The UK is currently being braced by extremely bad weather, although it is hardly surprising as we are in the midst of winter. Between the heavy downpours and blustery winds, we are being hit hard in the weather stakes so if you haven’t already done so now is definitely the time to go and buy a winter coat. Unfortunately here in Britain we struggle to go through the season without a good quality winter coat so it is important that when shopping for a new coat that we give it careful consideration. I know what you are thinking “how boring! Who considers practicalities when it comes to fashion?”, but I am here to tell you that it is possible to marry the two. It is possible to be both stylish and practical as there are some fantastic styles of winter coats out there at the minute.
Undoubtedly one of the biggest trends this season has been the military style jacket. Although there seems to be a common misconception that this particular style of coat can only be stylish if it is leather. However, this could not be further from the truth, the military look works equally well when modelled on a woollen coat. Whilst there is absolutely no disputing that a military style jacket looks absolutely fabulous in leather, the practicalities of this particular style of jacket are what lets it down. It’s ability to keep the cold at bay is limited but a woollen military coat not only looks stylish but it also helps protect the wearer from the elements to a greater extent than its leather counterpart could.
Another style which should definitely be considered when shopping for a new coat this winter is that of a duffle coat. The Paddington Bear look is very now and duffle coats can be seen everywhere at the moment. Again this style of coat can be great when it comes to keeping the cold out and whilst it is extremely practical it is also rather stylish and will certainly not leave you feeling frumpy. The other great thing about this style is that it allows you to be a little expressive in the respect that you can wear it in a multitude of colours and it still looks stylish. For those who prefer to wear dark jackets this style is readily available in black or navy. However, if you do opt for one of these colours, it is advisable to inject a bit of life into the coat by ensuring you buy a coat with a great deal of button detail. Ensure the coat pops slightly by opting for a coat that has buttons which are a different colour to the rest of the coat. If you are interested in buying designer coats then the Y-3 duffle coat below is the ideal example of how to make a black duffle coat stand out through the use of white button detail.
A trench coat, another big trend this season, is a great choice whenever it comes to protecting yourself from rain. This option is a stylish way of keeping yourself dry and the sheer number of coats modelled on this style means you have plenty of choice when shopping for this style.
However, it is important that the classic, double breasted, woollen coat isn’t dismissed when shopping for a new winter coat this season. This style is undoubtedly a classic, which means that if you buy one this season you will be able to wear it again next winter. This style of coat is also a great choice for professional women as it can easily be worn over work wear and adequately maintains the formal look, whilst it can equally be worn within a more casual setting. If the coat is be multi functional then it would probably be best to opt for a coat which is quite flexible in term of colour. Perhaps black or grey would be the best options if it is to be worn in a work setting. However, for those who want the coat to wear to social occasions more than anything then it is possible to experiment in terms of colour. In doing so you add a new dimension to the coat and add a new twist to an old classic, allowing it to appear more up to date and modern, not to mention making the coat itself much more eye catching.
So with so many styles and choices available the only thing you have to do is try to decide which one to go for, but if you can, make sure you go for something a bit different and add a splash of colour to your life this winter!