October 26, 2018

How To Up Your Coat Game & My High-Street Edit

…because coats are the glue that holds our capsule wardrobes together

I love coats. Just like my Dad, who apparently inherited this outerwear loving gene from his Dad who would visit the January sales every year and head home with yet another coat to stuff into his bulging downstairs cupboard that was packed with discounted jackets. I’d say it’s in my blood, but who doesn’t love a coat? Living in a spot that gets particularly chilly during the winter time means that we end up getting a fair amount of use from them and without variety in our wardrobes, we can look like we’re wearing the same outfit day-in and day-out.

Of course we want them to be practical – I personally can’t stand coats that are cut high on the arm exposing my icy cold wrists, WHY!? – but we want to feel great in them too, and boy are there a tonne of cracking options out there to pick from this season. They can often break the bank with their price-tag, so today I thought I’d arm you with my favourites from the high-street. If the quality and fit is there, don’t be afraid to invest a little more than usual as a classic jacket can be something that will stand the test of time in your closet. Make sure you have your essentials locked down before you treat yourself to something a bit funkier to jazz things up; I’ve included my picks for both categories. Here’s my advice when it comes to upping your coat game…

HOW TO UP YOUR COAT GAME

Take stock. Before you get buying, take stock of what you already own. Get all your coats out and in one place so you can compare them all and see what you’re working with. Maybe there’s a black jacket that had been right at the back that you forgot that you even had. This stops you from buying dupes and allows you to clearly see where the gaps are that need filling.

What’s the upkeep? When you are eying up a new coat purchase, check to see what the washing instructions are before you take it to the till. Some items can be a real faff to clean and if it sounds like something that you’re never going to do and you can’t give it the full T.L.C that it deserves, then put it back and walk away.

Check the fit. Like I mentioned, we want our coats to be practical so give it a proper test before you commit to your purchase. Check the sleeve length and that you can fit it over any chunky knits you have. Make sure you can comfortably lift your arms and it fits round your front if you do fancy buttoning it up. Give the seams a once over and if it does come with an extra button – SAVE IT.

Get funky. Once you’ve ticked off whatever constitutes a basic to you, add one or two off piste choices to your rails to push you out of your comfort zone a little. Earlier this year I treated myself to a YELLOW COAT – yes, really – and I’ve been so surprised at how often I’ve found myself wearing it. Add some variety, add some zing – you might end up onto a good thing.

THE BASICS EDIT

Ahhh – I love me a good basic. I always find that Whistles come to the rescue in this category. I have a navy pea coat from them – purchased the winter before last, and this tan long coat – purchased this past winter season, and they are both my most-worn coats in my wardrobe hands down. Although they no longer have the two that I have in stock, check out their latest version of the navy pea coat here, and the tan coat here.

I feel like & Other Stories always have some crackers in this category too. Personal highlights from this season include the Oversized Alpaca Bend Coat in a fit that will always be a classic, this Wool Blend Plaid Coat if you fancy something that’s got the cut of a basic, but with a slightly more head-turning print and the A-Line Wool Blended Coat, which is v.similar and a great dupe for the Whistles one that I’ve photographed for this post.

SHOP MY FAVOURITES

THE ‘SOMETHING DIFFERENT’ EDIT

I’ve spoken about my love for Mango before. Now I don’t mean the stores. The stores really don’t do it for me and I can find myself wandering around for a solid 20 minutes and not finding anything that I’m particularly fond of. But online? Well, online is SWOONY. They have some stunning coats in at the moment and if I’m honest, it was a struggle to just shine a spotlight on three. The first I love is this Leopard Faux-Fur Coat – do I even need to say anymore? This Checkered Wool-Blend Coat is channeling some serious seventies vibes and I’m into it. Then I can’t take my eyes of their Double-Breasted Coat, that’s a twist on a classic in a stunning shade of bottle green.

If it’s colour that you’re after then this & Other Stories Faux Shearling Teddy Coat might take your fancy; it’s pink, but I’m actually really into it. For a more muted take I’d suggest this Selected Femme Teddy Wrap Coat that’s burgundy and so is pretty much guaranteed to slip effortlessly into your wardrobe already. Then finally, my obsession with green continues with this & Other Stories Short Faux Fur Coat which has ‘EVENING FANCY COAT’ written all over it.