The 50 Best coats and jackets

The time has come to buy a winter cover-up to keep you cosy over the coming months. Emma Akbareian picks the best of the bunch from sporty to super smart

Men – casual:

Barbour

liberty.co.uk, £280

The Skipsea coat is a good investment: Barbour has a welldeserved reputation for its outerwear but this style is more fashion-led than its famed wax jackets.

GAP

gap.co.uk, £79.95

A bomber jacket may be, for some, an unwelcome reminder of bad Eighties fashion, but they’ve enjoyed a revival in recent times and with rather more finesse.

Primark

0118 960 6300, £35

Menswear hasn’t quite enjoyed the same success as womenswear at this retailer. But a perusal of the gents’ section can result in great finds, such as this khaki cagoule.

Levi’s

levi.com, £165

Levi’s expertise might be in jeans but, as this style proves, its coats are worth an inspection, too. This windbreaker is a great everyday option. The fabric mix of cord and canvas makes for a classic design.

TU at Sainsbury’s

0800 636 262, £30

Camouflage may indeed be the traditional garb of the armed forces, but it is also a big trend for the new season. Team this jacket with jeans or chinos and march into winter in style.

Men – smart:

Acne

thecorner.com, £800

This style comes from the autumn/winter collection by the designer label. The oversized cut is a big trend for the season and a practical choice for evening wear.

Oliver Spencer

liberty.co.uk, £435

Double-breasted coats are always a smart choice when it comes to more formal occasions, and you can be safe in the knowledge this one will remain stylish for many years to come.

Shore Leave

urbanoutfitters.co.uk, £110

There is no easier way to ruin a dapper outfit then with a casual coat slung over the top. But never fear, this style from Shore Leave is a value-for-money option for outerwear.

Sisley

020 7647 4200, £165

Longer-length styles like this belted coat work well on those blessed with longer limbs. This sleek design also delivers a rather unusual and very dark shade of khaki.

Topman

topman.com, £90

This belted trench coat is an ideal purchase for winter, as it comes in a thick wool mix rather than the lightweight fabric from which the garment is traditionally constructed.

Men – bright:

French Connection

frenchconnection.com, £150

If bright and bold is your style motto then this quilted jacket could be for you. It comes in a canary-yellow shade but the lively colour is balanced by its classic cut: a fashion forward Barbour-esque design.

Marks & Spencer

marksandspencer.com, £69

Avid hikers looking for a practical purchase that will prove useful on winter walks should look to this. Part of the M&S Stormwear line, it uses technology that makes it both water-resistant and stain proof.

New Look

newlook.com, £49.99

If you like whooshing down snow-covered mountains, take inspiration from winter sportswear for a straight-from-the-slopes type vibe. This hooded style has a definite ski-wear feel to it.

River Island

riverisland.com, £85

You can’t get more traditional than a duffle coat. This particular version comes in a tomato shade of red that brings an element of modernity to an otherwise inherently classic design.

Saint Laurent

brownsfashion.com, £845

This check jacket comes from Hedi Slimane’s autumn/winter collection. On the runway, it was shown with ribbed pants and an oversized jumper. Or you could just team it with jeans and a T-shirt. Your call.

Men – retro:

H.E. by Mango

mango.com, £129.99

The trench dates back to the early 20th century, when it was worn by British Army officers. A hundred years on and it is still a wardrobe staple with serious style credentials.

Kent and Curwen

kentandcurwen.co.uk, £571

This label began in the 1920s, creating college ties, before moving to sportswear for cricket and polo teams. These days, it creates ready-to-wear collections with a retro twist.

Lacoste Live

lacoste.com, £125

The flight jacket is a modern classic, thanks largely to Burberry Prorsum – deemed responsible for the garment’s revival following a rather aviation-inspired collection.

Macintosh

020 7493 467, £1,032

Testament to the success of Macintosh is our use of the brand name as a generic description for a raincoat. This is the label’s interpretation of the equally classic duffle coat.

Mantaray

debenhams.com, £110

Accounts as to the origin of the pea coat vary; one of the most famous uses, however, was by the US Navy in the 1970s. This version is a more modern and stylish interpretation.

Men – sporty:

Folk

liberty.co.uk, £280

A cagoule like this one is a great purchase for more active occasions. The design, with its poncho cut, is lightweight and roomy, allowing the wearer plenty of movement.

G-Star Raw

g-star.com, £300

Padded coats may not be considered super stylish, but certainly come into their own when the mercury drops. This mid-length version is more flattering than shorter designs

Next

next.co.uk, £45

The traditional American-style sports jacket is the latest retro design to enjoy a resurgence. This high street take on the trend features faux leather sleeves.

Original Penguin

originalpenguin.co.uk, £130

This golden yellow style is known as a “mountain coat”. With its heavy-duty, cottonblend fabric and hood, it’s a fine option in which to enjoy the great outdoors.

Joules

joules.com, £120

Country-inspired styling has had a popular influence in recent years, not least with coats. This one has function and fashion covered and is surprisingly lightweight, too.

