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Coats and Jackets always take centre stage during Autumn/ Winter and quite rightly so, it’s the thing that protects us from the harsh British weather which is why we’re always more than happy to invest in them. There’s such a mix of silhouettes when it comes to outerwear whether it’s tailored, cropped, over sized or quilted they all have their own purpose, and a place or time for it. We’ve had some pretty hardcore winters (for Britain anyway) in the past few years so it seems that this was considered during the trend forecasting for the season, with the rise in thicker and more sustainable jackets and coats for AW13, we know we’re going to stay warm and dry. Now it’s just a case of picking a style….
Inspiration has come from the great outdoors and the big coats that are needed for such extreme conditions. Instead of sticking to the usual woollen overcoats, which aren’t much use when it starts to snow and rain, it’s now all about the explorer trend where you’ll see the likes of the perennial parka, the bulky bomber and the feather filled performance wear. If we split these up according to weather type you can see how these 3 jackets are going to see you through the snow, rain and sleet which is still yet to come. The Parka which has grown in popularity since it was worn so frequently by Liam Gallagher back in the late 90s and continued to rise even after Brit Pop faed away, with the likes of style icons David Beckham and Kanye West favouring this casual jacket. The jacket we’re seeing now is actually a combination of the Parka which is actually a knee length coat which is worn in particularly cold weather and stuffed with goose down, and the Anorak which is a longer waterproof jacket which does much to keep you warm. This funny little mix is a great piece for this time of year when it’s not freezing cold outside but it’s still warrants a decent jacket, that is unless you get the jacket which is more Parka than Anorak and find it may be a little bit to bulky for this weather.
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Speaking of bulky, the big bomber is back in town this winter and it’s dominating the men’s outerwear department. Every brand has translated this silhouette in different ways, you have Ralph Lauren mixing their country gentleman look with Explorer to create a piece that isn’t the typical heritage jacket but still uses the lovely earthy colours of olive, navy and brown. Penfield are going wild with statement prints of polka dots and camouflage, really showing off the statement patterns and colours which are huge on the catwalk for AW13. Then finally Stone Island has work their wonders by incorporating the epic fabric innovation which they are renowned for and place them over a simple down filled bomber jacket creating an incredible statement piece. With the winter bomber jacket (AKA The Puffer) you’re guaranteed warmth from the snow and wind, and the added bonus that it comes in such a wide range of patterns, fabrics and colours this year making it a winner all around. This is the type of jacket will be worn to death and it’s a style which seems to fit comfortably with a pair of jeans and a jumper but sits well with a smart pair of trousers and shirt (look to Ralph Lauren for inspiration on this look, they have it perfected).
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Beyond the parkas and the bombers sits performance wear, these are the pieces which have been specifically designed for those who spend a lot of time outdoors and are created with the elements in mind. If you’re someone who either lives in the country or someone who is fan of sportswear, this is probably the best jacket for you as it brings the simplicity of sportswear design with the innovation of performance wear to create a really nice piece. Those Canadians are probably the best when it comes designing outerwear, and it’s Canada Goose we’ve taken a shine to with all their incredible fabric technology making jackets which do their job and don’t make you look like the Michellin man. Pieces which are lightweight and not too bulky are ideal for our weather, with waterproof shells and Goose down for insulation they’re pretty much the perfect combination in a winter jacket. And it looks great in red…
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Don’t get me wrong there’s other outerwear besides the above but it’s these three that are really prominent this year. Obviously for a smarter occasion there’s the traditional tailored overcoat, a piece which is timeless but not so great when it comes to protecting you from the wet and not ideal if you’re spending a lot of time outdoors. Personally I think it’s best to have a little bit of everything because you never know what it’s going to be like tomorrow let alone next month…. Winter coats and jackets can really conceal the amazing outfits you’ve got underneath, sometimes making you wonder why you put some much effort in but at the end of the day you have to remember that outerwear can speak for itself so why not focus on a really incredible piece which will work wonders for your style.