A coat love story

I’ll admit it, I have a coat fetish. I’ve been told off by my partner, my mum, even the removal men, about the number I own far too many times. I’m not proud of this. Especially in the age of sustainable fashion when it’s really not a good thing to buy, or have, too much. But in my defence, I’ve had some of my coats for years, in some cases decades. 

So why am I such a coat lover? It’s partly because I hate being in a position where you’re really pleased with your outfit but your coat kills it. Some people don’t mind this because you wear your sensible coat from A to B and then remove it when you get there, but not me. I like the whole ensemble to work together. You feel so much better when that’s the case. Different kinds of coats also do very different jobs – practically and aesthetically speaking. There’s a time for a puffa and there’s a time for a woollen trench.

My favourites at the moment are a mod-inspired longline parka that comes with a detachable padded lining – great for warmer autumn weather but equally good when you need to bulk up come November. I have a pale pink puffa that’s lightweight but also warm, and the pink means it doesn’t look too outdoorsy (if you don’t want that look). I have my faux fur-lined leather bomber jacket – perfect for nights out, or anything to be fair. And when it gets colder, I’ll be reaching for my super classic navy woollen overcoat which is smart, chic and as old as my five-year-old son, so definitely worth the investment. 

This season, after a whole lot of not going anywhere, it feels like we can get excited about outerwear again. Despite my already well stocked coat wardrobe (and yes, I do have a wardrobe for this purpose), I’m looking to invest in a teddy coat this autumn – a worthy gap to fill, I think, but more on this later. Discover what your options are for this season with inspiration from some of our most clued-up fashion industry friends.

The trench is the sartorial gift that keeps on giving. Its beauty lies in its endless versatility and styling potential, plus its ability to always make you appear somewhat polished. And there’s nothing to stop you wearing it through winter too, when layered with the right clothes. 

‘I’ve been looking for a trench coat that is roomy enough to wear a knit or another jacket underneath,’ says fashion journalist and Financial Times contributing editor Kate Finnigan. ‘I like the flourish of pleats on this Mother of Pearl style, but it’s still classic enough to not go out of style and have a long life. With the sustainable fabric choice it feels like a keeper.’

‘It’s all about the puffer coat (again) this season for me,’ says Scottish Highlands-dwelling style blogger Julia Rebaudo (@stylonnylon_). ‘Mid-length, ideally, best in khaki or beige. Nothing beats that still snuggled up in bed feeling when you’re out in the elements.’

Our love affair with the puffer, nurtured through lockdown, shows no sign of dying out. Top tip? Opt for a longer length to give you more styling options. You can pair with your favourite dress to give it a sports-inspired spin.

In the same family as the puffer but slightly less, well, puffy, is the padded jacket. Very much on-trend and bringing to mind Jilly Cooper’s horsey set, is the countryfied khaki style. ‘I’m coveting a padded coat this season,‘ says Virginia Norris, founder and co-director of Aisle 8 fashion PR agency. ‘It’s great for several reasons: it plays into the quilted trend which has been building for a few seasons, as does the khaki green colour which will look great with blue jeans and a cosy jumper. It’s longer length and it has a hood so it’s good for rain, or even snow if it comes.’

Not quite your main coat, but the wool overshirt is a strong contender for ‘must have’ in your outerwear line up. It’s the perfect layering piece and ideal to throw on indoors, too, when you feel chilly.

‘Like the rest of the nation, I spent 95% of last winter wearing a long puffer coat,’ says fashion writer and editor Karen Dacre. ‘This year, while I’m looking forward to reacquainting myself with more formal coat shapes, I’ll still keep things casual. Accordingly, I’ve got my eye on an structured overshirt that’s crafted from cosy wool and can be worn as a jacket. I’ll probably layer it over a roll neck and wear with slouchy wide-leg slacks, or with extra wide jeans and lug-sole boots. I like light neutral shades like oatmeal and camel – they work well with navy and offer a welcome change from the heaviness of black.’

Mods, Liam Gallagher, Kate Moss… the parka has a long-lasting cultural legacy which is probably why it never dates. It’s why I can wear mine year in year out, and it has the added bonus of looking good with everything you style it with. It’s practical, too, which is handy.

‘This year I'm coveting a good parka – the comfort blanket of coats,’ says Maggie Westhead, senior digital editor. ‘It will see me from school run to family strolls in the park and goes with pretty much any outfit. Easy!’

If you want to add some polish to your look, a woollen overcoat is the perfect solution. Throw it on and instantly feel more put together.

‘The coat I'm coveting this season is a slick, tailored, and preferably long-line overcoat,’ says menswear editor India Price. ‘I love feeling fully wrapped up in a coat and I don't think that needs to suffer just because it's a tailored piece. I love both a belted version and a button-down one, and I'll always stick to classic winter colours, like black, navy, camel or a super subtle check.’

The only addition to my coat repertoire this autumn will be a teddy coat. You could be forgiven in thinking these are a flash in the pan trend, but no. They’ve been around for a few seasons now, demonstrating their staying power.

I like them for the texture, which always adds interest to an ensemble. They’re also indisputably cosy. Final point? There’s nothing else quite like them, which makes them a worthy addition, even for a coat hoarder like myself.