Say hello to the spring coat
Photo: Claire Pepper for the Daily Telegraph
When personal stylist Rebecca Clouston shared her expert advice on refreshing your wardrobe for spring, her top tip was to banish your winter coat, switch to a lighter jacket or spring coat and bring some colour in. I have previously mentioned the style benefits of creating lots of new outfits for TNMA and the Telegraph – the opportunity to experiment with lovely clothes and try out various colour combinations – though, I do stop myself buying things. Regrets I’ve had a few… but not too many. I am pretty strict when it comes to my wardrobe and there are only a couple of items I wish I’d bought. The beautiful silk shirt from Marimekko last summer teamed with luxury, wide leg track pants from Me+Em. That’s a super-cool outfit I wish had found its way into my wardrobe. And another is this gorgeous blue coat from Harris Wharf (now only available in a couple of sizes), the colour above is from the winter collection and I’m hoping it might make a comeback.
My Withnail & I coat is by the same London brand, several years old now, it has seen me through numerous winters and zero visits to a Cumbrian cottage… The beauty of these lighter weight, unlined, felted wool coats (on cold days, I layer an Arket liner jacket underneath) is their ease and simplicity. Such a straightforward way to whoop up your wardrobe. The joy of a sky blue coat and thinking of warmer weather ahead. As I’m discovering, colour can make you happy.
STYLE NOTES
Coat as above. Patterned shirt from Lisou . The leather bag is from Mimi Berry. Hoop earrings are Monica Vinader. White Chelsea boots from Dune London. Jeans are my own, all other items loaned and returned.
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Discussion (7 Comments)
darby callahan says:
I love the look of Spring coats but here in New York there are too few days that one would work. yesterday for example I was so cold even in my down Winter coat in the blustery late April weather. And May by contract often sees temps in the the 80’s and even 90’s. really nice out though.
Deb C says:
That’s a good look for you and I have a coat in that same colour and very similar style, from Boden some years ago now, which is one of my favourites. I’ve got a few bright coats, alongside a variety of colours of denim jackets (I often dye them to fill a colour gap) and they really do make an outfit, and I think brighten a mood. They work brilliantly with a brooch too. Hubster is a fan, as it means he can find me in a crowd, wearing the brightest coat amongst a sea of black puffer jackets!
Fliss says:
Today (in London) is he perfect day for a Spring coat but they are impossible to find. Most of your recommendations are not available in my size. The blue Harris Wharf is beautiful and I love the lisou blouse too – but sadly geometric print blouses are as hard to find as a good Spring coat. So many makers of clothes but it’s still difficult to fill the clothes gaps when they’re needed.
It is the perfect day for a spring coat – and layers! Unfortunately, I think by this point in the season, with small brands like Harris Wharf and Lisou, a lot of the sizes have gone. La Double J are great for striking, geometric prints (but very expensive) and Boden is worth a look.
Julia says:
I have a beautiful fuchsia felted wool collarless coat that I scored at Goodwill a few years ago, a bright pink london fog trench purchased new, and a chartreuse cashmere light coat also from Goodwill. I also have a black puffer jacket! Alas, I’m in Oregon where the window for the light coat is brief. Thanks for the reminder. I will have to wear one of them to an appointment I have this afternoon! Any excuse to create an outfit..
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Charming outfit shown here Alyson. The patterned shirt and blue coat look so good together.
I’ve got a chartreuse coat I’ve been wearing on brighter days and a sunflower yellow trench coat. Both can be worn with denim, lighter coloured knitwear. If not bright coats with layers including Uniqlo light down underneath colourful accessories, red handbags, coloured footwear can also brighten up basic neutral pieces of clothing.
I shall be experimenting this spring creating new combinations of things in the wardrobe.