How to Choose the Perfect Winter Coat for You

There are few things that say Autumn has arrived quite like the first proper coat of the season.

And while we might spend hours choosing the perfect dress, pair of trousers or jumper, coats can sometimes be an afterthought. We find one that fits, keeps us warm and happens to be on sale and that’s that. But your coat deserves more consideration than that.

For much of Autumn and Winter, your coat is the outfit people see most. It is the first thing people notice when you arrive somewhere, the thing you wear walking into work, meeting friends, going shopping or heading out for dinner. And because you may wear the same coat dozens, or even hundreds, of times, getting it right can make a huge difference to how you feel.

A great coat doesn't just keep you warm. It makes you look and feel like you. So, before you invest in your next winter coat, here are a few things we'd encourage you to think about.

1. Start with colour

Let's begin with one of the easiest things to overlook: the colour.

Your coat sits right underneath your face, so the colour you choose can have a significant impact on your complexion.

The right colour can make your skin look clearer, your eyes brighter and your whole appearance more radiant. The wrong colour can do the opposite, making you look tired, washed out or as though the coat is wearing you rather than the other way around.

This is particularly important because winter coats tend to be substantial pieces. Unlike a small accessory that you can easily move away from your face, a coat creates a large block of colour around you. And that means you don't necessarily have to default to black. Black may be practical, but it isn't automatically the most flattering choice for everyone.

Depending on your colouring, you might look far better in navy, charcoal, chocolate, camel, burgundy, forest green, berry, teal or one of the softer shades within your seasonal palette. There are literally hundreds of choices out there. Don’t feel you have to compromise because your usual retailer only has black, navy or beige available. Shop around! If you get this right, you’ll be wearing this particular coat for years to come.

We've put together some coat inspiration for each of the four seasonal colour palettes to help you see just how many possibilities there are beyond black. Check them out here!

Your best coat colour should work with your colouring and with the rest of your wardrobe.

2. Think about the silhouette you want

A coat is a wonderful opportunity to create the silhouette you love. Do you feel fabulous in something beautifully tailored and defined? Look for structured shoulders, a shaped waist and clean lines.

Perhaps you prefer something softer and more relaxed. A cocoon or gently oversized coat can create a completely different feel. Or maybe you love a belted coat that draws attention to your waist and creates a defined silhouette. There isn't one universally "flattering" coat shape. Don’t be fooled by what the influencers tell you you ‘should’ be wearing this season. Find the shape that’s right for you. If you don’t know this then maybe it’s time to invest in a personal style consultation where all the information is just for you.

The question is: What do you want your coat to do for you?

If you love showing off your waist, don't hide it beneath an enormous, shapeless coat simply because oversized is fashionable. If you love a relaxed, contemporary look, you don't have to squeeze yourself into something tightly tailored just because it's considered more traditionally flattering. Your clothes and your coat should work with your personality as well as your body.

3. Consider the length

The length of your coat can completely change the proportions of your outfit. A cropped coat can work beautifully with trousers, jeans or a dress where you want to create a longer leg line.

A knee-length coat can feel classic and versatile, particularly if you wear lots of dresses and skirts that are knee-length too. And a longer coat can look incredibly elegant, especially when worn with boots or a streamlined outfit underneath. But don't choose the length in isolation. Think about what you actually wear. If most of your winter wardrobe consists of dresses and skirts, a longer coat may give you a beautiful, uninterrupted line. If you're predominantly a jeans-and-trousers person, you might prefer a shorter or mid-length style.

And if you regularly wear longer knitwear underneath your coat, check what happens when you button it up. You don't want your jumper or cardigan peeking out awkwardly underneath unless that's a deliberate part of the look.

4. Remember what you're going to wear underneath it

This sounds obvious, but it's one of the biggest coat-shopping mistakes we see. You try a coat on wearing a thin top in a warm shop and think: "Perfect!"

Then winter arrives and you put on your favourite chunky jumper. Suddenly you can't move your arms or the sleeves feel tight, the buttons pull across your bust or the whole coat feels completely different.

Take your winter wardrobe into account when you try coats on.  Ideally, try your coat over a reasonably substantial jumper or knitwear layer. Move your arms. Sit down. Button it up. Walk around. We like to do the reach and lunge test whenever we buy anything new. A winter coat needs to accommodate the clothes you'll actually be wearing.

