Regardless of fashion trends, the best winter coats are those that can be versatile. You want something you can throw on with just about any outfit, safe in the knowledge that it will work, keep you warm and deflect any annoying rain showers too.
Whatever your budget, there is a 2020-approved winter coat for you, so take a look at the must-have styles and see which is most ‘you’.
Sophisticated wool
You don’t need to have an active subscription to Vogue or to immerse yourself in the Whistles reviews on Feefo to know that a tailored wool coat — from a quality retailer — is a seasonless classic that every wardrobe needs. The only thing that changes each year is the colour. We are hearing a lot about bright red and yellow for AW 2020, but you can’t ever go wrong with an understated black, a chic charcoal or even a light heather grey. You have to picture what you are most likely to wear with a tailored coat and that will guide you as to the best neutral for you and your style. Navy can also work well and lends itself to colourful accessories, to tie into the season’s trends.
Big puffers
Puffer coats just keep getting more popular. Once the favourite outerwear of teenagers, they have become a staple for every age group, thanks to the warmth and practicality they offer, as well as the high fashion takes using funky designs. Now, you’ll find as many vegan-friendly alternatives as you will traditional down-filled styles, with more and more retailers looking to trial clever fabrics that offer a sleeker silhouette, without losing any of the thermal innovation. No longer just for walking the dog, a puffer coat is a cold-weather essential and to be bang on-trend you’ll either need to look for one on a neutral blush hue or, at the other end of the spectrum, something holographic.
Faux fur-trimmed
Firstly, let’s not forget that faux fur is the only acceptable trim here. The days of real fur are numbered, with most fashion houses now turning their back on it. Secondly, it’s up to you how much faux fur you wear! Fully lined coats are showing signs of being very popular again in 2020, but so are paired back designs with just a trim on the hood. You don’t need to go too crazy and stick to realistic colours, as the pastel faux fur trend is a little fickle.
Classic trench
If you haven’t treated yourself to the all-time classic winter coat yet, now is the time. A chic belted trench, in a fitted style and with no applique is something that will last you for decades, if you take care of it. Of course, there are a number of colours available, but nothing beats that favourite camel that Burberry has made so synonymous with effortless style and elegance. By all means, invest in a Burberry version as it will never go out of fashion, but for a cheaper alternative, plenty of high street shops release a version every winter.
Cape
Back for another year, cape coats proved so popular in 2019 that new styles have been released, encompassing most of the above features. You’ll find heavy wools, hoods with faux fur and even belted styles all ready to buy and thanks to the free-fitting design, they are ideal for layering under. A firm favourite of the fashion elite, capes aren’t going anywhere.
These are the best winter 2020 coat styles for women, but which will suit you best? It might be time for an at-home try-on session!