Women – casual:

Carven

harrods.com, £710

Carven is a French label swiftly becoming a real go-to for contemporary pieces with a Parisian twist. This one is a variation on the classic tweed blazer with modern updates such as contrast detailing.

Sparkle & Fade

urbanoutfitters.co.uk, £125

Candyfloss pink may not seem like the most appropriate of colours for the winter but, with an array of designers showing pale pink outerwear on the runway, it’s set to be a big trend for the season.

Oasis

oasis-stores.com, £72

If you fell in love with stripes last season and are still feeling reluctant to let them go, then this style is a great buy. Horizontal stripes can be tricky, but this cut will nip you in where you need it.

Marc by Marc Jacobs

harrods.com, £575

A double-breasted wool jacket is hardly ground-breaking in the fashion stakes, but this style from the secondary label by American designer Marc Jacobs is a veritable colour blocking masterpiece.

Warehouse

warehouse.co.uk, £75

As a cold weather cover-up, the cape certainly has its advantages: increased mobility and the ability to layer clothing underneath are a definite boon. There’s also the chic factor to consider.

Women – smart:

Great Plains

greatplains.co.uk, £120

Tweed continues its march in the trend stakes due to ongoing innovations in the fabric. This three-quarter-length coat from Great Plains is a great buy that won’t date.

Negarin

cavan.com, £560

White isn’t the most practical colour in which to invest, so styles such as this are better for evening rather than daily use. If you can keep it pristine, it makes for a spectacular look.

Paper London

paperlondon.com, £545

Team it with a full-length gown and this mint-green coloured coat is a fun option for an evening out, and the pastel hue will keep you bang on trend into the bargain.

Unreal Fur

cavan.com, £195

Humans have been wearing fur since the stone ages, but modern-day technology means you can get all the benefits of this material without any associated cruelty.

Peridot

peridotlondon.co.uk, £580

Investing in a sleek and sophisticated design such as this one is definitely worthwhile. Black is a timeless colour and the classic cut means you’ll enjoy it for years.

Women – bright:

ASOS

asos.com, £85

If you’re tired of fading into the crowd in neutral colours then it’s time to be brave and don a brighter hue. And they don’t come much brighter than this classic design.

Cedric Charlier

thecorner.com, £915

Androgynous styling is a big look for the season and the best way to tap into the trend is with oversized outerwear. The aim is to look as if you’ve borrowed from the boyfriend.

Boutique by Jaeger

jaeger.co.uk, £199

If you thought bright pink was a colour that could only be worn by girls under the age of 10 then think again. A touch of fluorescent can add an element of edge at any age.

Mademoiselle Tara

020 3445 0409, £205

This jacket from Tara Jarmon’s Mademoiselle line is a peachy take on a pastel-pink hue. The bomber-jacket style of its design keeps it from looking too sickly-sweet as well.

Toast

0844 557 5200, £295

Bright colours are a quick and easy way to give an otherwise dull outfit some much-needed va va voom. This coat is a ladylike design that comes in a bright terracotta orange.

Women – retro:

Awear

awear.com, £85

This coat has an oversized faux-fur collar which gives it a definite Seventies feel. It’s ideal for adding a touch of vintage to your wardrobe. Just don’t overdo things by adding a pair of flared trousers.

Star by Julien Macdonald

debenhams.co.uk, £95

Designer togs don’t have to cost a fortune, especially when you can snap them up on the high street. This black-and-white-checked number makes the most of monochrome.

Reiss

reiss.com, £350

Camel coats can be ten a penny in the winter but this particular style is a stand-out piece with real wow factor. It is made from a luxurious wool blend and is impeccably tailored for a fantastic fit.

Supertrash

supertrash.com, £160

Transport yourself to the swinging Sixties with this eggshell-blue design. With a trademark short collar, decorative buttons and an A-line shape, it’s flattering as well as being fashionable.

Zara

zara.com, £79.99

High-street store Zara is renowned for its constantly updated stream of fashion-forward designs. This particular coat is a heritage-inspired mix of colours in an up-to-date, dressing-gown type style.

Women – sporty:

APC

avenue32.com, £445

French label APC has been steadily building a fan base of dedicated customers since its launch back in the Eighties. This parka-style number has a cosy, fleece-lined hood.

Vanessa Bruno Athé

urbanoutfitters.co.uk, £620

For your very own dose of Parisian je ne sais quoi, try this coat from the French designer’s diffusion line. The chic contrast-pocket number will put a spring in your step.

Canada Goose

brownsfashion.com, £650

When an ordinary coat is just no match for the cold then look to technical wear from lux labels such as Canada Goose. This snuggly jacket is made from the finest duck down.

Calvin Klein

calvinklein.com, £249

Technical wear designed for sports has crossed into the mainstream. This jacket will see you through a winter hike and the bomber shape makes it great for everyday as well.

Whistles

whistles.co.uk, £850

This aviator-style design takes inspiration from vintage flying jackets. The colour and length make it a statement wardrobe piece while the soft suede will keep you warm and toasty.