Time To Wrap Up

We may be having a brief spell of warm weather this week however the Indian summer is not expected to last so it is time to wrap up against the cold. Keeping warm doesn’t mean you can’t look good and while the puffer jacket may be just the thing when you are skiing in the Alps, being a Belle About Town means your outerwear needs to be a little more urban. Luckily this winter it is not just about one look.

The catwalks have seen a number of different styles to rug up in so here we have pulled together the four key trends and identified the best coats in each trend to suit all budgets.

This is not the first time we have seen the trend for military-style coats in recent years. Marc Jacobs use of them on the catwalk ensures that they will be around for another season. This time though we are looking at knee-grazing coats with an eastern block feel in deep dark shades of black, navy, olive and chocolate brown.

Designers from Salvatore Ferragamo and Marc Jacobs to Zac Posen and the late Alexander McQueen featured a cape or caped coat in their show. Capes have a delightful retro feel harking back to an era of sophistication. But we do have a word of warning – get yourself some long armed gloves or you will really feel the cold without the extra layer on your arms!

While jewelled colours may be big in autumn fashion, there is one colour that stands out this winter for outerwear, camel! Both Max Mara and Chloe featured camel coloured coats on their  catwalks and the trend continued throughout the autumn/winter shows. From slouchy wrap styles to woollen trench coats there is a style (and shade) of camel coat to suit everyone.

MILITARY

We are loving that Biba has returned and they are bang on trend with this fabulous wool  military-style  coat (£290, House of Fraser). Added details are the Biba logo on the gold buttons and leopard print lining – just fabulous darrrling!

The colour of this khaki military wool coat (£85, Wallis) really makes it stand out from the crowd. Teamed with a burnt orange knitted dress and clashing tights it would make a great autumn statement!

If you want the real thing straight off the catwalk then go for the Balmain military coat (£3,875, Browns). With beautiful tailoring and attention to detail it would look amazing with skinny leather trousers and riding boots.

This double breasted Karen Millen military coat (£299, Karen Millen) brings a feminine look to the trend with a belt to accentuate your curves. A smart shift dress and classic stiletto pumps make it the perfect work outfit.

CAPES

Barbour might be better known for its outdoor sporting clothing but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t do the trends. The Belinda quilted cape (£229, Asos.com) offers a different texture to most of the capes on the market.

If you are not 100% sure about this trend so unwilling to invest heavily, Uniqlo provide this cute wool caplet (£59.99 Uniqlo) at a reasonable price.

ASOS are known for picking up on trends quickly and delivering them well and that is exactly what they have done with this hooded military cape (£70, Asos.com) that will make you feel just like a modern-day Little Red Riding Hood!

If you want to lighten up, this Laura Ashley natural cape (£75, Laura Ashley) is perfect for city chic. Paired with a cream polo neck, cream jeans and an oversized cream leather bag, you have the perfect outfit for coffee and shopping with the girls (well as long as you don’t spill anything on it that is!).

The Linea cape (£79, House of Fraser) has a belt that loops through the cape, pulling it in at the waist for those women who need that definition. It is the perfect compromise between fashion and style.

CAMEL

If you are going to get just one coat this winter, the Joseppe coat  (£139.90, Mango) is perfect to take you from day to night and weekday to the weekend.  The colour is great for most complexions and the length won’t engulf you but it is long enough to keep you warm.

For fantastic tailoring, the Carven double breasted coat (£630, Browns) will keep you ahead of the fashion pack. A rich latte colour, it exudes style and is perfect for Christmas shopping in Milan, Paris or New York.

The French Connection All-hours long coat is a luxurious coat for those who can keep clean (£190, French Connection). It’s long lines help to elongate the body while the belt defines the waist – petite girls may get swamped by it though.

Karen Millen comes up trumps again with this funnel necked camel coat (£225, Karen Millen). The soft tone of camel is set off with the contrasting buttons and belt.

BOMBERS

For pure luxury, the Jaeger Sheepskin coat (£799, Jaeger) is creamily soft both inside and out so is the perfect first date jacket. He won’t be able to keeps his hands off you as you as you walk hand in hand in this coat!

The Simone Bomber jacket (£585, Oxygen Boutique) offers great shape and nice contrasting colours of marshmallow white fur lining to a deep green woollen jacket.

For value for money, this Faux Sheepskin Flying Jacket (£78, TopShop) will keep you on trend without breaking the bank. From pub lunches with friends to bonfire night, it will keep you cosy and warm.