Oh my goodness, suddenly it’s winter! One second I was wondering whether I even needed to bother taking a jacket, and all of a sudden I’m wearing a scarf and sweltering every time I walk into a shop because of my huge winter coat.
I have 3 coats for proper winter, a nice, wool, brown single breasted belted coat for every day, a purple vintage trench coat for not so chilly days when I want to look like a spy, and a black faux suede, faux fur lined short coat which I got from Next a few years ago and is so warm I can wear it over a cocktail dress in December, stand outside for an hour waiting for a bus and the only bit of me that’s chilly is my legs. It also, as you can see, got me through 3 very chilly November days sightseeing in Prague a few years ago. Can’t stop my ears going bright red though….
If you’re in the market for your perfect winter coat there are some gorgeous new styles, in fantastic statement colours and shapes. But don’t get blinded into spending all your hard earned cash on something that looks flash but leaves you shivering in the Taxi rank on a friday night and falls apart within 5 minutes.
If you’re spending that much money, and they can easily run into hundreds of pounds, you want to make sure that you’re getting a coat that will keep you warm and last more than 6 months. So here are my top tips for buying a new winter coat.
BEFORE YOU SHOP
Once you’ve answered these questions you’ll know what shops you can hit and won’t waste time wandering round Karen Millen looking for a casual winter coat in the £40-£50 range or in Primark for a well tailored classic wool work coat in the £200 – £300 range.
WHILE SHOPPING
AFTER SHOPPING
Here’s my 3 top picks in 3 budget brackets. I think these are pretty all purpose coats, good for work, but pretty enough to stand muster over your little black dress
This coat is has some great fashionable details like bell sleeves and the large buttons and is an absolute bargain at only £40 from George at Asda .
I wouldn’t expect it it last you forever, or be as warm as a more high end coat, but it’s great if you’re on a budget.
MID BUDGET
If you’ve got £100-£200 to spend on a coat then this purple swing coat from John Lewis is gorgeous.
It costs £150 and it’s certainly a statement coat, great for this season, but not so outlandish that you won’t still be able to wear it next year.
I think there’s something very cute and 60s about this style and I just love it!
Money no object? Lucky you!
This gorgeous Pringle of Scotland double breasted coat in a sumptuous wine colour is made from a wool cashmere blend and is lined in a polyester and silk fabric. It costs £1,275 which is a dizzying amount of money (to me!) but it could last you a life time if well looked after, and it’s classic style means that it’s unlikely to date in a couple of years.
4 Comments
Great Post! ( can see why you choose it for the IFB. I love YOUR coat, fab fur collar.
I really love your coat and why you had chosen it for fcb and I really liked your pictures and and designs and thank you for sharing this blog.
Strange that I only like the ‘no budget’ coat. Great article.
Wicked article… came across this amazing new website i stumbled apon in Ok magazine the other day! it has some really cool winter coats too that are a great price… check it out guys! x
//www.yogoego.com/products/100/313/1/Fashion/Coats.htm