The weather has been a little all over the place in the UK lately. So much so that when I had told a friend recently that I have finally purchased the dream autumn winter coat she jokingly told me that I may as well return it as I may not need one any time soon! The thing is, I like building my go to capsule wardrobe for the coming seasons. It takes a lot of careful planning on how to ‘upcycle’ my fave autumn/winter pieces from the year before all while injecting new life into my wardrobe with newer purchases too. I really try hard not to be pulled into the temptation of over purchasing for the changing seasons when I really know that there are only a handful of timeless seasonless pieces that I will continue to wear from October Through to March.
Over the years, I have been exposed to quite a lot of content telling me that I need about 100 different autumn winter coats to get me through every weather, every holiday related event and every outfit change of the season however, that has never quite sat right with me. Why can’t I have just one or two good coats that see me through the winter days? If you are someone like me who takes at least half the year anyway to decide on what style of coat actually suits you, and your wardrobe, then this is even more important. And that also like me, having an array of options could lead to lots of styling insecurity.
This year, I have chosen and purchased my timeless staple coat for the autumn winter season, and it’s a coat that I know I will most certainly wear all season long. I’ve done this already because I already knew exactly what I was looking for and had told myself that if I come across the dream coat, I am not going to hesitate like I always do and I am just going to go ahead and purchase.
By writing out a mental list stating everything that I wanted from my investment-worthy coat, it made shopping so much easier and so much more intentional. I know that having one or two staple coats for an entire season doesn’t sound the most appealing thing to do for a lot of people, but it is honestly the best thing I have done so far for my autumn winter capsule wardrobe. It has helped reduce my styling anxiety as I don’t have to pick through several brand new coats to finish off an outfit, It’s a more sustainable and conscious effort being made when making the commitment to buy, and it gives me a high sense of satisfaction with my purchase. I have shared below how to shop for longevity and quality in winter coat in the same way that I did.
- Ask yourself what exactly do you need in terms of practicality
The best thing to ask is what exactly you need from your new coat. Do you need to be able to wear It for work, events, evenings out? Or do you need it to go with a certain colour pallet in your current wardrobe. By asking myself these questions, I was able to come to the conclusion of what I needed which was something timeless and transitional.
- What do YOU really like
There are so many styles, shapes and colours on the market for coats and it feels like you can buy a stylish coat from any decent retailer. The best thing to ask yourself is what do you like and what really suites you. It’s very easy to purchase one that has been hyper styled by an influencer of some sort but I think the safest and most sustainable way to shop for a coat is to be able to really figure out what you like. Before choosing to purchase, give yourself a little time to shop around and look at a few styles before committing to anything.
- Lets talk fabrics
For the colder months, fabric is something that I really do not compromise on. Choosing a coat that has a composition of wools, cashmere, alpaca or mohair will for sure make for a great investment. These fabrics are all natural derived and keep in a lot more warmth than synthetic materials often do. When looking for a new coat be sure to look for something made from those fabrics.
- Colour
For a sustainable and intentional purchase, colour is an important decision to make to save you from feeling as though you need a huge array of choices for the season. The coat I chose for myself is brown and that is because I have a natural but classic coloured wardrobe and feel as though the brown will work well with everything I already have in my wardrobe, as well as being able to add something a little different to my outfits. Think about the colours that work for you and the wardrobe that you have already created for yourself. This way you know that you are purchasing something that has longevity.
- Timeless or trendy
The best brands for timeless autumn and winter coats in my opinion have been styled up in my style images below. Knowing how to choose a timeless coat is more challenging I find than finding a trendy one. Now making the decision on which you’d prefer to have for the season can be made easier if you are looking for a versatile coat for your wardrobe. The best way to do this is to ask what suites you best, trendy or timeless looks and what would pair best with your wardrobe. This being said it is still possible to mix and match the looks.
House of Bruar coat, LYNYER earrings, Jimmy Choo bag, &OtherStories dress, Hermès scarf, Stuart Weitzman boots, Massimo Dutti Scarf, Massimo Dutti coat, Sandro dress, COS bag, Mango tights, APM Monaco earrings
For years I had always gone for a classic style black coat as a safe option but if like me you wish to change it up a bit, opt for browns and greys. There is a very old fashioned rule that you cannot pair brown items with black but I think in this example alone I have managed to debunk that! In terms of going for a timeless versatile coat style, go for something buttoned down with gentle tailoring or with a tied or belted fastening but in a fitted style rather than over sized. Gentle tailoring and fitted styles move through the times meaning that you won’t end up with a coat that is likely to go out of fashion.
&OtherStories coat, House of CB dress, Ottoman Hands earrings, Mango scarf, &OtherStories boots, Joseph coat, M&S cardigan, Ottoman Hands bracelet, COS skirt, Mango bag, Birkenstock shoes
For something a little more trendy, ensure that you are looking for something that can hold up in the season in terms of practicality. Choosing a coat that is padded with down or feathers means that you will be sure to stay warm through out autumn and winter. When choosing a coat like this, look for something with a little more je nai sai quoi rather than your standard quilted or padded coat. Another option would also be to go for a coat made from more fun materials such as faux fur and leather and also has a unique but tasteful sense of practicality to it such as it being reversible like the one I have suggested above. This way, you know that in purchasing a more trendy coat for the autumn winter season, you know that it will not only offer versatility but style too.
All images have been taken from retailers websites, Pinterest or they are my own.
Shamar Viberg 