For a few years now, it’s been more about coats than jackets. That’s why there’s an enormous assortment of coats in all sorts of colours, lengths, patterns, silhouettes and thicknesses in retail stores. Lightweight coats for Fall and Spring, and heavier coats for Winter. Their silhouettes vary considerably because of the fluid and oversized bumper knitwear trend. You need a fluid or oversized coat to wear over fashionable chunky and roomy sweaters, while tailored coat styles are best worn over tailored underlayers.
Here’s a selection of fun coats, many of which I’ve fitted onto clients or tried on myself. Most of them come in an assortment of colours and patterns, but some are available in black. Styles are both Classic and Trendy, and in both cases thoroughly Modern.
- Dalia Double-Breast Hidden-Placket Coat: Inge tried on this cocoon coat in sage green and took my breath away. WOW. It was absolutely stunning and impeccable quality. It has a back neck zipper detail which is perfect with short hair. Great on tall gals with long arms and a regular to long neck. Pricey, but an incredible piece that will not date because the cocoon silhouette is subtle and the lines are very clean.
- Exclusive For Intermix Single Breasted Plaid Coat: A short man coat in soft pink, grey and white plaid. I found it a little itchy, but I'm very sensitive to scratchy wool. A piece that is as pretty as it is masculine.
- Karen Millen Indigo textured biker coat: Polished, sleek and very professional. Angular drape with immaculate straight lines. Looks great worn open. Runs small.
- J.Crew Majesty peacoat: J.Crew's repeat style majesty peacoat has been a winner for five seasons. I bought one in citron four years ago and it looks new. I vote the chestnut colourway. Fresh and unique. Gorgeous with black and ink blue.
- J.Crew Stadium-cloth cocoon coat: J.Crew's repeat style cocoon coat is a well-made beauty. The solid gold two-way zipper is divine. It's cut straight through the side seams and isn't overly round, which makes it a more timeless piece. Best on a longer neck. Excellent deep side entry pockets too. I liked this coat best in sandstone, which looked heathered and rich.
- J.Crew Wool pinstripe topcoat: A new style man coat from J.Crew in navy with a white pinstripe. Gangster Fabness. It's on its way to me in my size, but I saw it in stores and the drape is incredible. Boxy, yet streamlined and a great length. Best on a straighter body type.
- Boden Lottie Coat: A fun Retro style in a very happy colour. Fab over frocks and skirts.
- Topshop Double Breasted Pea Coat: An oversized peacoat in a bold plaid. Dramatic and very trendy. The quality is not impeccable, but it's not bad at all.
- Gallery Basket Weave Walking Coat (Plus Size): The texture of this coat makes it unique. Ladylike, tailored and flattering on a curvy hourglass. The pockets are in a very flattering position on the waist.
- Free People 'Long & Lean' Overcoat: A very bold coat. It's oversized, fuzzy and loud. This might be what you need to brighten up a cold and dull grey day.
- Rebecca Minkoff 'Ford' Plaid Coat: A bold window pane plaid cocoon coat in tomato red. Dramatic and daring. It has a particularly structured revere collar, which makes quite the statement.
- Lands' End Women's Plus Size Luxe Wool Walker Coat: Modern Classic, elegant, streamlined and refined. Well made, and on sale. Both the berry and the burnt orange are delicious shades for Fall and Winter.
- J.Crew Double-cloth lady day coat with Thinsulate: A J.Crew repeat style Modern Classic tailored single-breasted coat with lots of waist definition. It looks extremely fresh in bittersweet chocolate. Beautifully made with a high longevity factor.
- Banana Republic Plaid Cropped Coat: Inge modeled this short cheeky coat for me yesterday and the sales assistants complimented her left, right and centre. It was absolutely smashing on her, and best worn open like the model. Might run a little large.
- Lands' End Women's Plus Size Luxe Wool Double Breasted Coat: An excellent long tailored coat for plus sizes, and especially great to wear over dresses and skirts. Its elegant V-neck revere collar makes it work flawlessly on a shorter neck and larger bust. Works well worn buttoned and unbuttoned. The garnet is as gorgeous as the rich forest green.
- Boden Kate Coat: Retro, bold, a true classic, and with a dash of Royal British flair. Well made and striking with the contrast piping.
- AllSaints City Monument Coat: An avant-garde coat with a hard edge. Dramatic, drapey, heavy and fabulous in aubergine.
- Wilfred COCOON WOOL COAT: An excellent funnel style for a long neck. Slightly cocoon and drapes to perfection. I love the straight silhouette from the side.
- Boden Ingrid Coat: A cocoon coat in a gorgeous mid-tone blue with ample length. Subtle side entry pockets and quite slimming. The single-breasted style creates a strong vertical line down the front of the body. Neither overly boxy nor waist defining.
- Ellen Tracy Fly Front Wool Blend Topper (Plus Size): A warm yet fairly lightweight coat with a statement collar. I vote plum or brown sugar.
- Madewell City Grid Coat: An oversized moto coat in mixed media olive and black. It's very boxy so consider yourself warned. Hard edge and quite masculine.
- Babaton BRYAN WOOL COAT: A Modern Classic in silver grey with bright gold buttons and plenty of length. Hangs as beautifully when worn unbuttoned.
- AllSaints Klein Contrast Coat: An extra round cocoon coat in dark burgundy. This style of coat works particularly well on an apple shaped body type. Heavy and well made.
- Babaton PEARCE WOOL COAT: A hooded wool coat can be very practical. Casual, semi-fitted, and a nice length. The toggle detail on the neck and bodice panelling are fab. I like the refined integrity of this relaxed style.
Make sure your coat fits over ALL appropriate layers. I also like to wear a lighter weight jacket with finer gauge knitwear and thermal underwear under my coats for extra insulation when it’s really cold. Therefore I prefer them to fit on the roomier side so that I can comfortably drive wearing my hectic layers.
Personally, I’m all over the coat trend. I’ve preferred wearing coats to jackets for three seasons, and my coat capsule has grown because of it. Fortunately I live in a climate where my wool coats across various thicknesses get a lot of wear.
