To wear tops, sweaters and jackets longer than your recommendations coordinate with garments that create a low colour contrast - this will effectively de-emphasis the hemline. See example on page 40 of your Style Guide.

A jacket is one of the most useful garment a woman owns. A jacket adds warmth, covers stomachs, hides rolls, adds authority and credibility, completes an outfit and turns pants and skirts into suits.

Jackets above the hipline look best on short women and/or those with short legs. A jacket longer than fingertip generally looks best worn by very tall women, except in the case of Tunic jackets.

The knuckle length jacket is the most versatile length a woman can wear. It is the same length worn by men for suit jackets. The length balances all body types and heights and covers the behind. When it comes to co-ordination, knuckle length works with all skirt lengths, all pant styles and all heel heights. This length also applies to tops and sweaters.

If pants are to be worn ensure you look good from the back and the front. Women with full bottoms will often require a jacket, sweater or top long enough to hang below the curve of their behind. If you are full figured or larger below the waist than above the less colour contrast between the jacket and skirt/pants the more flattering the combination will be. If you pants are beautifully fitted and fall vertically to the floor from the fullest part of your behind a shorter jacket length may be acceptable with a large behind. Jackets worn above the bottom look best from behind when worn with skirts and dresses.

Balance needs to be created when combining jackets with skirts or pants. A good rule of thumb is 'long over short or short over long'. A long jacket over a long skirt can often appear heavy and cumbersome unless you are tall. Skirts that are very full require short slim jackets to balance the fullness.

Belted jackets are best worn by long waisted slender women. Women with high waists will be more comfortable and look better when they wear narrow, non-contrasting coloured belts that are tied loosely.

The length of your jacket depends on the following factors:

• Your vertical body type.
• Your horizontal body type.
• Your height.
• Your weight.
• Any relevant prominent features, e.g. full thighs or a large bottom.
• Your age.

NOTE: The guidelines given in this section also pertain to jackets, tops, overblouses, vests and sweaters.

The following chart is only to be followed if your personal notes tell you to do so.