As torn as I am at the thought of our long summer finally coming to an end, I am looking forward to being able to pull my winter coat collection out of hibernation. If I’m being honest, it’s mostly so I can start getting some serious wear out of this gorgeous cashmere coat from Mute by JL (c/o) – which has been giving me major feels since it arrived last month.
Wearing H&M sweater (similar here and I like this lighter grey option), H&M skirt (luxe midi skirt option), c/o Mute by JL cashmere coat, Sam Edelman loafers (similar style), Cuyana tote bag
This look might be all about the coat, but I thought I’d touch a little on the details before jumping into this post. I recently dropped into H&M to have a bit of a browse, and found myself leaving the store a bag heavier (and my wallet a little lighter!). I’ve been on a major blitz for oversized winter knits, and this charcoal mock neck sweater ticked all the boxes. Slightly bell sleeves, a high neckline, and a boxy fit through the body; it’s a bonus that it’s super snuggly too. I also snapped up a second sweater, in a vibrant tomato red, in addition to the beige paper bag waist skirt I’m wearing above (I also really like this one). You’re probably sick of me laboring the point, but for shoes I stuck to my resolve of wearing flats more often, and went for my black leather loafers. These are a great dupe for the Gucci Jordaan loafers (I’ve shared a whole post on the best designer dupes here); they’re well made, comfortable, and they look really smart – something I think is down to the gold buckle detail across the foot.
But back to the coat… Pinterest tends to be a huge source of inspiration for me when mapping out my wardrobe for the season ahead, and one thing that I quickly picked up on this season was that a well cut coat was a style hero I really wanted to focus on.
Cashmere is king
One way to seriously up the style stakes for your winter coat-drobe is to go for a luxe fabric like cashmere. The one I’m wearing from Mute by JL is 100% cashmere, which makes it feel a lot more luxurious than the other coats I own. What’s impressive is that despite it not being lined, the coat is made of a double faced cashmere which yields three times the insulation of sheep wool, which means that it’s not only super warm, but also very lightweight too.
Black isn’t the only neutral
I’ve been known to play it safe when it comes to my style – basic is best… right? So, it’s only natural that my winter wardrobe has been firmly stuck in ‘neutral territory’ for years now, and my general fall back during the colder months is to reach for all black e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g. Inspired a lot by my recent penchant for lighter-toned neturals, I’ve come to quickly realise that I’ve had on some serious blinders, which were a defining factor for my winter style.
Deciding to take on a few style risks this year has really helped to open up my eyes, and made me realise that black is not the only neutral. When it came to mapping out my autumn/winter wardrobe, one of the key pieces I knew I was missing was a classic camel coat. What I love about this one is that it feels a little old Hollywood glam, with the midi length and wrap detail at the waist, but with a modern twist. The dropped shoulders with tapered sleeves are an interesting design detail, and I like that the belt is rouched in at the back. It creates a bit of shape and sets it apart from any other styles I’ve seen.
I think what I’m most excited by, is that the colour has helped to stretch some of my style boundaries. I love that the addition of this coat not only breaks up an all black look, but also adds warmth to some of my lighter coloured outfits. Safe to say, I can’t wait to have this coat on repeat this winter.
Quality over quantity
We all know that I have champagne taste on a beer budget, but one wardrobe staple that I think is absolutely worth splashing out on is a quality winter coat. Even in Wellington when I would often reach for a coat at the height of summer, I’d usually only have one on rotation. If it’s well-crafted, of quality materials, and in a classic style, it’s not going to date, and in my experience I’ve found the initial investment (or splurge, depending on how you like to look at it) is worth it, every. single. time.
To really push the point home, I also wanted to give a quick shout out to this equally as classic winter coat from Stella McCartney (also here in black), which I bought a couple months back as a 30th birthday treat. It might be a little more expensive than something you’ll find on the high street at places like Topshop, ASOS, or on The Iconic, but the quality of the materials, the attention to detail, and the craftmanship justifies the price tag in my eyes, and I know it’s a winter coat that’s going to be a staple piece in my winter collection that I’ll be reaching for in years to come.
What are your thoughts on investing in a quality coat for winter?
