YEAR OF THE COAT
Embrace winter by building an outerwear wardrobe with this season’s irresistible coats
In Canada, there is no single coat that will work for all seasons, or, indeed, for all days within a season, or even all hours within a day. Cold snaps, rainstorms, blizzards and those unexpectedly warm, sunny days in January all require different sets of outerwear. So do all our myriad fall and winter activities: there really isn’t one coat that will cover skating at Robson rink, commuting to work and heading to a party. That’s why we Canadians don’t need a winter coat so much as a winter coat wardrobe. This year we’re in luck. Retailers have rolled out a gorgeous selection of everything from practical puffers to chic military- style overcoats in eye- catching colours. On this page, you’ll find some of the essential building blocks for your own coat wardrobe. You’ll want one of each.
PLAID
This fall and winter, we’re mad for plaid. Not since Nirvana rocked the grunge look back in the 1990s have we seen so much checkered whimsy. Perhaps we’ve been inspired by all those lush tartans on Outlander. Whatever the reason, you’ll find everything from subtle plaids in sober neutrals to bright, bold buffalo checks, in everything from traditional wool jackets to trendy quilted puffers. Nothing looks more fresh or of the moment than plaid, but plaid can be a bit overwhelming, especially in a big garment like a coat; instead of head- to- toe plaid, you can always look for a coat or jacket with plaid accents.
TECHNICAL
In Canada, we don’t just need coats that look good; we need coats that work hard. Every wardrobe needs at least one coat that is designed to defeat everything winter can throw at us. For that, there is a whole new generation of technical design that can repel wind, rain, snow and cold while still being breathable, comfortable and, yes, stylish. Gone are the days of suffocating plastic ponchos and stinky, bulky, chemical-coated canvas. Instead, look for sleek, flattering, colourful jackets you’ll actually want to wear, even when you don’t have to.
COLOUR
After a summer of blinding brights, this fall is all about dark, sober neutrals — except when it comes to outerwear. This is where you’ll find that pop of colour that takes your look from dour to dramatic in, say, a cobalt puffer, a fuchsia pea coat, a purple overcoat or scarlet greatcoat. If you’ve always been the practical sort of person who invests in a go-with-anything black or beige coat, this may be a tough look to embrace, but it will be the most impactful piece you’ll buy this season. Just pick a colour you love and rest assured it will go with all the neutrals in your closet.
TEXTURE
Just as fashion- forward as the voluminous silhouette are the season’s beautiful textured fabrications. Think nubbly, tweedy, felted and raw looks, textures that give depth without adding bulk. It’s a season of lovely wool coats, but also interesting denim, shearling, faux fur and leather. Look, too, for sophisticated details like leather trim, colour- blocked pieces, knit insets and beautiful buttons, toggles and oversized zippers, often set in an asymmetrical closure.
VOLUME
For fall and winter’s many special occasions, you’ll want a special coat. The most luxuriously elegant outerwear this season is all about volume, especially the retro- inspired cocoon coats with big shoulders and metres and metres of fabulous fabric. This is the coat that will take you to all your holiday parties, the one you’ll toss on over your gala frock. This is an investment piece — and worth it, because volume is going to be a strong fashion trend for the foreseeable future, and these coats can be wonderfully flattering and forgiving. Just be careful with proportion, especially if you have a petite frame.
PUFFERS
Perhaps it’s because most of North America has barely had time to recover from the longest winter in recent memory, but stores are awash in great, cosy, practical puffer style coats. These quilted looks have warmth sewn right in, and are much sleeker than puffers of the past. A puffer will likely be the most hardworking coat in your closet as it can easily go from work to play and even squash down to fit in your suitcase. If you buy only one piece this season, this should be it, whether you go for a zippy quilted jacket or a full- length down- filled coat. For a more stylish puffer, look for details like faux- fur trim, interesting fabrications and, of course, luxurious colour.
MILITARY
One of the season’s other major trends is the military look, which sees the return of the pea coat, the toggle and high- collared, doublebreasted coats with rows of brass buttons marching down the front. It’s a classic look with a touch of menswear sass — very much of the moment, but also something that will carry through for seasons to come. The pea coat especially is a staple this year, that perfect weekend jacket to toss on over jeans while you head to the market or the movies, but for sheer, gorgeous drama, you can’t go wrong with a military- style greatcoat in an eye- catching colour.
VEST
This is not only the year of the coat, it’s also the year of the vest. It’s been a while since we’ve seen so much sleeveless outerwear. And while a vest may not be the piece you want to slip into on a rainy November day, it is the perfect layering piece for those times when the weather is cool but not cold, the precipitation is holding off, and you’ve got an active day ahead. Besides, no other garment is as effective at showing off this season’s sumptuous knits. Look for faux fur or quilted puffer styles in the season’s beautiful bright colours.
WARDROBE
ESSENTIALS
When it comes to outerwear, what you need depends on what your life is like. For instance, if you live in a rainy climate like Vancouver’s, you’re more likely to need a raincoat than if you live in, say, Arizona. That said, though, there are some quintessential coats every woman should have in her outerwear wardrobe.
• Work coat: The coat that carries you to the office and home. It should be dressy enough for the office and important work events, but hardworking, tough and weather resilient.
Think: full- length puffers and overcoats in neutral hues and intriguing textures.
• Dressy coat: For all your holiday parties, galas, festive dinners, religious festivities and the like.
Think: voluminous, fashion- forward coats in luxurious, textured fabrics and gorgeous colours.
• Weekend coat: A jacket that you can kick around in all weekend. You’ll want something short enough to make it easy to get in and out of the car, sporty enough for jeans, roomy enough to go over a bulky sweater and dressy enough to go to the movies or dinner out.
Think: A pea coat, motorcycle jacket or a short puffer jacket or vest, either in a seasonal colour or trendy plaid.
• Weatherproof coat: For walking the dog, walking the seawall or snowshoeing on Seymour, even in rain, snow, wind or winter storms.
Think: Technical jackets in advanced waterproof but breathable fabrics, with stormproof features, as well as sportspecific jackets.