ISABEL SPEARMAN WHY IT WORKS
Weareverywhere winter coats – on a budget
QI need a new warm coat for work and have a budget of £250. What would you recommend?
AIf you’re buying two winter coats – a casual weekend option, and a smart one for work – it can be an expensive business. Cheeringly, there are great quality options to be found across the high street, so a budget of £250 is more than enough to find an office-friendly option – and the right one could even bridge the gap between your on- and off-duty wardrobes.
Regular readers will know that I always advocate colour when dressing for work – and even if your role dictates a sober palette, that’s not to say you have to look funereal on the way the office. I despair at the sea of navy and black coats that I see on the daily commute: a good coat in a bright colour, print or check makes you stand out.
I’ve settled happily into my usual autumnal burgundy rut, tonally matching my dress, boots, bag and even lipstick in the hue. I’m just missing the coat – and it’s become a bit of an obsession to find the perfect one.
I always veer towards outerwear with a defined waist, preferably with a belt so it can be cinched in. The slightly oversized boyfriend style looks great if you’re tall, but can swamp smaller frames, and a relaxed silhouette can be too casual if you work in a corporate environment. Check that the shoulders fit well: snug but not tight. As for hemlines, mid-calf length is generally the most forgiving and easiest to style with skirts and trousers, but if you’re petite, look for fitted, knee-length styles.
I can highly recommend a checked coat. I pair a lovely LK Bennett one from last year (a black, white and grey geometric) with almost everything in my wardrobe. There are lots of similar styles across the high street at the moment, from Marks & Spencer’s brown heritage check to Next’s chic camel windowpane version.
Now to colour. Pink might seem like it’s just for summer, but it can look amazing with a winter palette of burgundy, navy and grey. Cos has a great 80 per cent wool option in a simple, almost masculine cut that offsets the “sweet” colour. If pink is out of your comfort zone, a deep petrol blue/ green will flatter most skin tones.
If you’re still stuck on navy or black, at least look for interesting details. I’ve had my eye on Boden’s Farleigh coat, with clever panelling on the back, for a while, and the red piping on the collar, cuffs and pockets of Hobbs’a navy Elle coat (£194) makes it a bit more special. For me, the search for the burgundy coat of my dreams continues. If anyone spots one, please let me know!