Credit: John Lewis Cos Massimo Dutti
Fashion
Why this winter coat is the most important purchase you’ll make this season
By Lucy Reber
6 months ago
3 min read
If you are ready to let a new coat into your autumn/winter 2024 wardrobe, Stylist’s fashion director, Lucy Reber, tells you definitively which is the one to buy.
It’s no exaggeration to say that your winter coat is one of the most crucial purchases you’ll make all season. There’s the expense, of course – it’s a bit of an investment piece. But also, in a season where you spend much of your time with your coat being the first thing people see when they meet you, it’s a crucial purchase. I am a true coat-lover, to the point where I’ve started to think it’s time to stop adding new ones to my collection. I believe in buying to last; a super chic navy crombie coat I invested in from Jigsaw three years ago is still one of my absolute favourites.
But there is a style that has caught my eye this season, that’s made me feel like my overflowing coat rack has space for just one more. The scarf coat. Now, while this style isn’t brand new – I’m sure you remember the furore surrounding Toteme’s embroidered scarf jacket, which is still available for £810 on its website – there is something new about the scarf coat this season. It’s a touch longer and more sumptuous, and all that fabric just feels luxurious.
Chemena Kamali’s gorgeous autumn/winter 24 Chloé show, which I have been referencing non-stop since her triumphant debut, is a huge catwalk inspiration here. But so is the trend for gorgeous draping and asymmetry as seen on the catwalks at Bottega Veneta, Lanvin and Rabanne. The elegant scarf addition to your coat adds an asymmetrical element and elegant drape to even the simplest of looks, and I’m sold.
Credit: John Lewis
I don’t feel like it is my ideal commuting coat – all the fabric is not ideal for easy stashing on an overheated Tube – so I’ll be using a lighter old favourite for that, but I don’t think there’s a better option out there for elegant weekend dressing. It’s elevated to the point where I feel it makes a great option for a chic evening coat, not something I have ever owned before. It’s the perfect piece for all the upcoming festivities throughout November and December. I would invest in this coat before a spangly new party dress.
Read on for my edit of the best to buy and how to style.
John Lewis scarf coat
Massimo Dutti cotton trench coat with scarf
I’ve popped a trench coat in my top three as I think it’s important to have a lightweight option in the mix. Woollen coats, while luxurious and cosy, are not always the commuter’s best friend while getting on and off busy trains and Tubes. Wear this delight over a pale grey pinstriped suit and sleek loafers for a day of meetings.
Cos leather-trimmed wool scarf coat
Though not cheap, this Cos coat very much looks the luxury buy that it is. I would wear it over warm camel tones – a cashmere funnel neck and wide-leg tailored trousers with a point-toed flat. It also comes in black, which would be a great investment for the ultimate forever coat.
Images: John Lewis; courtesy of brands
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