Investing in a Winter Coat from Selfridges
*in collaboration with Selfridges
Being part of the generation who is consciously trying to minimise my consumption of fast fashion brands I’ve made an attempt to funnel my spending into more forever purchases vs. trend led items with a shorter lifespan.
Trend led coats and jackets are an easy purchase in the summer months but I’ve found through my years as a style blogger, choosing the wrong winter coat can be a waste of money, become quickly dated and leave you feeling like you’ve been left out in the cold if it’s not a well made item. This season it’s time to be investing in a winter coat from Selfridges for this season and many more to come.
I’m writing this post sat in a bikini in the Grand Cayman Islands, thousands of miles away from my favourite and most anticipated style purchase of the winter months: the investment coat purchase. TBF a black camel hair wrap coat would be of little use in 28 degree heat however, I’m almost sick with glee at the thought of being back in London, in 8 degree frosty weather slipping into my New Max Mara coat from Selfridges, wandering through London’s street underneath twinkling festive lights. You will probably already be thinking about what coat to buy this year and it’s not a decision to rush. A quality coat is likely to be your winter wardrobe’s most expensive purchase if you are looking for something less fast fashion and more investment and timeless.
Read on for my tips when shopping for a that investment designer coat purchase.
Touch, feel & try
I think it’s important to see an investment coat purchase in the flesh before committing to keeping it. If you are lucky to live near a Selfridges store pop into the Women’s Designer coat department and do a mass try on then order to your home online to avoid lugging your new purchase back with you. Selfridges has next day delivery if ordering by a certain time. Also, if you’re ordering online then make sure there’s an easy refund policy in place. Nothing can be more disappointing that receding a coat you’re super excited to own only to be disappointed just because it looks good on a model under studio lights with retouching doesn’t mean this is what will be delivered. Touch the fabric, inspect the seams.
The right type of warm
Make sure it will keep you warm but not sweaty. I’ve purchased a few polyester pieces in my time, a synthetic man made fabric that keeps you warm but traps heat inside so when you find yourself indoors or on the underground you suddenly feel like you’re wrapped in an inferno. Natural
Fibres or ethically sourced animal hair is the most adaptable and insulating material for a winter coat purchase. My Max Mara Manuela wrap coat is camel hair.
What exactly do you need from this purchase?
For what purpose are you making this investment? Do you need a smart coat for work that also works well for evening or smarter events? Maybe a mid length good quality wool mix, belted style, like my Max Mara coat is, for you. Are you on the move a lot, stay active, run around after kids and want to stay warm and mobile? A cropped puffer jacket by Burberry or Shoreditch Ski club would work well whilst staying on trend. Perhaps you’d like a casual jacket that elevates a weekend look? Invest in a shearling lined aviator jacket. It would be worth look at the Whistles and Acne coat selection. The Women’s designer coats selection at Selfridges will exceed anyone’s expectations.
Max Mara coats
When I was thinking about my own winter coat requirements I knew I wanted something classic that would elevate everyday outfits but in easy, nonchalant way as well as working as a smarter evening coat. A wrap coat is the perfect style for someone who wants a smart women’s designer coat but doesn’t want anything too formal. A wrap coat looks super cool wore open, draped over jeans and knitwear wore with trainers but also sharp enough to work belted over cocktails dresses to keep the frost out on route.
The wrap Max Mara coat is back for 2018 after its popularity in previous seasons. I’ve never owned anything (brushed) camel hair so was excited to see how it felt; surprisingly soft in texture and very warm and insulating. Although I wear mine in this blog with the v-neck you can button across one of the lapels for extra warmth.
Here I’ve styled it into an everyday look I’d wear on a day of meetings and events. Loved the effortless way it hangs over my silky long sleeved dress. I am wearing rouched knee high boots underneath and the knitted beanie keeps the look cool with extra warmth.
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