A good piece of outerwear is like a best friend; it’ll stay with you for years and always have your back. But unlike a best friend, you don’t have to pretend to like a jacket’s girlfriend or pick its kids up from school on occasion. Investing in some quality outerwear will give you an item around which you can build the rest of your autumn/winter wardrobe, and – most importantly – keep you toasty when the temperature starts to drop. Here are five trendproof options worth considering ahead of the cold-weather season.

1. The Parka

First invented by the Inuits, the parka is one of the best means of weathering the colder months. A style staple during peak Brit pop years, this coat has thankfully moved on from being clung to a Gallagher brother and is making a comeback for AW15 in a slightly more refined form. What makes the jacket iconic isn’t just the fact that it’s steeped in history (being a favourite of the 1950s- and 1960s-era mods, too), but also its sheer practicality. Traditionally padded (or at the very least constructed from thick, hard-wearing fabric) with a fur-lined hood, it makes an excellent first line of defence against biting winds and inclement weather. While there are plenty of silhouettes to choose from – from classic military drab options to contemporary sporty versions – we suggest scoping out a versatile fishtail design in a neutral hue such as khaki green, navy or black, which you can team with everything from overshirts and denim to smart-casual getups like an Oxford shirt, jumper and chinos. Alternatively, if your everyday style is more buttoned-up than casual and relaxed, a tailored wool parka makes a great utilitarian alternative to the traditional overcoat, bringing a sense of ruggedness to your nine-to-five attire. Outdoor brands like Canada Goose, Woolrich, Penfield and Nigel Cabourn offer some great down-filled options, whereas British labels Paul Smith and Pretty Green are go-tos for smarter, more streamlined styles.