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Stay stylish this winter, in a tailored wool number, leather trench or quilted bomber
The cold weather means just one thing: it’s officially coat season. From puffer styles to leather staples, it’s time to invest in outerwear that can prop up your wardrobe in the winter months.
Whether you’re leaning into this season’s hottest trends with Topshop, House of Sunny and Mango or favouring pure practicality with brands such as Uniqlo or Rains, the right coat can be an investment for years to come.
Of course, finding the perfect outerwear comes down to everything from personal preference to body size. It’s also worth considering if the coat is just as wearable to the office as it is at the weekend, so you really get your cost-per-wear.
This season, bikers, leather and shearling are dominating, while the colour palette has been muted down to greys, browns and black. On the runways, Prada and Miu Miu made a case for grey, while Stella McCartney and Zimmerman plumped for check. Shearling is a perennially chic option each winter, and labels such as Victoria Beckham and Lanvin have put a fresh spin on it with aviator styles.
Shearling isn’t the only classic material to have been given a contemporary upgrade. Whether in trench, biker or bomber form, leather is everywhere. At Loewe, there were oversized blazer styles while that Acne Studios leather bomber has been mimicked across the high street.
We all know how unpredictable British weather is, so, we’ve rounded up the best coats that marry fashion with functionality to see you through the season.
From trend-led styles to rain jackets, faux-fur pieces and trench coats, the high street is brimming with outerwear. To help you decide which to invest in, we considered quality, design and value for money. These are the best women’s winter coats to buy now.
A tailored take on cold-weather dressing, Weekday’s wool coat leans into this season’s preference for grey. We love the structured shape and jaunty cut of the longline piece, while the neutral colour palette will slot seamlessly into your wardrobe. Crafted with a high wool count (52 per cent) considering the very reasonable price, the jacket features an inner lining and front button closures.
Surprisingly lightweight, it comes up very oversized (we’d suggest sticking to your usual size for the perfect inflated fit). Complete with peak lapels, two side pockets and slightly padded shoulders, it’s a winner for winter.
Thanks to their timeless silhouette, flattering shape and smart feel, pea coats never go out of fashion. This Asos Design offering has a premium look that belies its £65 price tag, and comes in a sleek khaki finish or classic navy.
The coat boasts a slightly oversized cut, and we love the dramatic peak lapels, arm cuffs and double-breasted design. The perfect throw-on-and-go coat for when you want a more refined look, you’ll dig it out winter after winter, thanks to its perenially chic style.
After going viral on Instagram, Free People’s Chloe jacket sold out within weeks back in spring. Now, it’s returned in five colourways for autumn. We love the colour combo finish best – with the contrasting floral pattern featuring splashes of yellow, red, blue and green to brighten up your cold-weather wardrobe.
Crafted from a cotton blend, the fabric is super soft to touch, while the quilted style feels like a duvet. Despite its thin design (which layers perfectly over chunky jumpers), the Free People jacket is suprisingly insulating – seeing you right through winter and into spring.
A unique spin on a staple clothing piece, Aligne’s trench coat comes in an arresting “mustang” plum-hued finish (as well as classic beige, black and sage options). Characterised by a sweeping longline length, double-breasted design, chest flap pocket and wide spread collar, all the signature trench details are there, while an adjustable belt allows you to cinch in the waist.
Though the piece comes up large, we’d encourage you to size up for an oversized cut that layers perfectly over chunky knits, as the temperature drops.
Quilted green bomber jackets are the trend that just won’t die (thank you, The Frankie Shop). Hailing from sustainable label Nobody’s Child, this utilitarian style is cut from recycled materials. Boasting an off-duty feel, thanks to the relaxed cocoon shape and baseball-style ribbed collar, the soft wavy stitching adds intrigue to the sleek khaki finish.
Padded and insulating, the jacket is complete with a front zip placket for locking in warmth. Whether thrown on with jeans for a dog walk or styled with a maxi skirt and ballet flats, the bomber sees fashion meet functionality.
Another jacket you’ll be hard pressed to believe hails from the high street (and costs less than £100), River Island’s faux-leather option injects some biker style into your winter wardrobe.
Cut into a pleasingly oversized fit that’s perfect for layering over knits or adding some edge to a dress, the jacket is characterised by a distressed look, zip pockets and silver hardware, wide collar and contrast piping.
