Forget a dress; try a party coat instead
Not only will embellished outerwear work for every event this summer, it will actually keep you warm, says
The need to buy a party coat right now can be boiled down to just two facts: 1) it’s June, and 2) it’s damp. And by that, I mean that my (and, I’m guessing, your) diary is suddenly full of al fresco everything, but the great British weather hasn’t quite caught up yet. Which brings us to the party coat, by which I do not mean a smartish coat that you wear over your party dress once the wedding photographer has gone home. The party coat should be an all-singing, all-dancing belter of a coat, the sartorial equivalent of jazz hands, as it were. It could be embellished with sequins, metallic, or feature a lot of brocade – all of which is why the party coat renders the party dress redundant: they’re not made to be taken off. Well, why would you waste your best sequins on the cloak room attendant?
Clearly, these are words that Bianca Jagger lives by. Last month in Milan for Prada’s cruise show VIP dinner, Jagger wore a cream and orange pailette-covered coat by the Italian brand. She layered hers over a white silk pyjama suit, but I doubt anyone really noticed what was underneath – because: that coat.
Mere metres away (though not papped, as I’d gone back for seconds of pudding) I too was wearing a party coat – mine is a few seasons old purple jacquard Dries van Noten, and my go-to for any outdoor black tie do, as it’s smart, colourful, and a bit special, but also warm.
We’re not alone. American Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour has made a party coat one of her style staples; often layering it over a party dress for a particularly smart occasion. Or you could take your cue from Susan Sarandon, who dresses hers down with a simple white shirt and black trousers. (You could even opt for jeans, where the dress code allows).
Charlie Gowans-eglinton
‘An all-singing, alldancing belter – the sartorial equivalent of jazz hands’
Designers like Prada, Valentino and Dolce & Gabbana do iterations every season, so you’ll be wearing yours for years to come – which is lucky, as they don’t come cheap. In fact, party coats in general tend to come with an “investment piece” price tag, since they’re not only occasionwear, but also outerwear – the two most expensive parts of any designer collection – rolled into one amazing technicolour package. At the very top end of the spectrum this season is Gucci’s purple and gold pinecone print – yours for an eye-watering £3,230. Dries van Noten’s new season black and red floral jacquard is £995, but I can testify to its timelessness.
It’s worth looking for your party coat in the end of season sales (thanks to their high price points, they’re often languishing on the rail) so if you’re after one of these and your deadline isn’t pressing, it might be worth waiting a few weeks. If not, there are some reasonably priced options about on the high street. H&M’S pale blue jacquard is a comparable steal for £79.99, or try Maje and Essentiel Antwerp for good versions around the £300 mark.
For the ultimate statement, try wearing your party coat buttoned all the way like a dress. Not only will it look elegant, it also negates the need to worry about what to wear underneath (and saves you buying something to match). Just add a pair of metallic shoes and a clutch bag, and you’re good to go – with one word of caution. A buttoned, rather than belted, style is crucial here. Nobody wants to be the person who came to a garden party in an outre flasher mac.