Winter is, on most counts, rubbish. But everything rubbish about it – the cold, the dark, the wet – presents one big bonus: you get to wear big coats again. The right coat is an outfit in itself, a piece that combines practicality and style like nothing else in your wardrobe.

They’re also fairly impervious to trends. Which means even an infrequent shopper can stealthily build a high-quality collection – from parkas to heritage shearling jackets – over a few years. If, that is, you buy right.

“Look for something that’s good quality, stylish and versatile,” says Nick Eley, head of design at ASOS. “You want something that’s going to last as well as look good. Because you’re going to be wearing it a lot, you need it to work with the other clothes in your wardrobe.”

Style is, of course, a consideration. But not at the expense of comfort. No man ever looked good shivering. “The most important thing to look for in a winter coat is something that will keep you warm and dry,” says Freddie Kemp, stylist at Thread. “In an ideal world you’d have a collection of all the styles here, as each serves a different practical and style purpose.”

Parka Jacket

This Inuit original became globally renowned in the 1950s as a US Army staple, adopting its famed green colour and fur lining. During the Korean War, the lighter fishtail parka evolved for tropical climates, then became a favourite for mods, who would sling one over their suits to stay protected on their scooters. As with anything military, it’s now become a modern wardrobe staple.

Menswear labels are increasingly taking lessons from outdoor brands that specialise in technical fabrics, so this season’s parkas are as big on functionality as they are on style.

“A high level of water resistance is good,” says Kemp. “Don’t shy away from man-made technical fabrics as they tend to be better than natural fabrics for guarding against the elements. If you want added warmth, look for one that has a down filling.