Snazzy spring coats and where to find them
Photo: Neil Mackenzie Mathews
Spring in London reveals every type of dresser: The Optimist already wearing a bright sun dress and Birkenstocks in the local pub garden (until the sun goes down), The Pessimist sticking steadfastly to a black puffer coat and chunky boots and sweltering on the Tube, and The Inbetweener, layering up while revealing bare ankles and an unbuttoned cardigan. You get the picture. Dressing for the ever-so-slightly warmer month of April takes some adjustment. I haven’t packed the cashmere sweaters away just yet, so I must be an Inbetweener (hopefully with better dance moves). It’s a savvy dresser indeed who gets trans-seasonal dressing just right.
Aside from Blossom Watch and keeping an eye on the solitary, pregnant goose in our local park; shrugging off a big overcoat and pulling out lighter, brighter pieces is what I enjoy most about this time of year. Admittedly, this vintage leopard, jacquard coat is not overly warm but the cocoon shape makes it perfect for layering. Having a lightweight, snazzy coat is a sartorial trump-card throughout those in-between seasons. Look for a style with a bit of oomph, whether that’s a lovely smattering of leopard spots or a brighter shade, to perk up everyday neutrals.
What’s needed is a snazzy coat that works for both formal and casual occasions, and feels the right side of smart. Running around town, I feel comfortable and confident in these nutty brown shades (sshh…don’t tell Judy Rumbold), they lend a softness to transitional ensembles but it’s the standout coat that really makes this outfit sing.
Spring is an excellent opportunity to review and refine your wardrobe and rediscover forgotten favourites. Are you an optimist, a pessimist or an Inbetweener?
Here are some more snazzy spring coats:
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STYLE NOTES
My leopard print coat is a vintage By Malene Birger (bought at a resale shop several years ago). The cashmere sweater is from my previous Uniqlo collaboration. Second-hand cord trousers from a local charity shop. The suede trainers were a gift from Grenson ( a couple of seasons ago). And my leather tote is a very old Ally Capellino (try Everlane, Madewell and Mimi Berry for similar). Wooden hoop earrings from Branch Jewellery.
Discussion (16 Comments)
Elizabeth Davey says:
Thank you for sharing The Inbetweeners montage. The last clip made me cry laughing! Perfect
bev says:
Absolutely beautiful coats! All of them. As someone who always feels the cold a snazzy spring coat is such a good idea. Now that I am trying to embrace a mix of secondhand items and very, very few ‘spendy’ new things I absolutely love I need to organise myself for next spring to have the funds for a splash out coat! Do people still put money away in an envelope for such things? Forget the Christmas Club I need a Coat Club!!!
Sara says:
That coat, Alyson is just so good. A great look on you and after seeing that, unfortunately none of the others quite match up. C’est la vie, and Sod’s Law. You can afford a touch of smugness for having found a really timeless bargain. Here in the semi frozen north, it’s still a tad hard to be casting clouts, but the idea is spot on, eyes peeled now for a substitute to yours.
Cindy from Canada says:
I love the variety of spring outerwear in the article. I am disappointed not to see any older women modelling the coats (the pictures of more snazzy spring coats). Advertisers must do a better job including older adults in their ads/tv commercials – especially for products/services they buy instead of making them invisible.
Joanna Owens says:
Lovely to see some animal print here. I have a beautiful vintage leopard print ‘nor cosia’ weathercoat that I inherited from someone I cared for. She was 103. She was a very conservative dresser so no idea how she had this. I always feel the beesneeze in it and like to think it was her alter-ego.
Nicola says:
I find the between seasons very challenging to dress for and as I get older I’m less and less tolerant of being either too hot or too cold so I do find myself putting a lot of thought into what I’m wearing at this time of year ( I’m in Australia so it’s Autumn but the same issues as Spring really). Thank heavens we are now allowed to wear trainers with dresses though as that has extended my summer dress season – today I will be wearing a long cotton wafty dress with a cardigan and trainers. And I might take a cashmere pashmina to wrap around my neck for the trip home from work. Temperature ranging today from 10 to 19 degrees and us southerners think 19 is getting cold! Have a lovely week Everyone.
lizzie g says:
i pack away the puffer or heavy wool, and wear a thinner raincoat layer instead. even if its not a showery day i find it’s the best solution to a chilly north or east wind, and easy to carry or pack if the sun says its actually early summer. a bright blue or other colour rain coat helps convince me its not winter too.
Mrs Tonia says:
I was admiring the range of handsome spring coats when I encountered the one from Anthropologie a bought weeks ago. It’s olive brocade on ecru ground. Heavy cotton lined. Just the perfect spring coat. I have yet to wear it because it’s not been warm enough. I have all the shoes, boots and trousers to wear with it. As you write Alyson we long to slough off winter colours and bulky layers. Switch the colour schemes and weight of our clothing. I write this on May Day in the evening. Hopefully these colourful lighter garments can be worn soon.
Definitely an Inbetweener here too! It’s been a late, slow spring here on the Canadian prairie. I finally switched my closet from winter clothes to spring/summer ones today. Hope that doesn’t mean that the weather is about to turn cold again!
Debs C says:
Definitely agree that a lively coat lifts an outfit, alongside bringing a nice flourish to the rest of your clothing choice that day. The Hubster rarely loses me in a crowd, as I am often the only one wearing a brightly coloured jacket or coat in a sea of black puffa / padded versions. I wonder if age and confidence means we move away from a clothing tribe and look for clothing that brings us joy and not hides us in a crowd.
Maisie says:
Definitely an inbetweener here, I’ve been throwing a stone -coloured mac over layers as we are having an unusually wet and chilly spring here in Greece. I wish my budget would run to one of those Anthropologie coats , they are fabulous !
Wanda says:
I’m definitely an Inbetweener! I hate being cold, but want to change up the wardrobe.
Your coat is amazing! I love brown, but find it hard to come by!
Great outfit! Thank you for the inspiration and commiseration on the slow season change.Wonderful – where’s the coat which you’re wearing in the intro photos from please? (Apologies if you mention it).
Thanks Carol – my leopard print coat is a vintage By Malene Birger (bought at a resale shop several years ago).
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Smashing little outfit Alyson. I’d like to be an inbetweener but fear of being cold makes me a pessimist. If I’m out in the car I often take a choice of coats so that I can inbetween without fear! Love the trainers, and the pea green coat from LK Bennett caught my eye. Roll on spring….up here in North Yorkshire it seems a long time coming. Jane