The retail calendar says now is the time to buy a coat. In fact, if you were truly synced up with in store dates you'd actually have already made your seasonal purchase in August…. Not to make you feel inadequate or anything, but that's when many of autumn's key cover ups head onto rails (honestly, we're still in denial too). The keenest early birds wait for no man (to experience the actual climate required to consider that overcoat requirement). Whether you're looking to invest in a significant switch up (hello leather !) or wondering if last year's powder pink still stands up, here is our definitive guide to choosing your new winter essential....
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Big shapes make a big impact
... And leave plenty of space for layering come the polar vortex part trois. We'd wear a giant number like Victoria Beckham's as she's suggested: with a flash of leg andthe new mid-calf boots everyone's going wild for.
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Spin the colour wheel, no one hue rules supreme...
... Once upon a time it was all pink coat or nuttin' but the hues have eased up and you'll find that military green is as coveted as maroon, scarlet as sought after as navy and so on. Pastels are present but we'd suggest sludgy autumnal shades as a nice alternative to your boring black.
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Leather catches up with suede...
... Blame it on the 1980s. Or 2015’s all-out-craziness over everything suede. Classic hides ain’t hiding anywhere this season. Look out for grown-up shapes like The Row’s trench coat – this leather looks is less utilitarian than it has been in the past. If you fancy something more timeless, see our Top 10 AW15 Leather Jacket Picks or you prefer suede over leather, this guide is for you.
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Utility coats are still going strong...
... And as well as great parkas from the likes of Mr and Mrs Furs (who, hurrah, now do faux fur trims!) there's a great deal of quilting action to be found. Jeremy Scott took it to its most extreme iteration at Moschino. Dare you to wear it with the all-terrain OTKs. And for those who need something a little more practical for those inevitable Autumn showers, we've also got you covered with this season's raincoats round up.
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Where exactly would we be without faux fur coats?
... Really, where? From Shrimps' next knockout see her citrus brights above. Mongolian lambswool makes for the biggest fluff bombs, shearling bikers are back (we can't get enough of this particular texture) and it's never been more likely to see designers getting graphic with the soft stuff. Cuddle up with us and these huggable style statements. Even knitwear is making a bid for furriest new fashion faction - see Rachel Comey for the cardigan we'll all want to snuggle into.
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Leopard is good, but maybe zebra is better...
The zoo is expanding: check out Celine's zebra print and Proenza Schouler's a-moo-zing cow patterned ankle grazer. We dare you to wear one with snake print and ocelot mixed into one outfit - the gods of AW15 will smile upon you.
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Cape fear? Calm down dear...
Costume drama or completely casual... the cape takes on many guises this season. OK so they aren't hugely practical for toting a big bag around but they do make quite an entrance. Here's more of this season's seriously covetable capes.
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Heritage tweeds are reborn...
Be lady of the (Michael Kors) manor with nana-ish tailoring, checked outerwear and ruddy cheeks. Or go uptown '70s glamazon, slinging a serious tweed coat over a definitively not-serious see-through dress. These weaves are back on the grid and being worn in the most unexpected ways, so don't feel that you need to stick to the old-fashioned rules (and check out our Top Ten Checked Coats Guide too, while you're at it).
Our Selection of Coats on Trend
1 of 23Loewe Blue Suede Biker Jacket, £2,725.00
An amazing pop of colour for the autumn, this is a great way to switch to the suede camp in one of this seasons' rival trends. selfridges.com See our supreme suede jackets
2 of 23Diesel Parka, £330.00
This is the utility trend with a twist, keeping a fresh update on the trend. selfridges.com
3 of 23Balenciage Camel Coat, £2,010.00
The sharp shoulders mean that it's a statement piece, but the neutral colour means that you can keep it understated. Also, the pink detailing has introduced us to our new fave colour combo. net-a-porter.com See this season's camel coats.
4 of 23Alexander McQueen Cape, £1,695.00
This cape has a romantic feel to it, offering a subtle way to work the heritage trend. selfridges.com See more of our covetable capes.
