Outerwear could well be the most important part of your wardrobe. There’s no other garment that does quite as much to transform a look as a coat or jacket – outerwear is armour, both aesthetically and functionally. And because it takes up most of your outfit’s real estate, it has the potential to either make or break it.

That’s why it pays to keep an eye on outerwear trends during winter coat season. While it’s never a good idea to base your entire look around the season’s latest trends, it doesn’t hurt to nod to them with a garment here or there, and what better way to get involved than with the most visible part of your look?

From specific fabrics and patterns, to fit and coat styles, there are plenty of outerwear trends to lean into this winter that will remain in style for years to come.

Oversized Overcoats

Oversized outerwear has been doing the rounds for the past few seasons, and is unlikely to disappear any time soon. Apart from anything else, it’s incredibly comfortable and layers well, making it ideal for wintertime. The cut, of course, tends to be purposefully boxy, with dropped shoulders and a roomy middle that will easily accommodate multiple layers underneath.

AllSaints

How To Wear It

Oversized outerwear tends to fall on the more casual end of the spectrum, and naturally pairs well with laid back staples such as dark denim, workwear and flannel shirting.

We’d advise against wearing oversized coats with traditional tailoring, unless it is equally slouchy and unstructured. You don’t want to look like you’ve pinched your grandad’s coat.

– Charlie Thomas, senior editor

Reimagined Puffers

Growing up (usually while being shoved into an older brother’s grubby, grass-stained coat for school) “it’s what’s on the inside that counts” was just about the most annoying phrase known to man – up there with “elbows off the table” and “you’ll understand when you’re older”.