Anna Harvey Timeless Style
A lightweight cover-up will help you negotiate the constantly changing weather
Years ago, I made myself what was called a duster coat (a no-fastening easy coat with sleeves) in plain pink cotton and wore it over everything during the changeable days of spring. It was unstructured but smart, and marvellously useful.
The duster coat is everywhere again now; Meghan Markle has brought it back into fashion, wearing one in her engagement pictures and others since. It remains the perfect between-seasons coverup. They are rarely made of simple cotton any more, but the function is the same: to wear over anything and everything, sometimes belted or with a button and at more or less any length, as the season warms up. Going out in jeans, trousers and a shirt or sweater isn’t quite enough to keep one comfortable at this time of year, but add a duster coat over the top and you’re all set for whatever the weather has in store.
You can wear them over dresses and skirts, too, which, when I made my original one all those years ago, is what one wore. I would never have worn trousers to work.
Doing a bit of informal research in west London today, I noticed many women wearing these easy, smart and often colourful cover-ups. Some coats were loosely belted, others worn open. Some were more long jackets. A duster coat means you can refresh your tired winter basics and move seamlessly into your spring wardrobe wearing new items under the same coat. I spotted one example on a passerby and she told me it was from Harris Wharf London, which is new to me. Other brands to look out for are Massimo Dutti and Max Mara, and be sure to have a look online at Matches and The Modist.
An unlined trench coat serves a similar purpose, and not only in the rain. I have a trusty pale cotton Burberry trench that is a very successful between-seasons coat. A longer trench works very well over trousers, as does an easy jacket to mid-thigh. Knee-length coats look good with skirts and dresses of a similar length.
It’s all about proportion, so do look in the mirror when you are shopping – and remember that the height of your heel will also affect the proportion of your outfit.
Over the years, I have relied on all three – the duster, the trench and the knit – but this year I am looking out for a garment that is reminiscent of that duster coat I found so useful all those years ago. Something lightweight, smart, versatile and not too formal. Well done, Meghan, I think you’ve cracked it.
Add a duster coat and you’re all set for whatever the weather has in store