And don't forget sleeves. If you have longer arms, shorter sleeves can make an otherwise beautiful coat feel strangely proportioned. Equally, if you are petite, an oversized coat with very long sleeves can overwhelm you. The coat needs to fit you not just the hanger.

5. Look at the details around your face

Collars, lapels, hoods and necklines can make a surprisingly big difference. A large, dramatic collar creates a very different effect from a neat, narrow lapel. A high funnel neck can feel beautifully cosy and contemporary, while a V-shaped neckline can create a more open, elongating effect. Again, there isn't a single right answer. Learn what works for you!

Think about the scale and style of features you naturally suit and the overall impression you want to create. If your style is soft and feminine, you may love a gently curved collar, beautiful buttons or a belted shape. If your style is more minimalist, a clean, simple coat with little embellishment may feel much more like you. And if you're a lover of statement accessories, think about whether the coat gives your scarves, jewellery or bags enough room to shine.

6. Don't forget your shoes

Your coat doesn't exist in isolation. Think about the shoes and boots you wear throughout Winter. A long, elegant coat with a pair of knee-high boots can create a completely different look from the same coat worn with trainers. Likewise, a shorter coat can work beautifully with ankle boots or trainers, while a more tailored mid-length coat might work with almost everything. If you're buying an investment coat, mentally create three complete outfits with it before you buy.

Can you see it with your favourite jeans? With a smart outfit? With a dress?

If the answer is yes, you're much more likely to get your money's worth.

7. Consider your lifestyle

The most beautiful coat in the world isn't much use if it doesn't fit your life. Do you walk everywhere? Drive most places? Commute by train? Spend lots of time outdoors? Need something smart for work? Are you looking for a coat for everyday wear, or something special for evenings and occasions?

A pale, luxurious wool coat might be absolutely gorgeous but perhaps not the obvious choice if you're regularly throwing it over muddy boots and taking the dog for a walk!

Think about where and how you'll actually wear it. The best coat is the one that makes you feel fabulous and earns its place in your real life.

8. Think beyond this season's trends

Coats are one area where we would encourage you to think about longevity. Trends can be fun, but because a good winter coat is likely to be a relatively significant purchase, ask yourself whether you'll still love the shape and colour in three years' time. That doesn't mean your coat has to be boring. A beautiful colour, interesting texture, gorgeous buttons, an unusual collar or a beautifully cut silhouette can make a coat feel distinctive without tying it to one particular fashion moment.

If you're spending more on your coat, look for something that feels timelessly you rather than temporarily fashionable.

9. Don't underestimate the power of a great coat

There is a reason coats can have such a transformative effect on an outfit. They cover so much of us. Which means they can also completely change the impression we're giving. A great coat can make a simple jeans-and-jumper outfit look polished. It can pull together a dress and boots it can add colour to an otherwise neutral outfit. It can make you feel instantly more sophisticated, feminine, relaxed, dramatic or contemporary – depending on what you choose.

This is where your seasonal colouring can make shopping so much easier.

Instead of wandering through a sea of black, camel and grey coats wondering which one might work, start with the colours that you already know flatter you.

We've selected some of our favourite coat options for Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter to give you some inspiration. And remember – your seasonal palette isn't a list of rules. It's a starting point.

There will always be colours outside your palette that you love, and you may find that a particular shade works beautifully because of the way you style it. But when you're spending money on a piece that sits so close to your face and dominates your Winter wardrobe, your most flattering colours are a very useful place to begin.

Your coat should do more than keep you warm. It should make you feel confident, comfortable and completely yourself. So this Autumn, before you reach automatically for the black coat because it's "practical", pause for a moment. Could you choose something that makes you smile when you put it on? Because you'll be wearing it for months. You might as well love it!

We are The Style and Colour Company.  Jo and Wendy have over 30 years' combined experience in the styling industry.  As well as delivering thousands of colour analyses and styling consultations over the decades they are co-founders of The Style and Colour Academy training the stylists of tomorrow to deliver services with human psychology at the core because every client is unique and deserves to be seen as more than just a body to dress but a personality that deserves to be seen!  Email us at info@styleandcolouracademy.co.uk if you are interested in training or booking a consultation.  We are waiting to welcome you!