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Inject some Spring into your wardrobe with a new jacket

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OH YES I do love a jacket. And a coat. And a shacket. Oh and now an overshirt. Which is kind of a jacket if you layer it up over things or under your coat. Confused yet?

An overshirt has been something I have been getting men to wear for the past couple of seasons, but this lightweight jacket trend seems to of moved over to women’s high street retailers and is perfect for your first Spring purchase. Nearing to the end of January, the longest month ever, means a little payday reward and a new January Jacket will set you up for the coming weeks and months through Spring.

Here are my top 5 Spring jackets to shop for now -

Check jacket

Nice big bright checks, overshirt trucker style jacket with a collar or without will work over everything you currently have in your wardrobe and give it a fresh update.

Overshirt jackets

This is the trend I keep seeing everywhere right now, it’s just about finding the right one in the right colour. Essentially the same as the checks but in plain colours and oversized.

Quilted linear jackets

These are starting to have their moment where the puffa has been so big this Autumn the paired down, slightly more interesting version is out there. Take your pick of great shapes and colours for a new spin on a puffa.

Rain Mac

Come on we all need one of these in our life to save us from the crazy UK weather, isn’t it about time we invest properly in something that we also feel stylish in.

Boxy Jacket

This is the same trend as the overshirt but instead of being oversized it’s more of a fitted silhouette but still is the same shape.

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Edits style clinic - trans seasonal jackets

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Like most of the females I know, I am so over wearing my parka, my puffa, my pea coat and anything else that covers me up from the impending doom of cold, frost and snow. I can’t stand the sight of my winter stuff any more, but it’s too cold not to wear it. The massive coat that felt fabulously cosy back in January now feels bulky and tiresome, my chunky jumpers almost suffocating and let’s not even get started on the expanding collection of knitted scarves and hats. 

I AM READY FOR SPRING DRESSING!

But trans seasonal dressing can be tricky with the constantly changing weather so my advice is to invest in a transitional coat or jacket. This piece will give your Spring wardrobe the newness it needs without buying lots of items to make up an outfit and it is something you are no doubt going to get lots of wear out of. Layering can be key to these jackets, whether it be still layering knitwear underneath them or a smaller jacket underneath or even a knitted scarf over the top.

Follow my pinterest board for more inspiration - trans seasonal jackets 2018

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In fashion we like to look to the future, so here's to dreaming about warmer weather, sunnier days a sporting a fab new coloured trench down to the shops. There is plenty to inspire you, here are my trans seasonal jacket style inspiration and shopping highlights.

1. The trench

2. The blazer

Blazers were the 2017 trend that no one saw coming. After all, the tried-and-true wardrobe staple is the key to professional power dressing for so many women, so how could it be deemed “trendy”? But, in fact, we saw the staple jacket in checkered prints all over the street during fashion month, with countless iterations following suit. The trend looks to continue but if you wanted an updated look then be inspired but vibrant colours, structured styles and luxe fabrics.

3. The anorak

Just as we dare to think about sunnier days and lunch al fresco, it has started raining again! But it's ok as fashion is ready for the rain, this year the trend has gone practical, welcoming even. Suddenly the high street is full of practical clothes that fit into our daily lives. One such item is the anorak, which is, as it happens, the perfect coat for this time of year. It’s not a piece of clothing that suggests great beauty, I grant you that, but the current offering from the likes of Zara, Topshop and Mango are actually pretty great. 

4. The duster coat

The duster coat is everywhere again now, Meghan Markle has been champoining the trend since her engagement photos and brought it back into the fashion front row. It remains the perfect between seasons cover-up, wear over anything and everything. Sometimes belted or with a button and at more or less any length, whatever the weather has in store. These are easy, smart and often colourful cover-ups, the perfect wardrobe refresh to move seamlessly into Spring wearing.

5. The bomber

The bomber jacket has been around for a couple of seasons now, but it is here to stay. This season it's gone feminine, printed florals, embroideries and embellishments, the perfect Spring piece to elevate the darker pieces in your wardrobe such as black, navy, grey and khaki. They are also the perfect day to evening jacket to be thrown over a dress or jumpsuit with a cold glass of Rosa wine.

6. Anything check

A favourite from Autumn is still going to be going strong in Spring. The check jacket has now become a wardrobe staple serving to upgrade basic outfits such as tee's and jeans, sweaters and trousers, blouses and skirts. So if you don't have a check blazer by now then now is the time to get one.

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The big coat edit

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The clocks have gone back, the nights are darker and it's finally getting chillier! It's not all bad news though as you can now wear your winter coat, scarf and hat and style out the Winter months confidently. The other good news is that there is loads of sales on at the moment so it is the perfect time to buy a new Winter coat for the season.

Coats are a weakness of mine and a good coat can update your style very easily. In the northern hemisphere it also, sadly, happens to be the piece you will end up wearing most from October to March. So with that in mind, it is really important you spend time thinking about what you really need and want out of your coat. Practically speaking, there are two main issues that need to be considered when buying a new coat: one, as this is a big wardrobe purchase (possibly the biggest of the entire year), it has got to be spot on. I’m talking goes with everything, fits like a dream, is warm but not bulky and, importantly, looks a knockout. The second is getting all of that without spending the sort of money that would buy you a small car. Style speaking, think about colour, shape, trend and remember one size does not fit all - you're leopard print fur coat might be someone else's poison!

So to help you here is my AW17 winter coat edit with 5 new season's styles to pick from, including discounts where I could get them! Buy now and you will love wearing it everytime you put it on.

