A Coatee to Covet

The female heart has an innate appreciation for beauty, and in its relentless pursuit novelty is always desired and sought after. Since time immemorial a woman's attire has been the most effective way of self expression. 

From the Greek goddesses whose flowing toga hinted of romance and mystique to the English queens exuding power and wealth in their opulent regalia, clothes indeed maketh a woman. So it is no wonder then that the modern woman is constantly on the lookout for interesting elements that will set her clothes apart in a crowd, in turn making her stand out. 

As the woman of today balances so many roles — daughter, wife, mother, friend, colleague, and countless other — she is even more aware of her choice as it must be true to herself and also allow her to play a little with fashion. Her outfits must feel stylish and current yet look effortlessly chic. A simple twist that will add oodles of panache to said outfit, but will not take too much styling. 

This is where the coatee comes into play. 

A perfect example of a simple element packing a punch, the coatee is more than what meets the eye. It gives an outfit an entirely new direction, adding an exciting twist without being obtrusive. What's more, there is a certain amount of comfort associated with a coatee. 

For women who do not want to step out of their comfort zone and yet want to experiment a little, this is a perfect solution. Many ladies are not much smitten with the diaphanous silhouette of say a cape or a bias-cut tunic. Coatees give an outfit a major facelift.  

A coatee is timeless and can be reinvented with clever pairing. Want to jazz up a pair of basic black top and high-waisted palazzo pants? Add an elegant sequined coatee with three-quarter sleeves. To break the monotony add a piping in a fun contrasting colour and voila! 

A long skirt is without a doubt the most comfortable thing in a woman's wardrobe, but it can sometimes be boring and staid. 

Enter the humble coatee. 

In luxurious fabrics such as brocade, satin or raw silk a coatee will elevate the simplest of skirts. Bonus points if said coatee has a rich jacquard print motif! 

A basic black or grey skirt can take on metallic hues such as gold, yellow, maroon or even emerald green. It can be sleeveless or with sleeves, depending on the wearer's preference. However, the length of the coatee must be kept relatively short, as the skirt is long. 

Balance is key. 

One can also play with different kinds of rich embroidery to deck up the coatee. Intricate 'zardozi' or 'aari' motifs will elevate the coatee tremendously.  A great option for the evening, a long, flowing skirt paired with an embellished coatee is perfect for the upcoming festive season.

The sari is a Bengali belle's first love. A coatee can be an exciting substitute for the good old blouse when one's heart craves for novelty. 

A full-sleeved coatee worn on top of a sari with the 'anchal' neatly pleated together and pinned at the shoulder will look chic and elegant. Alternately a sleeveless coatee can be worn instead of the blouse. When choosing coatee with sari one can be innovative with the arrangement of the 'anchal'. It can be worn slightly loose or kept pinned on the shoulder, depending entirely on the sleeve length of the coatee. Whichever way you choose to wear it, sport it with loads of poise and élan!

A dress is simple yet chic. When worn with a coatee it transforms from mundane to magnificent. Pair a solid coloured sheath with a printed silk coatee, or a floral one with a solid-coloured coatee. It can be a fabulous option for fancy evening soirees and parties. 

Whether you choose pants, sari or a dress, the coatee will always be your friend and guarantee sartorial success! 

By Sabrina N Bhuiyan  

Photo: Sazzad Ibne Sayed

Model: Meghla, Mashiat, Maisha

Wardrobe: Jahin Khan 

Make-up: Noyon Ahmed

Location: Mermaid Beach Resort