A lightweight trench is optimum outerwear for idealists
A GLANCE at the iPhone weather app makes for optimistic viewing with temperatures in the capital set to hit a tropical 14 degrees this week. Watch out Miami. Can we take this as a sign that winter has shared its last drops of sleety rain and packed up its brain-freezing winds for another year? Probably not. But certainly, we can all breathe easy for a moment and allow the prospect of not bundling on a giant coat each time we dare leave the house to percolate for a moment.
As someone who has been longing for a change in season since November (despite a lifelong love affair with giant jumpers I couldn’t get on board with the whole freezing your face off at the bus stop thing this year), I’m welcoming the change in weather with open arms. And while I love a big old winter coat as much as the next woman, I’m invigorated by the prospect of its lightweight spring equivalent.
Despite the conservative title (lightweight spring coat sounds more like the sort of thing your grandma might be lusted over in Robertson Rainwear circa 1987 than hot off the runway wardrobe update), the perfect transitional overcoat is one that brings with it a host of inspiring dressing opportunities. Unlined and easily thrown on over whatever you fancy, a well chosen spring coat suggests liberation from the shackles of winter and brings with it a healthy dose of optimism. And truly, who doesn’t need that?
Conduct a quick audit of the high street and you’ll see outerwear for idealists springing up all over the place, with a trench coat among the star options. At & Other Stories an oversized trench in rust (£110) is flavour of the month while at John Lewis a long-line super-soft trench, available in shades of cornflower blue, mustard and stone, is among the new season stars. Of course, it’s not everyone who takes joy in belting up, and for them other transitional jackets are available. An anorak — seek out neutral shades and oversized styles — is a viable option. Zara has a zip-up style with a pouch pocket which is £19.99 and properly lovely.
For those looking for something more substantial, outdoors-approved labels — see Hunter, Rains, Stutterheim — are worth a look. Stutterheim’s Stockholm jacket is a must-see for those looking for form and function. If none of that appeals I’d suggest turning your focus to colour. A wool coat in an upbeat shade — try sorbet-inspired hues of lemon and candy pink — will provide a much needed hit of spring while keeping your personal central heating turned up high.
You’ll need this when the Beast from The East returns.