It may still be summer outside but in the shops the new season has officially begun…
Winter coats are the sartorial foundations of our seasonal wardrobe so searching for the perfect one can be a tricky and time consuming task especially when there are so many different styles to choose from. And whilst there are always those timeless designs that remain on trend winter after winter (…trench coats we’re looking at you!) we’re often introduced to a brand new outerwear obsession taking over both the catwalk and the high street each time September rolls around.
Whatever the style you’re after, investment is key when shopping for winter coats. After all, there aren’t many other items in our wardrobes that we end up re-wearing pretty much every day for months on end so spending that little extra is not only worth it but totally justified.
Still stuck on where to start? Hopefully our AW18 outerwear edit can offer some inspiration…
The Vinyl Mac
This season the classic mac has had a plastic fantastic make over. Tick off yet another AW’18 trend by styling it with chunky knitwear, lurex and other interesting textures.
Below left: Pink vinyl coat, £2430, SKIIM (shop alternative here) / Pink ribbed knit, £93, Holzweiler / Pink trousers, £486, Longshaw Ward / Pink crystal earrings, £90, Rachel Comey / Sunglasses, £120, Bimba y Lola
The Retro Sports Jacket
Logos, neon colourways, multi-pockets & mesh panelling… Yup, the 90s are officially back and it’s brought with it the good ol’ waterproof tracksuit jacket (a fashionable and functional find; our favourite kind of combination!) Why not work yours with a feminine floral skirt for a cool boy-meets-girl contrast?
Above right: Sports jacket, £130, Tommy Hilfiger / Tracksuit top (worn underneath), £285, Pinko / Floral skirt, £135, Bimba y Lola / Socks, £8, Calvin Klein Jeans / Sandals, £65, Fila at Urban Outfitters
The Checked Chesterfield Coat
The checked tailored coat is the easiest way to add a masculine edge to pretty frocks and silky skirts. Opt for a slightly oversized shape to allow extra room for layering up chunky knits underneath.
Below: Check coat, £1175, Theory (similar here) / Jumper, £325, KENZO La Collection Memento / Printed skirt, £415, Tibi / Boots, £89, Topshop / Bag, £760, Emma Charles / Earrings, £174, Bar Jewellery
The Fuzzy Teddy Jacket
Living up to its name this jacket is one of the cosiest cover-ups around. Keep things relaxed and casual by teaming yours with simple wardrobe staples and sneakers.
Below left: Jacket, £679, Off White at Flannels.com / Polo shirt, £115, Lacoste Live /Checked trousers, £79.95, Massimo Dutti / Mini hoop gold earrings, £1100, Patcharavipa
The Printed Dress-Coat
‘Wearing a coat as a dress’ has a been the top styling tip from street-style star Anna Dello Russo for some time now and when your coat is this statement it would be a shame not to show it off as often as possible. (Plus, if you’ve invested in an expensive piece like this Marni showstopper its great advice if you want more bang for your buck!)
Above right: Coat, £1420, Marni (similar here) / Blue dress, £145, Ghost London / Red boots, £855, Tibi / Green bag, £285 & earrings, £49, both Bimba y Lola
The Trending Trophy Jacket
Anything that sparkles is perfect come party season but it’s also great for dressing up your every-day winter wardrobe. This sequinned jacket would work wonders with a knitted jumper dress and a pair of suede OTK boots.
Below left: Jacket, £1450, Ashish (similar here) / Earrings, £67, Longshaw Ward
The Boyfriend Blazer
There’s nothing quite as effortlessly chic as the boyfriend blazer; it has the potential to smarten up pretty much everything and anything in your existing wardrobe. Look out for interesting details and fabrics such as this tailored-blazer-meets-quilted-jacket hybrid by Tibi for extra style points.
Above right: Blazer, £545, Tibi / Shirt, £225, Frame / Belt, £180, Tibi / Trousers, £345, Palmer Harding / Bag, £450, Orla Kiely / Hexagonal gold & diamond earrings, £5900, Patcharavipa
The Dressed-up Denim Jacket
Below left: Think fringing, embellishment or embroidery… Yes it’s a little bit Britney but a whole lot brilliant! Try wearing it with co-ordinating bottoms for 2018’s answer to double denim.
Fringed denim jacket, £415, MSGM at Flannels.com / Fringed denim jeans, £375, MSGM at Flannels.com / Denim top, £270, Longshaw Ward / Red western boots, £495, Zadig & Voltaire
The Timeless Trench
Above right: If you don’t already own this style icon then its time to invest pronto. Keep things classic with a cream or beige colourway and it will be a key part of your winter wardrobe for years to come… Trust us!
Trench, £505, Maison Kitsune (coming soon/ in store only) / Blazer (just seen), £169, Massimo Dutti / Checked top £134.95, Samsoe & Samsoe / Belt bag, £180, Theory / Ring, £187, Bar Jewellery
Words & Styling: Sarah Barlow / @sarah_barlow Photography: Michael Mills / @michaeljonmills Make up: Sophie Higginson using Dermalogica and Mac Cosmetics / @sophiehigginson Hair: Oscar Alexander using ORIBE / @oscaralexanderl Model: Lika at The Hive management / @ likargevskaya Styling Assistant: Faye Aaronson Make up Assistant: Lucy Jones