What do you mean you haven’t bought your winter coat yet? Have you been trapped under something heavy? Well, whatever your excuse, luckily there’s still a smidge of time to rectify this most grave of situations. It is the season of the coat, after all. Don’t get left behind. Or rather, left in last season’s Celine. I mean, God, how embarrassing would that be?
With Autumn’s catwalks being a smorgasbord of coverups, there are an almost infinite number of styles to choose from. Or, more accurately, five. From little swing Carnaby numbers at Bottega to full-length and 40s at Gucci, designers produced the full gamut of incarnations this season. Here’s my guide to the handful that really matter…
The Cocoon
So often fashion is just about a really strong silhouette and a nostalgic nod to the past. A cocoon-shaped coat proffers up both effortlessly - evoking a 60s feel and producing a clean, curvilinear form. Burberry’s ode to Jean Shrimpton did it best; a humpty-dumpty coat styled with no-fuss accessories. Bailey knows a piece like that deserves centre stage.
Burberry Prorsum
The Cape/ Blanket
Other than the inevitable draping it in your soup/ catching it in the tube doors, a dramatic, Aztec-inspired blanket coat is actually that rare and lofty combination of style and substance. For one, a wooly patchwork cape like Chloé’s would keep you nice and toasty, not to mention make a satisfying swooshing noise at every turn. Reason enough to invest if you ask me.
Chloé
The Posh Parka
The parka is God’s gift to frozen fashion editors everywhere. Cool, cosy, but above all - utterly nonchalant; is it any wonder its perennial cycle is more persistent than the Ugg? Take it out of its utilitarian comfort zone with sequins, leopard print or heels. Also worthy of note: how fabulous it looks with zinging orange a la Aquascutum.
Aquascutum
The Hybrid
Bubbling under since last Autumn when Burberry made-over their traditional trench with leather sleeves, the trend for texture-blocked outerwear has gone stratospheric. Material mash-ups are the name of the game; tweed, leather, gabardine, denim, wool - Prada even dabbled with shearling and sequins. My fave? 3.1 Phillip Lim’s khaki masterpiece. Psst...buy it here. And while you're at it, buy me one too.
3.1 Phillip Lim
The Crombie
Encapsulating this winter’s androgynous mood, a clean, crisp Crombie is high on the style agenda. Choose one in a bold hue (Celine’s orange number would do nicely) and layer it over tailored trousers and a skinny poloneck for a streamlined finish.
Celine
