Check your coat: this winter’s most popular outerwear
Photos: Neil Mackenzie Matthews
Call it a return to the classics but I’m seeing a lot of checked wool jackets and coats around town. Often worn with a waft of insouciant French Chic – think Coco Chanel: the Duke of Westminster years, or my latest style icon Charlotte Husson founder and artistic director of the Parisian label Mister K. The plaid cover-up is a traditional design, so avoid looking too buttoned up by keeping the rest of the outfit understated. A good overcoat in a fabulous fabric not only protects, but can pull together the most casual of outfits.
The winter coat is the most-hard-working piece in your wardrobe and opting for a classic checked fabric is guaranteed to bring longevity, and garner compliments. And, with its variety of incarnations – plaid, dogtooth, tartan, Prince of Wales – there is a check for every taste. This season traditional, grunge and oversized designs are all over the outerwear department. The one I’m wearing here is Bromley check trench from Hobbs. With it’s seventies-inspired lapels, gentlewomanly fit, tie belt and nutty brown, heritage check I feel ‘just smart enough’. It also plays well with my favourite new colour pairing – conker and navy.
If you normally stick to plain coats, I promise you that a check can be just as versatile. It may also offer a more playful approach to drab winter dressing. Opt for a style with a neutral base colour such as a warm camel or navy, if that sounds a bit boring try a multi-coloured check; both offer more styling options and will mix-and-match with the clothes you already own.
Jaeger always does outerwear well and I’m really into this reversible style with a detachable scarf which is like a souped-up car coat from the late 1960s. Colour is always on the menu at Boden, with chequered styles in green and pink or yellow and brown. As I’ve said before, having a snazzy, brightly-coloured coat is a sartorial trump-card when an everyday outfit is in need of a lift.
If, however, you’re a self-confessed colourphobe, try this winning monochrome houndstooth style from Hobbs. The MaxMara vibes make it ideal for those who hate fussy collars or belt-ties, too. Go big with a cool, jumbo-houndstooth as found over at All Saints and Benetton. And if your budget is under £100, I keep checking out this warm padded coat from the Uniqlo C collection (now reduced; available in grey check and beige check), an absolute style steal.
Check your coat:
That’s Not My Age is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
STYLE NOTES
Bromley check trench on loan from Hobbs. My linen scarf is approx five years old from 45R. The & Wiser sweatshirt is from my collaboration with Dandy Stars. The jeans are second-hand APC, similar still available HERE. Leather loafers from Dune London.
SUBSCRIBE TO THAT’S NOT MY AGE
If you’ve enjoyed reading this feature, please consider becoming a That’s Not My Age subscriber. Those who have signed-up are supporting That’s Not My Age in its entirety. Every subscription is valuable for the future of this site and will go towards creating engaging content to inspire and empower women of all ages. More details of membership benefits (style features, newsletters and lovely giveaways) HERE.
Thank you so much. Your contribution is crucial.
Discussion (6 Comments)
That’s such a coincidence Debs, we were in Lewisham at the weekend and I commented on how much it’s changed since I first moved to London in the 1980s. Chiesmans is where I bought a ‘music centre’ on HP! I couldn’t remember the name of the store but Mr TNMA has the South London Knowledge ( he was born and brought up here).
And yes, I have a decent selection of coats, too. Currently trying to find the button that came off my 1950s faux fur/ teddy coat, last year. I put it in a safe place. I know I did…
Debs C says:
Use the top or bottom button for the gap and get a ‘blingy / interesting’ button for the now missing one, which will look like it was always there.
Dawn Holness says:
Hey Debs,
I can’t resist a nice coat either l have a check double breasted coat from TKmaxx might wear it tomorrow.Dawn H
Mrs Tonia says:
Terrific selection of plaid winter coats shown here. In addition to plain black smart type of overcoats I’ve always liked and worn checked ones. Because it’s getting a bit chillier I finally put on my big wool checked Prince of Wales coat today. Trench coat cut and adequately ample for layering. When I bought this on an extended stay in Seoul Korea in 2017 I thought it very daring and bold. Yet it’s proved a real keeper. In rain and shine, with jeans and boots or over something smarter. I’ve become more experimental about matching and clashing colour coordinated scarves, knitwear the longer I’ve owned it. Now I can’t imagine why I hesitated. Admittedly it wasn’t the price these things cost for the quality. That said I’ve also got some super inexpensive wrap around style coats from Zara, light grey and H and M in camel recycled wool mixture. On sale, the perfect cocooning coat to throw on over anything.
Thanks again Alyson for showing such attractive cheerful garments to brighten our days.
Leave a Reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
I love a coat and there’s some beauties in the examples above. I was commenting (moaning really) earlier this week that it is not cold enough yet (and far too wet) to get mine out of my wardrobe. I have one checked coat, a cotton mix from an old Boden collection bought on eBay, but the rest are all solid colours and I think I need to confess to having more than I need. All the coats are well loved, looked after and stored well, plus purchased over a long period, with the oldest being 40 year old! In no particular order, I have a Boden bright blue, Boden yellow, Matalan orange (real bargain this one and much commented on), faux black persian wool full length with detachable fur collar from Viyella (my fave I think), fake brown fur which is stupidly warm, Boden blue and white gingham check, M&S funnel neck navy blue (this year’s purchase), red wool duffel (12 years and counting and now back on trend), Burberrys mac (brand new pre-1999 for £10 local charity shop), Boden patterned orange velvet and a few others that I won’t bore you with. There, I’ve said it – My name is Deborah and I have a coat problem. I think it started when I tried on a soft green wool coat, made by Alexon in 1979 and spotted on a rail in Chiesmans, Lewisham, a store long since gone. There was no way I could afford it as a student, but it was just a beautiful colour, straight cut, side pockets, button to the neck, coat. So ever since coats have been a ‘thing’ for me, maybe to replace the one that got away!