The 8 Coats & Jackets I'll Always Have in My Wardrobe
The styles that never date.
As much as I love summer, style-wise you just can’t beat a good coat or jacket. I’m a firm believer that they can transform an outfit and if you’re ever feeling a bit uninspired by your look, you can pop your favourite jacket on top and feel like yourself again in no time.
I’m also a big believer that great outerwear is something you should invest in. These are the pieces that you spend a bit extra on to ensure quality and longevity because look after them well, and you’ll be wearing them for years to come. Some of the coats and jackets I wear most are ones I bought years ago and when I need a new piece of outerwear, I’ll always make sure I opt for quality fabrics, well-made constructions and designs that won’t date. Here are my 8 coats and jackets that I switch between depending on style, occasion and weather.
The Trench Coat
A trench coat will forever be a classic. It’s the perfect outerwear for autumn and spring when you want an outer layer but it’s still a touch too warm for your heavier coats. It helps that the neutral tones you typically find them in - like this one - go with anything and everything.
I included this coat in my Autumn Wish List a few weeks ago and let’s just say it swiftly moved from ‘want’ to ‘wardrobe’. If you’re not familiar with Louisa Charlotte Oates, she’s a British designer who makes everything to order, by hand. Her pieces are oversized with really interesting shapes and details - and this coat is one of them. The sleeves are big and can be easily pushed up to create a different shape, and it comes with a separate belt, should you want to close it up.
The Tailored Black Coat
A slimline tailored coat is always something I turn to when I want to feel smart. I’ve worn it to big meetings, interviews and even as a layer for those cold winter weddings. There’s something about having a bit of structure that makes me feel put together and gives me a bit of an “I mean business” lift. I bought this coat from & Other Stories around 2017 (I think) and still wear it to this day. It gets stored away in summer, hung up in winter and dry cleaned again at the end of the season so it still looks and feels fresh.
The Worker Jacket
A couple of weeks ago, I spoke about my version of a capsule wardrobe and how a worker jacket was one of my ‘essential’ items. It’s my light, casual jacket of choice that I wear a lot during warmer months and as an extra layer under my more oversized coats in winter. They loosen up (and, in my opinion, look better) over time so it really is the kind of piece that you’ll benefit from having in your wardrobe for years. The utilitarian style looks great over relaxed tailoring, like here, a pair of jeans and a tee, and a chunky jumper. I even popped this on top of shorts and a T-shirt in summer.
The Super Warm Blanket Coat
I’m from the north of England and like most places in that part of the world, winters can get cooold. This coat is for the days when the winds are biting, daylight only seems to last a few hours and if I must be outside, I want to try and be as warm as possible. It’s thick and warm like a blanket and I can wrap and tie it right around, keeping as much of the cold out as possible.
I don’t often buy from H&M anymore but I saw this in the premium section a couple of years ago and was really surprised/pleased with the quality. It’s soft, made well and has lasted a couple of winters and still looks brand new.
The Oversized Black Coat
We’ve covered the slim-fitting tailored black coat, now it’s time for the oversized black coat. I love anything oversized so this gets worn a lot during most of the year. It immediately adds shape to an outfit so it’s a great thing to chuck on if you’re ever feeling a bit uninspired by what you’re wearing.
This particular coat is another Louisa Charlotte Oates design I’ve had for about 2.5 years. It’s made from cotton canvas so it works in spring and autumn, as well as winter (with an extra jacket underneath for more warmth).
The Quilted Jacket
This is another jacket that I’ve had for a couple of years and it’s up there with my most-worn items. It’s warm, it goes with everything, and I can stick it in the washing machine. It’s also one of those jackets that can be worn on its own, like here, or underneath another coat, acting as a liner to add extra warmth. Its casual design makes it a great piece for laid-back weekend wear or when I’m out and about on a walk or hike. Quite frankly, I don’t know what I’d do without it.
The Wool Camel Coat
Like a trench coat, a camel-coloured coat is one of those timeless, classic pieces of outerwear that will never date. When they’re long and tailored, like this one, they add sophistication to whatever you’re wearing - whether it’s a smart look for a day at the office or for adding a little ‘oomph’ to casual, loose-fitting trousers and trainers.
The Waxed Cotton Coat
The waxed cotton coat: also a classic. Ever since Barbour made them a must-have, they’ve been gracing the wardrobes of every generation and for good reason. Look after these coats well (i.e. get them re-waxed once a year to keep up their condition) and they’ll last for years and years. They can be a bit stiff at first but once you’ve worn them in, not only do they feel familiar and comfortable to wear, but they’ll keep the cold out quite unlike anything else.
This is the ‘Edel’ waxed cotton jacket from London-based LaneFortyfive. I went for the timeless olive colour but it also comes in blue and yellow. I like that it has a longer length than a classic Barbour jacket, so it’ll keep the tops of my legs warm too. I’ll be wearing this for the rest of autumn, and well into winter.
Any items marked with * have been gifted by brands. All thoughts, picks and reviews are my own.
This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through those links, I’ll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.