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9 Ways to Wear 3 Statement Coats (Plus AW15 Best Coat Picks)

Last weekend I got my winter coats out of storage. Although it’s still strangely mild in the UK (15ºC/59ºF in the south west), I always love the excitement of seeing my winter coats again after a few months packed away.

One of the few benefits of having cold weather in this country is getting the opportunity to wear my statement coats a lot (unlike the little wear my summer dresses get), so I thought it was timely to show you how I style my three favourite coats in nine different ways.

(That’s three coats three ways each, or nine ways altogether… I wasn’t sure how I was meant to phrase it!)

I’ve also included a few of my picks of the best AW15 statement coats available at the moment: I could double the number of statement coats I own in one fell swoop with these beauties.

Do you love a statement coat like me – and if so how much wear do yours get? Let me also know what new coats you have your eye on for this season… Tell me in the comments or tweet me @notlamb!

1. Tweed coat with leather sleeves and fur collar (left | middle | right) – River Island
I adore this coat: The different fabrics and textures make it feel and look so much more expensive than it actually was. (This faux shearling coat is my current favourite alternative.)

I thought I’d regret the fur collar not being detachable, but to be honest I couldn’t imagine the coat without it. It adds a touch of glamour to a date-night outfit worn just over the shoulders, and the neutral tones work well with autumnal colours. I’ve seen a few coats with faux leather sleeves like this; add a separate fur collar yourself and you get the same effect.

2. Bold black and white check wool coat (left | middle | right) – Marks & Spencer
For some reason I seem to always favour warm shades – red, coral and pink – with this black and white coat (this one is almost identical).

I wore it to a business meeting I attended (above left); the suit trousers and cashmere sweater with crisp shirt collar was one of my favourite looks at the time.

Pattern mixing works well with a great check: It’ll always look good with a contrasting tartan. A polka dot scarf or top (or other bold pattern) work well, too.

3. Colour-blocked leopard print and black car coat (left | middle | right) – Zara
This is undoubtedly the best leopard print piece of clothing I own; it can be tricky to style, however. I find that as long as there is some black in the rest of my outfit it works. I’ve worn this coat a lot on the blog and it never fails to get compliments. This tailored leopard print coat is one of the classiest alternatives I’ve found recently.

I think leopard print suits the masculine chic look with boyfriend jeans and brogues, and blush pink works beautifully with it (must try that again with other pink tops or sweaters).

Adding fun or boyish elements that contrast the leopard print – like the baseball cap and denim – stop it falling into “brassy” territory… A potential trap to avoid if, like me, you’re into a more edgy look.

AW15 best statement coat picks
There are so many great statement coats out there this season – here’s my pick of the best! I hope you like bright colour, faux fur or bold pattern… They’re all here!

1. NIC+ZOE Bold Blush Jacket
I died and went to ombré heaven when I saw this gorgeous blush coat from NIC+ZOE. I’m obsessed with everything pink, peach and lilac at the moment so the colour and the asymmetrical style tick all my AW15 wishlist boxes. (It also comes in Petite and Plus sizes as well as Regular which is a bonus.) I could see it paired with lilac skinnies or my winter white tailored trousers.

NIC+ZOE also have a great selection of neutral-coloured statement coats if you’re after something bold but in a more muted colour.

2. Topshop Multi-Coloured Faux Fur Coat
Like something out of a Siberian circus, this crazy faux fur coat from Topshop has a gorgeous black, white, emerald, coral and yellow colour combination. Not everyone’s cup of tea, but if you want a hit-you-in-the-face statement coat this would surely be it.

To be honest I’d go neutral with black like they’ve styled the model – with a coat this bold you don’t want to take the attention away from it (if that were possible)!

3. Monki Quilted Oversized Coat (at ASOS)
Padded coats aren’t usually particularly stylish, but if you want a super-warm coat that also makes a statement this quilted beauty would do both for you. I love the oversized houndstooth print and the rounded collar – it’s also fully-lined and machine-washable (bonus).

As it’s double-breasted I can imagine it’s the nearest thing to wrapping yourself up in a winter duvet.

4. Yumi Oversized Check Coat (at House of Fraser)
The colours of this coat are stunning – a greenish-yellow and blue-grey check – in my favourite shape, the oversized duster coat. It has a touch of the 60s about it, and as a fan of checked coats (I have at least five, maybe six) I think this would look really at home in my collection. Perfect with indigo or charcoal grey denim, though I have some mustard trousers that would also look great with it.

Because of the 60s styling it works well with the cropped skinnies and ballet flats (as pictured), but I like the idea of knee-high boots, opaque tights and a short, straight skirt with it (just above the knee for me).

5. Hobbs Valentia Coat
If the crazy Topshop coat was too much for you but you love faux fur, this stunning faux fur wrap coat from Hobbs will still make a statement, but the warm, neutral colour is easier to style than those circus colours. It would look great with or without the leather tie belt, and I’d probably team it with rich jewel colours or winter white.

I think this would last many years because although it’s a bold coat the colour will mean it won’t date for years – definitely one to invest in, especially as it looks more expensive than it is.

6. ASOS WHITE Overcoat in Monochrome Stripe
ASOS have come up with another black and white statement, this time as a long blanket coat in an unusual stripe. I love the sportswear they’ve teamed it with in the photo, though it would work just as well over an office-appropriate skirt and heels. It would be great as a smart commuting-to-the-office coat and for country walks (as a freelancer I favour the latter)!

Linking up to: Style Stories, iwillwearwhatilike, Visible Monday, Let It Shine, Monday Mingle, Style Sessions, Turning Heads Tuesday, Trend Spin Link-Up, What I Wore Wednesday, Brilliant Blog Posts, Throwback Thursday, Passion for Fashion Friday, Friday’s Fab Favourites

Disclosure: This was a collaborative post (click here for my full disclosure). All content is original, however, and opinions are my own and 100% honest. This post contains some affiliate links.

Catherine