Autumn is here, much to my dismay. I am cheering myself up by pondering winter coats. Those that know me will know that I have a teeeeensie coat obsession…to the tune of twenty-odd of the things. Still though, I think I can justify perhaps a fresh one this season. Well, you know, fresh city, it just seems fair!
Giles AW11
Chloe AW11
Giles and Chloe rocking Gestapo chic, DELISH
So this is what I have been thinking….I am in the mood for something functional yet stylish, something that screams – I AM A DESIGNER, living in LONDON. haha. Seriously though, I’m only half joking. I want an oversize, anti-fashion, functional thing. I really like when garments go beyond fashion to become pure design, the beauty is in the simplicity, the lack of superfluous embellishment. A pocket where you need a pocket, just the right amount of warmth, a neutral colour that works with everything, the works. As much as it is boringly on trend, I am really crushing on Barbour at the moment, if just from a quality perspective. The high street is flooded with imitators, but only the original is as warm as it is stylish….I just can’t decide which one I want more!
Barbour Beadnell
Barbour xLiberty Beadnell
Barbour National Trials
Living in Dublin, London, anywhwere similar, means that for basically half the year, the most important garment you have is your coat. Because you need to wear one almost all the time. The most well thought out outfits have come undone by forgetting to incorporate the coat. And given that I am the whatever-is-closest-and-cleanest kind of dresser, getting a coat that says the right thing without having to figure out in-depth outfit plans is a major bonus.
Simone Rocha AW11
Celine AW11
Antonio Berardi AW11
Philip Lim AW11
Alexander Wang AW11
Contrasting textures & colours for added interest
I have been on the hunt for the perfect parka for roughly two years now. I have had terrible luck, because I didn’t want to pay loads of money, because in my head a parka is a casual thing, and casual things should be cheeep. But the high street ones are useless quality, flimsy and just not even worth the more reasonable price tags. Furthermore, the shape needs to be just right, long enough but not too long, utilitarian, just the right amount of oversize and straight.
Turns out I have been a FOOL, because I have found a bucketload of them on the interweb from army surplus style sites. Why I didn’t head straight there is beyond me, but now all I have to do is decide which of these babies is just right.
Aquascutum AW11
Dress Monster via Asos
Won Hundred
Swedish Military Parka
Or maybe a Duffel Coat? Maybe?
Burberry AW11
Christopher Raeburn via Brownsfashion.com
Barbour
I LOVE this colour!
Celine AW11
and the highstreet version…
Topshop
And finally, it’s not practical, nor affordable, but if someone wants to buy me this, I’ll love you forever…
Alexander Wang AW11