Follow my pinterest board for more coats inspiration - 2017 Coats Style

1. CHECKED COAT

If there is one coat that sums up the season, it’s the double-breasted, checked, tailored style. A smash hit among fashion editors at Paris Fashion Week, this is all about 2017 power dressing. Try Whistles or Zara for crombie check coats or French Connection for smaller checks. This large check coat from Marks and Spencer currently has 20% off if you have a Sparks card.

 

2. RED COAT

Red is the fashionable colour of choice this Autumn and I would suggest that a fabulous coat is one of the easiest ways to wear it. Check out M&S and Jigsaw (its signature wool “Grace” coat is pricey, but something you’d have for ever).  Fantastic for chucking over jeans or a grey jumper, as famous fashion designer Bill Blass once said, “When in doubt, wear red.” This Mango masculine coat is currently in the mid season sale for £39.99 - what a bargin!

 

3. STATEMENT COAT

The beauty of a statement coat is that you can be wearing any old tat underneath it and no one would know. If your coat smiles, the rest of the world smiles along with you. And for this reason, this season’s panache for bold, jazzy coats is great news. If you’re not into the aforementioned red, then have a go at pink (this pink one form Boden has 25% off with code - DW33X4L4), green or colbalt blue. Or there’s my personal favourite, leopard print, always a great statement.

Suki British tweed coat, Boden £250.00 - get 25% off with code - DW33X4L4

Suki British tweed coat, Boden £250.00 - get 25% off with code - DW33X4L4

4. TEDDY COAT OR FUR COAT

My vote for comfort coat of the season goes to the bouclé slouch coat, aka “The Teddy”. Knobbly, bobbly and oh so cosy, this has a whiff of the 1960s, but has a very new-season nod to texture. Fur has also made a triumphant season return with this season seeing it being bolder than ever. Fun, colourful and not traditionally classic, faux fur is a great eveningwear alternative that will add a little wow factor to the plainest of looks. Check out Topshop and Zara for their Teddy coat's and Mango for some fun colourful furs. This tabacco number from Warehouse looks very appealing and has currently 30% off it online.

 

5. THE POSH PUFFER

The coat that defined 2016. Although puffer coats might not be quite as significant as this time last year, they are sticking around and for good reason – they are incredibly toasty. If you’re worried about looking like the Michelin Man, then check out Whistles forest green velvet puffer, which is easy on the puff-factor, but still fabulously warm. Currently is on discount on House of Fraser, from £159.00 to £127.20. Or REALLY stand out of a crowd with this metallic gold puffer jacket from &other stories.

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Edits guide to the best coat for your shape

Firstly it's true to say that I am totally obsessed with coats!

As an ex-coat buyer I am full of joy when every winter comes around and I can but yet another new addition to my collection. My wardrobes are unfortunately not getting any bigger whilst my coat collection is slowly getting out of control!!

Not all outerwear is created equal, and if you’ve ever dressed up for an evening out, only to then toss on your everyday puffer coat, then you know what I'm talking about! There are actually tons of options for your winter-wear; an amazing coat can upgrade a less than stellar outfit. At the same time, the wrong coat can ruin a best-dressed list worthy look.

When it comes to outerwear, fit and proportion are everything –  whether it’s a £5000 designer label, or a £50 vintage find, if it's not the right coat for your body shape (paired with the wrong outfit), all you’ll be left with is a big zero! So whilst checking out the trends for this season on coats I also had to ask myself, which coat style would suit my body shape best?

To make things simple, I've separated body shapes into 4 general categories: Apple, Pear, boyish and hourglass. With also some tips for Tall and petite gals too.

Here are my tips so you can rock the right coat for your shape -

APPLE - broad shoulders & narrower hips

Coats that nip in at your waist or are belted will give the illusion of a smaller waist and trim your tummy. Look for coats that have a deep v neck line as this will draw attention up top and distract from the roundness of a fuller figure. The right length coat for an apple should fall right below the waist to mid-thigh and never at the widest part of your hips because it will make your hips look wider. Another tip is to stay away from shoulder pads as you don’t need to accentuate your shoulders further.

PEAR - narrow shoulders, wide hips & thighs

Pear shaped body types tend to have sloped shoulders so coats with shoulder pads will enhance your shoulders and balance them out with your hips. Pear shaped gals should stick with coats that are fitted around the top half and looser around the bottom half. Double breasted coats will draw attention upwards and the fitted styling will give the desired balanced look. Avoid shorter coats that end at your bum as this will draw the eye to your large middle section with a horizontal line.

BOYISH - narrow hips & smaller bust

For women with a small bust size, look for tailored coats with exaggerated collars. A coat that's cropped to mid-thigh and has beautiful little tailored shoulders and big curvy lapels will give you a feminine shape. If you want to give the illusion of wider hips, then wear a coat that flares out from the waist and stops at the hip. Using a belt on your coat will also give the same affect.

HOURGLASS - bust&hips nearly the same size

Fitted, tailored coats will be one of the best choices for an hourglass figure. It's well fitted shape will slim down into the waist and will emphasize your figure beautifully. As an hour glass, you are able to pick any length tailored longer coats especially with belts or small pleated waist detail.

TALL

For Tall shaped gals, I recommend looking for a longer, loose, oversize drop-shoulder or cocoon coat, which works best on a taller frame, whether you're curvy or boyish.

 

PETITE

Petite girls should do the opposite and make sure you avoid the voluminous shapes. A cropped fitted Peacoat is the ultimate shape if you are on the shorter side.

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