However, I do love MY black coat. Let’s just say that of black coats in general, I’m not much of a fan, shall we…?
I love a well-styled outfit as much as the next woman, but black coats do tend to fill me with dread. Have you ever noticed that in the winter you see a mass of black coats when you’re out and about? Go to a busy train station and you’ll see what I mean… I honestly think that around 80% of people wear a black coat (often a puffa). It’s ever-so-slightly depressing, especially when they’re paired with jeans and black shoes. Or black boots. And a black scarf.
Excuse me while I zzzzzzzz…
Oops, nodded off there whilst pondering black coats…!
Now, that’s not to say I’m going to toss mine out (even though I’m such a lover of colour and The Owner Of All the Coloured Coats In The Universe). In fact I actually MADE A POINT of getting a classic black winter coat a few years ago because it was one item I didn’t have in my wardrobe.
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(I have countless pink coats, many MANY check coats and several in yellow or orange. Then there are all the camel ones and the leopard ones and the two-tone ones…)
The black coat had always eluded me and my closet. As long as it was the right style and cut, I thought my wardrobe might benefit from a basic black number to keep the black biker jacket and the black longline blazer company. And the one I went for was this:
Pretty boring, you might say.
HOWEVER, with this coat it was all about the cut and the tailoring (the nearest one I could find to mine is this classic black coat from Hobbs). Longline and in wool, single-breasted, plain lapels, slightly nipped in at the waist. Perfect.
SHOP THE LOOK:
A black coat always needs colour and texture. It doesn’t need to be a lot of both, just a fair amount of at least one and a bit of the other. (Otherwise you’ll blend into all those other people in black puffa coats and jeans at the train station.)
I’ve worn my black coat about five times on the blog (that I could remember), but every time I’ve followed my own advice and added plenty of colour and texture.
This time? I went with a smart casual look: a white-background tartan scarf, burgundy trousers with a red go-faster-stripe (love these), chunky heeled ankle boots (similar) and a black and white (wide) stripe sweater.
The accessories I chose were a grey wool fedora* and a smart grey leather backpack*. I’m pretty much only wearing black, white and red but there’s a lot going on here in the way of pattern and texture, so no worries about blending into those crowds.
Scroll down to see the other ways I’ve styled my black coat, all the while avoiding that winter uniform of the masses. I’ve included a couple of dressy looks (good for date nights in winter), another smart casual look and then one with jeans. Even I break my own self-enforced “rules” at times…!
One thing that’s an essential with black coats, though: always have a lint roller on hand. A black coat always picks up the MINUTEST bits of fluff and hairs and makes them look 10 times worse than they would on any other colour. I rollered my coat literally just before walking out the door to take photos, and STILL you can see fluffy bits.
Aaaaargh to all that mysterious white fluff and [dog] hair!
Do add your outfits to this week’s link up – and if you’ve added a link to here or my button to your post you may be featured in my monthly Women Who Wear What They Like post.
DO YOU WEAR A BLACK COAT IN WINTER – IF SO HOW DO YOU STYLE YOURS?! TELL ME IN THE COMMENTS…
Scarf: Asos (similar)
Coat: La Redoute (similar)
Trousers: Oasis (I like these)
Hat: The White Company/gifted (similar)
Sweater: Mango (similar)
Backpack: Katie Loxton/gifted
Sunglasses: Lulus (similar)
Boots: New Look (similar)
I obviously like that tartan scarf with the black coat…! This is super casual, though nothing like the black winter uniform of the masses I mentioned. A bit of extra colour, lots of texture. (original post >>)
One of my favourite outfits EVER. I went for a Katherine Hepburn-inspired look with wide leg trousers and a blouse with polka dots and a black neck bow tie (such a fab finishing touch). Worn to a birthday party meal, it would also be perfect for a date night with the OH. (original post >>)
Another outfit suitable for a date night – or just a date – I used my old trick of layering a dress over trousers. The little touches of bling echoed the sparkle in the dress and the clutch provided colour. (original post >>)
It’s those oft-worn checked trousers again! Blue is not a colour I wear a lot, but I like the way the blue sweater is the same blue as the scarf and both provide texture. MUST dig out those blue aviators now I’ve seen them again. (original post >>)
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Thank you for joining the #iwillwearwhatilike link up! This started as a campaign on Instagram in August 2015 where women over 30 wore everything on a journalist’s list of “inappropriate” items for 30+ women (including leopard print, short dresses and oversized sunglasses. Yes, really). It was so popular that I decided to carry it on weekly where women of all ages link up their fabulous style, never mind what anyone tells them not to wear!
The link up goes live every Tuesday at around 3pm UK time and will stay open for a week. Whilst the original article was of course aimed at the 30+, you can be ANY age to link up. The only criteria is that you’re wearing whatever you damn well like!
CLICK HERE to read the rules of linking up (and to grab the #iwillwearwhatilike button). Basically it’s just good manners to link back to here – to leave a comment is even nicer!
PLEASE NOTE: This is for linking up WHAT YOU’VE BEEN WEARING ONLY. Non-outfit links will be removed and you might be blocked if you turn out to be a repeat “offender”!
Please note that due to the new GDPR laws I’m unable to send an email reminder unless you subscribe to the mailing list of your own accord. CLICK HERE if you wish to be sent an email with a reminder to link up to the #iwillwearwhatilike link up as soon as it’s live!
Do share the love and visit as many links as you can (you never know what other lovely like-minded ladies you might meet) – the original Instagram campaign forged some wonderful new friendships so don’t miss out!
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