I'm a Shopping Expert—These 11 Winter Coats Stopped Me in My Tracks

It's no secret that I’m more of a summer person, but I have to admit that when the colder weather hits, there is one thing that gets me really excited, and that's a great winter coat.

As a coat lover, I prioritise a few things when investing in a new style. First, if I’m not warm, my husband says I moan endlessly, so that is always number one on my list. Second, even my most casual of coats have to add an element of polish to my outfit or I just feel, well, a little drab. So with that in mind, I like to invest in styles that feel really special and that I'll get plenty of wear out of. 

Another key factor to consider when choosing a coat, whether it is from the high street or a designer brand, is quality. I am a stickler for quality, and when it comes to a wool or padded coat, for example, it’s very easy to tell if something has been made poorly. Here's what I look out for…

One-hundred percent wool coats will always be the warmest fabrication, but keep an eye out for ones that have quite an open weave (if you look closely at the wool, you will see what looks like a grid), as this means the coat will most likely wear quite quickly, especially around the elbows. The weight of the fabric is also important. If there isn’t much weight or the coat isn’t lined, it is likely that it isn't going to hang well or last as long as other styles. Lastly, in general padded coats are made of down and feather. If they're not and the price seems too good to be true, they tend to be quite stiff, bulky and unflattering to wear. 

So with all that in mind, plus an ample offering of colours, cuts and shapes available right now, how do you choose which style to buy? Well, in my opinion, you can’t go wrong with a classic camel coat, and thanks to designers like Totême, this timeless style is fast becoming a key trend this winter. Oversized coats also continue to be an easy way to add a chic touch to your winter look with designers like Isabel Marant and The Frankie Shop making this shape an influencer favourite. Finally, if you love to be super cosy, you will be happy to know that padded coats are here to stay and come in many shapes and colourways this season.

To make things even easier for you, I headed out to see what was in the shops and tried on as many coats as I could find. These are the 11 coats that really stopped me in my tracks.

1. The Padded Trench Coat

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(Image credit: @lilyrussobah for Who What Wear UK)

Style Notes: COS recently launched its Atelier range, which is made up of a 37-piece collection focusing on sculptured silhouettes and above exceptionally good quality. This padded coat is one of the most sought-after pieces from the collection and is selling out fast already. 

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2. THE TAILORED WOOL COAT

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(Image credit: @lilyrussobah for Who What Wear UK)

Style Notes: The best thing about this Mango coat is the heavy-weight woollen fabric that gives it such a structured feel. It's also the perfect shade of grey. Not too pale and not too dark, it will look great styled with tailored trousers and jeans alike. 

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3. THE BRIGHT WOOL-BLEND COAT

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(Image credit: @lilyrussobah for Who What Wear UK)

Style Notes: I instantly fell in love with this coat from Massimo Dutti. This particular style is taken from its limited-edition range so sits at the top of the high-street price bracket, but be sure to check out its whole collection, as the brand is really nailing it this season. 

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4. THE SCARF COAT

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(Image credit: @lilyrussobah for Who What Wear UK)

Style Notes: In 2014, Swedish influencer Elin Kling launched clothing label Totême. Each collection is made up of stylish everyday pieces that transcend seasons. The brand's scarf coat was a firm fixture on most fashion influencers' grids last season, and much to our joy, it is back again this winter. 

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5. THE CHOCOLATE TRENCH

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(Image credit: @lilyrussobah for Who What Wear UK)

Style Notes: There are so many great trench coats on the high street right now that are perfect for this time of year, but this chocolate-brown version from & Other Stories really stood out to me. 

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6. THE QUILTED JACKET

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(Image credit: @lilyrussobah for Who What Wear UK)

Style Notes: You may have spotted quilted jackets all over Instagram last year. They were another influencer favourite, but despite their popularity, I always found the classic exaggerated trapeze shape tricky to wear, not to mention a little drafty. But this winter, Ganni has designed this super-cute padded jacket that comes with a detachable collar. I'm in love! 

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7. THE HERRINGBONE COAT

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(Image credit: @lilyrussobah for Who What Wear UK)

Style Notes: I have always known Gant for its menswear, so I was surprised to see so many brilliant pieces in its womenswear collection this season. From knitwear to tailored trousers and coats, the brand has seriously upped its game. I love the classic tweed fabrication of this coat in contrast to the more contemporary, oversized shape. 

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8. THE STANDOUT PUFFER

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(Image credit: @lilyrussobah for Who What Wear UK)

Style Notes: Now, this coat is definitely going to be like Marmite. You'll either love it or hate it, but I of course love it! This padded jacket from Tommy Hilfiger's collaboration with British designer Richard Quinn (who is known for his bold floral prints) was just too fabulous not to share. I have never known a padded jacket like it.

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9. THE DESIGNER PADDED COAT

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(Image credit: @lilyrussobah for Who What Wear UK)

Style Notes: If you're quick enough to snap up this Prada coat, you're in for a treat. The Italian fashion house has always led the way in designing toasty outerwear that's stylish and in non-traditional shapes. The volume in the pockets creates an almost 1940s reefer coat silhouette, and I love that you could be wearing the simplest outfit underneath, but by adding this coat, you will instantly look fabulous. 

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10. THE KHAKI TRENCH

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(Image credit: @lilyrussobah for Who What Wear UK)

Style Notes: The weather at this time of year can be quite unpredictable with chilly mornings turning into quite mild afternoons, so investing in a stylish trench coat is always a no-brainer. I love the statement sleeves on this iteration. 

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11. THE HOUNDSTOOTH COAT

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(Image credit: @lilyrussobah for Who What Wear UK)

Style Notes: If I had to pick one thing Victoria Beckham is best at, it's tailoring. Over the years, she has honed her craft and continues to create beautiful coats that are effortlessly chic. 

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SHOP MORE OF MY FAVOURITE COATS BELOW

Next Up: I'm a Fashion Expert—5 Ways I'm Wearing One of This Year's Biggest Coat Trends

Freelancer Fashion Editor

Lily Russo-Bah is a London-based freelance fashion editor and the founder of beachwear shopping destination Beachflamingo.com. A fashion expert who started her career at Grazia magazine in 2008, where she worked across both digital and print as fashion editor, compiling shopping pages and styling main fashion, and in 2014 was awarded Gold as one of the top five journalists in MHP’s Journalists to Watch. She is known for her expert eye, compiling killer edits and her obsession with anything pink. She is a self-confessed swimwear obsessive with so many bikinis she doesn’t have the time to count them. From runway trends to the high-street hits you need to add to cart right now, one of her favourite pastimes is spotting the next cult buy and under-the-radar designers. When she isn’t scouring the shops for the next must-have trends, she can be found dancing Brazilian samba and booking her next sunshine getaway.