While we might still be mourning the end of the seemingly endless heat of summer, the colder temperatures do bring with them one huge advantage – the perfect excuse to buy a new winter coat. But, with so many styles sashaying down the autumn/winter catwalks for this season, the only difficulty is choosing. Here’s my pick of the trends…
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Think pink
Just about every big designer sent his models down the runway wearing shades of pink, with everything from candy floss to rose, shocking fuchsia to magenta showcased in the big investment piece of winter, the coat. Carven went for an oversized crushed wool design, with a belt to cinch it while Mulberry was more classic, with a double breasted number in plum. The pink coat is also a ubiquitous presence on the high street, with one of my favourites being La Redoute’s boxy coat in a gorgeous raspberry marl. It ticks just about every style box this season – the perfect hue, a snuggly soft feel and a double-breasted style in a slightly over-sized shape. I’m going to wear it with black leather leggings and clunky boots.
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Chic checks
Tartan is one of those trends that comes and goes, transcending seasons. And, while previously it has had a more overtly punk look, this time round the feel is prettier and more traditional. The standout piece of Emilia Wickstead’s autumn runway show was a traditional plaid coat in the softest blue, yellow and taupe tones, a departure from the darker hues in other tartan ranges. You could easily wear it with a crisp white shirt and pencil skirt to channel a Mad Men feel for work, or rock it up with a leather dress and this season’s beige suede ankle boots.
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Embellished
More was definitely more on the catwalks this season, with designers taking their inspiration from church and court, adorning their garments with everything from pearls, in the case of Alexander McQueen, to sequins in the case of Saint Laurent. Trawling vintage stores can be a great way to source embellished coats because of the craftsmanship which went into clothes in decades gone by. This jacket by Sartoria Italiana would need no further adornment. You could simply wear it with a pair of skinny jeans and look dressed up to the nines.
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Duffle
While, the duffle coat may have once had connotations of Paddington Bear and grungy students, Saint Laurent, under the direction of Hedi Slimane showed how to turn the humble duffle into a style icon. Taking a classic look that wouldn’t look out of place on Ali MacGraw in Love Story, French designer Slimane added a touch of sexiness and a hint of rock chick to the duffle coat. He teamed his grey duffle with a prim peter-pan collared dress but added sassiness with fishnets and buckled biker boots.
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Tomboy
A masculine silhouette can look sexy, but in a nonchalant, not trying too hard way – the kind of look channeled by Tilda Swinton and supermodel Erin O’Connor. But to make this style work, you have to make sure the cut and the material are exactly right, otherwise it can just appear that you’ve accidentally snatched your other half’s coat on your way out to work. The modern way to wear a masculine style is with slightly-rounded shoulders, like this design from the queen of boyish, feminine dressing, Stella McCartney. It encompasses three of this autumn’s coat styles in one – over sized, masculine and checked.
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There are so many gorgeous coat styles this season to keep you snuggly, warm and bang-up-to-date.