Jennifer Hudson’s coat deserves its moment

It's rare to see a female celebrity arrive for a public appearance and leave her coat on. It could be storming in New York and she'll brave the weather with bare shoulders. When Jennifer Hudson posed for photos at a recent Beverly Hills event, however, she left hers on.

Gossip rags will surely jump to weight gain and/or pregnancy conclusions. Our theory? Hudson just knows a good coat when she sees one.

If you got your hands on a crisp white military-inspired trench coat, such as this one, you'd want to keep it on as long as possible, too. This is the time of year to put outerwear in the spotlight.

Our only criticism of Hudson's look is the hanging belt. She looks like she thought about taking it off and then realized what a shame it would be, but never buckled back up. The shoulder pads do wonders for that woman-in-charge silhouette, but you have to cinch the waist for the full effect.

Let's address the color. Your average shopper will think long and hard before purchasing an all-white coat. Mothers of small children will consider it about as sensible as stilettos on a treadmill. But, if your lifestyle permits, and your diet is spaghetti- and Merlot-free, embrace the color white. During hotter months, it's somewhat expected. But, during fall/winter, it acts as that surprise guest that always livens up the party.

But enough coat love. The rest of Hudson's ensemble is just as impressive. The Oscar-winner always chooses flattering gear, even during her overweight days when flattery was harder to come by. Now, the Jenny Craig spokeswoman is the same size as her Hollywood peers. Finding the perfect outfit is undoubtedly less challenging, which only heightens our expectations.

She keeps it relatively simple with this ensemble. A punchy minidress with ruching and a bust-enhancing neckline will certainly put the assets on full display. She plays it safe down below with opaque black tights and leather ankle boots.

It's the kind of look you can easily throw together when someone's plus one drops out at the last minute. Without the coat, though, the outfit gets a mere shrug. Kudos to Hudson for leaving it on as long as possible, unlike Jessica Alba who posed next to her in a strapless dress moments later.

Sometimes you have to go against protocol to get the most out of a garment.

To copy Jennifer Hudson's look, check out the items we've selected here.