Hermès’ current ready-to-wear catalog lists long convertible cashmere coats and other outerwear; CHANEL’s autumn/winter collections gives suit jackets an important place. These product clues suggest that long coats and shorter jackets are not mutually exclusive choices, but rather serve different wardrobe tasks.
Long coats are suitable for comparing the two states of being buttoned and open. When buttoned up, the neckline, shoulders and hem form the main outline; when open, the inner knitted fabric and trousers become the visual center. Don't just look at the front when trying on clothes. Raising your hands, sitting down and carrying your bag are also part of the judgment.
Jackets are more directly related to trousers and skirt waists. Where the clothing length stops will affect the proportion of the bottoms exposed; if the inner layer is thicker, enough space is needed for the arms and back. When using it as a winter coat, you should also consider the actual weather to determine whether additional layers of coverage are needed.
Brand collections provide design direction and are not a substitute for examination of specific product ingredients, linings and care information. When you're ready to buy a winter coat that you'll wear over and over again, start by wearing your most common knit and then compare two different cuts to keep the one that's really easy to move around in.