A great coat is an essential purchase for the forthcoming seasons and one that deserves a great deal of thought as you may well be wearing it every day. Luckily this year we are absolutely spoilt for choice, with both high end and high street outlets offering a plethora of options and styles whatever your budget. To simplify matters there are four main trends to pay heed to, Faux Fur, Classic, Padded and Cocoon, so take your pick and chose wisely!
Faux Fur – A leopard print faux fur is my absolute favourite piece to finish a look. My current version is 4 years old and from H & M. These jackets are worn by most fashionistas once the climes start to drop, including our beloved Ms Moss. Yes they are an absolute statement item, so keep the rest of it simple. Style with faux leather Freddy jeans www.facebook.com/Left-Bank-Six and a black cashmere polo neck or a classic white button down and blue denims. Saying that sometimes It can be thrown over a boho dress for a striking contrast print effect. Vanessa www.facebook.com/vanessalondonshoes as many of you will be familiar with from her fabulous footwear collections has launched into outerwear and her faux furs are amongst the best I have seen available. The price point is great for the quality and style, they are not mass produced so snap one up whilst you can. They are also all over the High Street in every shade imaginable.
Classic – The brand for the ultimate classic wrap coat is Maxmara a la Megan Markle but it doesn’t come cheap. I saved for a while for mine but it is absolutely timeless and effortlessly chic. With a classic coat whether it be a wrap style or a single breasted stick with a neutral pallette; camel, grey and black work perfectly. & Other Stories have an extensive range including a couple of Maxmara dupes, not to forget the fabulous and inexpensive M & S repertory. This is where to invest though as it will never date.
Padded – These are a perennial staple as far as I am concerned. Great for throwing on after the gym, popping to the farmers market, general errands..just so easy. My personal preference is Barbour, a perpetual design classic. This season Barbour has done a collab with House of Hackney, The signature piece being the fully reversible Stamford jacket; you get two looks for the price of one so a veritable bargain. The high street is coming up trumps this season, with everyone from Mango, H & M, Cos etc. presenting their versions. Style wise they a bit more edgy too, longer sometimes, with diverse silhouettes, biscuity shades are also hugely popular. A parka will fulfill a similar purpose here as an alternative if you are not feeling ready for the return of the puffa! The dream (swoon) padded coat of the season has to be the oversized black quilted number from brand of the moment Toteme.
Cocoon – This is the only one I don’t possess but that is merely a matter of deciding which one is going to be the next addition to my exhaustive outerwear collection. These coats really pull an outfit together, you can just throw it over jeans and trainers and you will still look on point. As the form is so structurally simple you could go for a really bold colour here.
A special afterword to The Coat of Dreams (Khloe Coat £79.99) as being sold by Danielle at Windsors Wardrobe (houseofwindsor.shop). With 70’s folklore being a key movement for Autumn/Winter you can give a nod to the trend with this multi-coloured masterpiece. I am looking forward to chanelling my inner Ali Mcgraw with a pair of dark denim J Brand Love Story flared jeans and this wondrous, unique piece.
Wrap up warm guys and I hope I have helped you find a coat you will love forever.
Here’s to welcoming the new season in style.
