Winter Fashion
Nov 27, 2023

Coat Season Is Here—8 Chic Outfits That Will Make You Excited to Layer Up

by Bébhinn Campbell

A great coat holds the power to totally transform your winter wardrobe. The first cold snap of the season has hit, and a light jacket will no longer suffice. Instead, turn to the plethora of quality coats landing daily on luxury and high-street fashion sites. From cocooning silhouettes to sleek leather designs, the best of the bunch tick two important boxes: practicality and style.

Personally, this time of year is my favourite fashion-wise, but not everyone enjoys having to wear a coat day in, day out once winter arrives. I promise I'm looking past my own bias when I say that it's worth learning to love them; they come to define every cold-weather outfit, especially if you choose a thick, long-line style that almost covers you head-to-toe. Rather than mourn the cute look you've assembled underneath, no longer visible once you toss on your final layer, invest in a beautiful coat that you don't mind wearing daily.

When you find your cosy cover-up of dreams, styling it is a different matter. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to avoid looking bulky and feeling weighed down—start with the eight easy-to-copy coat outfits below.

Coat outfits: @fakerstrom wears a brown wool coat with tailored trousers and trainers

Photo:

@fakerstrom

Style Notes: A wool coat is arguably the most sensible investment if staying warm is your priority. They can veer towards feeling formal, but you can easily get around this by slipping on some casual kicks.

Shop the look:

& Other Stories Voluminous Belted Wool Coat

& Other Stories

Voluminous Belted Wool Coat

The colour of this coat is perfection.

COS Wide-Leg Tailored Wool Trousers

Wide-Leg Tailored Wool Trousers

Naturally, you'll need the matching cropped blazer, too.

Adidas Samba Og Trainers White Black Granite

Samba Og Trainers White Black Granite

Quick—grab them before they sell out (again).

Coat outfits: @anoukyve wears a scarf coat with straight trousers and mules

Photo:

@anoukyve

Style Notes: The hype around scarf coats shows no signs of slowing down—if anything, it continues to grow, with more and more brands releasing their own version. I love how Anouk has balanced out the voluminous style with slim trousers and pointed heels.

Shop the look:

& Other Stories Wool Scarf Jacket

& Other Stories

Wool Scarf Jacket

Our editors have predicted this designer-looking coat will be a bestseller for & Other Stories.

H&M Straight Trousers

Straight Trousers

You can't go wrong with a simple tailored trouser.

Toteme Satin Mules

Every time I spot an influencer wearing these, I want them a little bit more.

Coat outfits: @sabinasocol wears a camel coat with a ribbed dress and suede boots

Photo:

@sabinasocol

Style Notes: If you don't already have a camel coat in your wardrobe, perhaps this polished look will inspire you. Use tonal styling to make your coat complement your outfit rather than overwhelm it.

Shop the look:

H&M Double-Breasted Coat

Double-Breasted Coat

At just £50, this coat looks incredibly polished.

Nobody's Child Slim Square Neck Long-Sleeve Knitted Midi Dress

Slim Square Neck Long-Sleeve Knitted Midi Dress

We all need those easy throw-on dresses for lazy mornings.

Coat outfits: @hannamw wears a check coat with a leather midi skirt and chunky loafers

Photo:

@hannamw

Style Notes: Is it just me, or does a hint of leather make an outfit feel doubly directional? Faux or real, this fabrication is key for winter. Note how Hanna's Aligne skirt pops from beneath her soft check-print coat.

Aligne Greta Leather Midi Skirt

Greta Leather Midi Skirt

There's a reason you've been spotting Aligne's leather pieces all over Instagram: they're such high quality, and sustainable too.

M&S Collection Leather Block Heel Square Toe Loafers

Leather Block Heel Square Toe Loafers

Just one of the many pairs of M&S shoes we're lusting after right now.

Coat outfits: @cocobassey wears a teddy coat with a jumper and jeans

Photo:

@cocobassey

Style Notes: Cosy queens, unite. A snug teddy coat is your antidote to the cold; opt for a roomy design to leave space for a chunky jumper, then finish the look with a relaxed pair of jeans and heeled boots for a touch of polish.

Max Mara Gianna Sweater

The kind of knit you'll want to wear daily.

Arket Dahlia Straight Stretch Jeans

Dahlia Straight Stretch Jeans

Arket creates some of the best jeans on the high street.

Coat outfits: @thevisuelofgrace wears a maxi coat with tailored trousers and chunky boots

Photo:

@thevisuelofgrace

Style Notes: Maxi hemlines are big this season, and coats are being wholeheartedly included in the trend. Match the length with tailored puddle pants, preferably in a similar hue.

Shop the look:

Khaite Bontin Wool-Blend Longline Coat

Bontin Wool-Blend Longline Coat

A quick (and stylish) way to keep the cold out.

& Other Stories Pleated Trousers

& Other Stories

Pleated Trousers

Wear these from day to night.

& Other Stories Chunky Chelsea Leather Boots

& Other Stories

Chunky Chelsea Leather Boots

If you haven't already invested in a pair of chunky boots, consider this Chelsea-style iteration.

Coat outfits: @vikilefevre wears a statement coat with wide jeans and ballet flats

Photo:

@vikilefevre

Style Notes: Don't be afraid to make your coat the focus of your outfit—it is the first thing people will see. I think we can all agree that Viki's pink-and-blue cocoon coat is the highlight of her look (although we also love those shoes).

Shop the look:

Nué Notes Kean Coat - Cyclamen

Kean Coat - Cyclamen

This colour palette is stunning.

River Island Blue High Rise Wide Leg Jeans

Blue High Rise Wide Leg Jeans

I always think indigo denim feels more expensive.

Coat outfits: @sylviemus wears a leather coat with a simple dress and kitten heels

Photo:

@sylviemus

Style Notes: Back to leather (I told you it was a core winter fabric!). A longline belted coat in buttery soft leather will keep you warm and cool at once.