The Best Winter Coats For Women In 2024

Rather like how finding the perfect sandals kick-starts your summer, buying a coat (not every year, of course, but when you need a new one) is the signal that winter's on its way. And as an item that you're probably going to wear every day for several months (/half the year if we're being realistic), the stakes are high when it comes to getting it spot on. While most brands haven't dropped their autumn collections yet - and hence their full range of winter coats for the colder months ahead - it's always a good idea to work out what exactly you're looking for before hitting the shops.

Winter Coat Trends 2024

As the latest round of shows was autumn/winter, there were obviously lots (and lots) of coats to choose from. One of the most prevalent items, however, was a classic blackcoat. 16Arlington's featured faux-fur epaulettes for a touch of drama and a mid-calf hemline; an elevated yet everyday version of the black coat that will fly off the shelves in autumn.

One of the most dominant trends that emerged was boho, inspired by the arrival of the new creative director at Chloé, Chemena Kamali, whose designs have so far been repped by Beyoncé, Sienna Miller and Daisy Edgar-Jones. The outerwear was a particularly delicious part of her new-bohemian offering, featuring ankle-length great coats in autumnal shades of pine, chartreuse and khaki that looked fabulous over tan leather boots.

But as well as the practical, plenty of designers sent look-at-me coats down their catwalks, including Matthieu Blazy, Bottega Veneta's creative director. The collection's standout was a belted leather coat in a punchy shade of primary shade (leather coats, incidentally, will once again be making their presence felt on shop floors this season). Shearling coats also got the call up at Chanel, where knee-length fuzzy styles walked the line between practical and playful to perfection.

Popular Winter Coats This AW24

As we're on the home stretch to autumn but haven't reached our destination, the shops aren't yet flush with their best winter coats. There are, however, a few styles worth bookmarking if you're an early bird. Arket's Cotton-Blend Trench Coat puts a twist on the classic trench coat, which was a trend seen at brands like Acne Studios, Balmain and Courrèges, with its funnel-style collar that can be turned up when the wind is biting.

Without further ado, here's our breakdown of the best winter coats that will last you for many cold-weather seasons, not just one.

Most Stylish Winter Coat For Women

Toteme's Embroidered Scarf Jacket has been an influencer-favourite for several seasons, with its distinctive blanket stitch, wrap-around neckline and stealth wealth shades like 'chocolate' and 'harvest'. This scarf coat is so popular that it consistently sells out almost as soon as it drops but, miraculously, it's still in stock in all four colours. Buy now to avoid disappointment this autumn.

Warmest Winter Coat For Women

Long hooded puffers have proved to be very popular over the past few winters for obvious reasons. Uniqlo is known for its tech fabrics that are designed to keep you warm or wick away sweat depending on the time of year, which makes its puffer coat one of the warmest on the market. Made from high-performance windproof down with durable water repellancy, it's the kind of coat you need in the depths of winter - and at £159.90, it's more affordable than a lot of other quilted coats without compromising on quality.

Best Long Winter Coat For Women

A coat whose hemline brushes the mid-calf, or even the upper ankle, is guaranteed to add polish and, dare we say, gravitas to whatever you're wearing. And while longer coats will naturally command a higher price tag, a good quality design made of wool, for example, will last for years to come. COS is one of the most reliable high street brands when it comes to elongated outerwear that's around the £250 mark.

Best Waterproof Coat For Women

You can't escape the rain in the UK, but you can invest in a suitable coat so that you're ready to pivot to waterproofs at short notice. Barbour is the gold-standard for rain gear that's functional but doesn't let you down in the fashion stakes, with a range of wax jackets that are great for the warmer months and longer waterproof coats that you can layer with jumpers and thermals towards the end of this year.

Best Designer Winter Coat For Women

No designer coat has as much cache as Max Mara's. Its Manuela belted camel hair coat, originally designed by Anne-Marie Beretta, has been a design institution ever since it launched in 1998. With a four-figure price tag, it's definitely an investment purchase, but consider: it's just as stylish now as it was three decades ago, it comes with a legion of celebrity admirers (Sienna Miller, Jennifer Lopez, Priyanka Chopra and Meghan Markle) and you'll wear it winter in, winter out.

Hannah Banks-Walker is the Head of Fashion Commerce for Grazia, where she waxes lyrical about midi dresses and tries not to collect any more red lipsticks.