Coat by Erica Davies at John Lewis. Photographs: Claire Pepper
Coats are a big-deal-buy and no doubt, the hardest-working items in your winter wardrobe. They should climate the weather, stand as much as on a regular basis use and clearly, they should maintain you heat. As probably the most seen a part of an outfit, your coat is on present all season, and past, which implies that model can be an enormous consideration. How you feel and look, issues. The very best sort of coat is one which provides a wonderful completion and boosts your model confidence. Pulling in your outerwear ought to deliver a smile to your face, not a shrug to the shoulders.
The difficulty, in fact, is figuring out the place to start out the seek for one thing which ticks all of the bins. With so many choices to select from, I’ve picked out a couple of highlights from the excessive avenue that will help you navigate the outlets. Whereas it solely scratches the floor of what’s accessible, I hope the inaugural That’s Not My Age ‘winter coat report’ offers a good start line and a few model inspiration for the autumn/winter season.
The statement-maker
First up, this retro-tastic coat from the brand new Erica Davies x John Lewis collaboration (£280 – high image). Visually, it comes up trumps; I’m a fan of the floral jacquard cloth and the stunning autumnal tones. It doesn’t rating massively on heat, you’ll undoubtedly want a coat liner (or a much bigger coat) after we get correctly into winter, nevertheless it’s effectively suited to the present transitional temperatures. And an ideal day-to-evening possibility. I’ve worn it open right here, however the assertion coat comes with a contrasting belt. Different types within the assortment are additionally value a peep; there’s a joyful turquoise blue quantity trimmed with purple Rik Rak, a sunshine yellow cocoon coat and graphic aztec-print open-front possibility.
Extra assertion types on my radar, embody the stunning brushed wool pink and purple checked coat at Jigsaw and there’s a vibrant checked, belted model at Chosen Femme. Boden has some punchy choices this season and I do like this scorching pink quantity and the daring velvet coat in orange.
Alice Temperley at Anthropologie
The cover coat
In the event you want operate, heat and spend a lot of your time open air (I’m nonetheless avoiding indoor crowds), the cover coat has sensible attraction. Technical components like waterproof coatings, light-weight fillings and a roomy match make them the cosiest of outers, so it’s no surprise they’re widespread.
This leopard puffer from the brand new Anthropologie x Alice Temperley collaboration (£205) can be a sensible replace on my favorite classic coat, The Beast. Its leopard spots are completely introduced and the cosy funnel neck helps to maintain the draught out. In the event you desire a shorter size, Hobbs has a charcoal and black, animal print model which ends on the hip. And, I’m a fan of the funnel neck, charcoal or wine, Heather Puffer which is available in a petite minimize. For a smaller price ticket, H&M has a collection of puffers (together with a cool hooded parka) in its Aware Assortment (learn extra in regards to the excessive avenue big’s sustainability initiatives HERE). Selling a round financial system, Thought Clothes’s cosy cover-ups are created from recycled polyester.
Everybody raves about Uniqlo’s ultra-light down assortment of gilets, jackets and coats. These are simple to roll up and pack away and excellent for layering beneath a bigger overcoat. I’ve simply purchased a darkish blue compact jacket for beneath my leather-based biker. There’s additionally a extra puffed-up, hooded-down coat within the mainline assortment in a number of darkish impartial shades. In the event you like extra form and definition on the waist hunt down drawstrings and belted designs; there’s a pleasant, tie-style over at Aligne and a padded coat with a drawstring waist at Arket.
Albaray herringbone trench
The dependable basic
In the event you want an easy-to-wear coat which can carry you into a wiser work setting and keep stylish on the commute, a pared-back woollen model in a darker color like black, camel, navy, bottle inexperienced or gray is all the time be a protected guess. Although desirous to look office-ready doesn’t should exclude color, and selecting a basic coat in an excellent shade works a deal with.
This Albaray design is a kind of helpful numbers that works for no matter your day has in retailer. In a comfortable, herringbone tweed with a semi-fitted form, it’ll look good over the whole lot from sharp trouser fits, midi attire and excessive boots, to off-duty denim and trainers. The recycled wool-blend cloth will not be heavyweight, however this coat is right for layering. In the event you desire a extra basic model, Hush has the same belted model, this houndstooth, single-breasted model from Mango is an absolute cracker and I’m having fun with Sam Edelman’s coat assortment. Search for tactile finishes like tweed, brushed wool and brocade to take plainer designs up a notch.
Different versatile gamers embody basic camel coats with MaxMara vibes; Mango has some well-priced choices, there’s a luxurious-looking belted wrap coat at Cos and a easy, single-breasted model at H&M. Introduce a burst of gorgeous color with Jigsaw’s inexperienced double-faced coat, or blue, slade wool trench. For shorter-length choices, Arket is the place to go for this achingly cool, wool-blend chequered jacket (extra sizes coming quickly, I’m informed) and a timeless, boucle wool pea coat. And don’t overlook Jaeger remains to be accessible through the M&S web site; the attractive, inexperienced pea coat, MaxMara-inspired belted, camel wrap and neatly-tailored navy overcoat all look the enterprise.
If you’re shopping for a brand new cover-up this autumn, please donate any spare or undesirable coats to Wrap Up charity between October and November. Particulars of the marketing campaign could be discovered HERE and the Wrap Up London donation factors are listed HERE. Because the charity’s slogan goes, ‘Do one thing heat this winter’.
Much more Excessive Avenue heroes over right here, ranging from £65:
This characteristic was compiled by Helen Johnson.
