designed with seam-sealed, waterproof fabric that’s stuffed with 600-fill-power goose down, it’s built to keep you dry and warm, no matter how frigid it gets. And why do we especially love this option for petites, you may ask? The cinchable drawcord waist helps taper the coat to your body shape and the high-low hemline design hits above the knee in the front to flatter your smaller frame.

Why We Love It: Waterproof yet breathable, responsibly harvested down

Best lightweight

Water-resistant and cozy thanks to thick, flannel lining, this coat has that well lived-in look and feel. Falling below the hip, its flattering hemline and lightweight design is thin enough for layering without venturing into bulky territory and suffocating your smaller frame. Not to mention its outdoorsy, vintage vibe works perfectly for fall and winter months. Flattering, stylish and seasonally appropriate? Sounds like a win to us.

Why We Love It: Petite sizing, plaid flannel inner fabric

Best for travel

This thin-profile puffer gets our vote for most packable coat, since the whole thing folds into an inner pocket and becomes a pillow. When you're not dozing on it, you'll be looking great in it, shortie, since it hangs to mid-thigh on smaller-stature women, with a shirttail hem that prevents you from looking like you're a big block of polyester. Add to that snaps to secure the cuffs, pockets you can close with velco and a bungee cord hood, and you're ready for everything from a hike to a creative team meeting.

Why We Love It: Folds into an inner pocket, shirttail hem