Superdry’s Afghan coat looks like it was plucked right out of Almost Famous (a high accolade). Popularised in the 1960s, the vintage-style is experiencing a resurgence, and the high-street store’s take is a world away from its signature rain coats (those coats everyone had in secondary school).
Featuring a statement faux-fur trim and cosy shearling lining, there’s the addition of two split side pockets and hook fastenings for added practicality. Coming in five colourways, there’s a finish to suit every taste.
Few coats have managed to withhold their sartorial status as long as The Frankie Shop’s padded jacket. The It-girl style has a chic oversized shape that other coats can’t rival. Owing to its versatile design, it can (and should) be worn pretty much year-round.
Despite the fact it looks like it won’t keep you warm, it really does. But, should you need extra cosiness, the roomy design means there’s plenty of space for layering. If you’re looking for a cool alternative to a puffer, this is it. The only downside is its price tag but we’ve worn ours for two years now and it still looks as good as new. While we’ve got it in the green colourway, the black looks just as easy to wear.
Pinstripe is having a renaissance this season. H&M’s interpretation on the trend has a sophisticated feel thanks to the navy pinstripe finish, fake welts on the chest and tailored fit (size up if you want it roomier).
Though the coat has a low wool blend at just 23 per cent (don’t expect it to feel very weighty), the lightweight style makes it ideal for layering while the detachable belt helps lock in warmth. Complete with a flap and single back vent for added movement, we love the buckle on the belt that gives the coat some edge.
If you’re looking for statement winter outerwear, look no further than House of Sunny’s hustle faux-fur coat. The dramatic design is anything but boring. True to the brand, it’s entirely vegan and finished in House of Sunny’s signature neutral colour palette, with hints of yellow, off-white and beige.
Cut into a longline silhouette with patchwork panelling, the coat features a wide retro collar and back vent, for added movement. Impressivly warm, thanks to the faux-fur design and double lining, the effortlessly cool coat is an investment for year-on-year wear.
New Look has an impressive and surprisingly expensive-looking selection of coats for winter 2023. Case in point, this monochrome coat. Boasting a relaxed cut, it’s detailed in a classic check print with a revere collared neckline.
While the textured fabric gives it a premium feel, the low cotton and wool count – it’s made from a polyester, acrylic and viscose blend – limits how warm it can be, but makes it a stellar layering piece (make sure to size up). The magic of monochrome is that it will go with just about everything in your wardrobe, from hot pink knitwear to khaki pieces.
Scandi brand Rains has somewhat of a cult following for its minimalist yet practical rain-appropriate clothing. Its unisex storm breaker boasts a sporty look and extra wet-weather functionality (perfect for current conditions).
Complete with a hood and built-in cap, two-way zipper, doubled-welded pockets and elasticated cuffs, the jacket will ensure you’re prepared for whatever the weather throws at you this winter.
Damson Madder is is a firm favourite among Instagram’s fashion pack, thanks to its unique, eco-conscious and affordable designs. Lightweight enough to throw on during the in-between months but insulating enough to layer as the weather turns frosty, we love the brand’s quilted duvet coat for winter.
Coming in black, on-trend brown or an autumnal olive green hue, the longline length is teamed with sophisticated trench-style sweeping lapels. With an on-trend quilted and slightly padded finish, a tie-belt is the final practical flourish.
An easy way to inject some colour into your cold-weather wardrobe, Boden’s yellow check coat is a vibrant investment. Crafted from a polyester and wool blend with a lining to lock in warmth, it’s pleasingly insulating from the elements– especially when fastened up. A flattering length, it sits just above the knee, while the relaxed cut allows you to layer it over chunky knits.
Complete with roomy front pockets, the classic revere collar gives it a smart feel. Whether thrown on over jeans and trousers for the office or styled with equally vibrant trainers at the weekend, you’ll be sure to dig it out year after year.
Leaning into trends but remaining classic, Weekday’s Alex coat is a stellar addition to your winter wardrobe. If you’re after a quilted bomber, you won’t regret investing in Nobody’s Child eco-friendly design, while House of Sunny’s longline take is a statement piece you’ll dig out year after year.
Looking for more sartorial inspiration? We’ve rounded up the best women’s waistcoats