5 of 23Valentino Leather Jacket, £3,465.00
The jewel hue of this coat is a perfect way to incorporate colour into your winter wardrobe. matchesfashion.com
6 of 23Acne Studios Shearling Moto Coat, £1,837.08
The ultimate statement coat, this shearling number is the way to keep warm while keeping on-trend this season. Just throw on over jeans for effortless chic. stylebop.com
7 of 23Zara Houndstooth Print Cape, £89.99
This is the way to wear a heritage print in one of this season's silhouettes. zara.com See more of our ultimate cape edit.
8 of 23Uterque Leopard Print Parka, £185.00
It may be Zebra print that's taking over, but we can't help but love this leopard print rain mac from scandi superheroes uterque. uterque.com See the best raincoats for tackling the great british weather.
9 of 23Hobbs Suede Coat, £899.00
This is the ultimate 70s style jacket for the season- wrap yourself up and pair with patchwork boots for an ultimate autumnal look. johnlewis.com See more sumptuous Suede
10 of 23Vivetta Faux Fur Coat, £642.00
The colours and pattern of this coat are to die for- with a hint of the 70s it's a perfect trend piece. modaoperani.com
11 of 23Burberry Sandringham Trench, £1,595.00
Why abandon your trench just becuase spring is over? Burberry continue to provide their classic silhouette but in cashmere for the chillier times ahead. burberry.co.uk
12 of 23Coach Shearling Coat, £1,900.00
This amazing shearling coat was featured in our fashion charts we loved it so much. It just looks like the go-to layer when the temperatures plummet. selfridges.com
13 of 23Cos Cool Grey Coat, £175.00
Cos are the kings of minimalism and this coat is no different. But with the strong should it's a great example of a bold shape for this season, with the clean lines making it chic. cosstores.com
14 of 23French Connection Kazan Coat, £76.00
A classic print but with this season's colours, you can work the trend without feeling like a Downton Abbey extra. frenchconnection.com See our selection of checked coats.
15 of 23Givenchy Leather Cape, £3,600.00
Throw this on over a LBD to toughen up any outfit for the evening. net-a-porter.com
Check out our ultimate cape edit
16 of 23Alexander McQueen Leather Jacket, £3,785.00
This leather jacket is an easy way to get some fur into your wardrobe without having it all over. It also means you can wear leather right into the winter with the snuggly inner layer. stylebop.co.uk See our ultimate leather jacket edit.
17 of 23Moncler Charlene Parka, £558.00
The utility trend doesn't mean head-to-toe khaki, and the navy panels on this parka breaks up the colour for a relaxed look. matchesfashion.com Check out our ultimate raincoat edit.
18 of 23& Other Stories Leather Anorak, £245.00
This is an amazing update to your classic leather, meaning you can layer up and keep a minimalist look. stories.com Like this shape? Check out our raincoat edit.
19 of 23Topshop Unique Inverness Leather Jacket, £575.00
Topshop just keep us coming back for more with this beauty of a leather coat, showing how the style has updated with military detailing. topshop.com
20 of 23Weekday Faux Fur Coat, £135.00
The colour of this faux fur coat is perfect for the autumn and from one of our fave scandi brands too! Throw it on to add effortless glamour to your wardrobe. weekday.com
21 of 23Yves Salomon Zebra Print Coat, £1,524.97
Zebra print is the new way to go, and this jacket shows us exactly why- understated and chic, this coat offers a fresh way to do animal print. farfetch.com
22 of 23Won Hundred Faux Fur Coat, £225.00
A bit of blue faux fur is enough to make us go weak at the knees- this coat will will make any outfit just look quite simply cool. trouva.com
23 of 23LF Markey Navy Coat with Wool Sleeves, £554.00
The fur on the sleeves of this coat mean that it has a bold shape and so nails two trends in one! If ever you needed a reason to buy something, surely this is it. trouva.com