Get your new season coats sorted

Ok, so we might have just enjoyed a glorious bank holiday weekend, but in this country we should never get complacent. We hate to say it but autumn is just around the corner and (gulp) wintry weather will quickly follow, and you wouldn’t want to be caught unawares. It might seem far too early to start thinking about winter coats but doing a bit of homework now can set you up for the season ahead – your coat is going to be a key investment, so doesn’t it make sense to do some forward planning?

Being prepared is all about having several styles of coat at your disposal, because you never can tell what the occasion (or weather) will call for. A parka can be great for any eventuality – it can look effortlessly casual but more luxurious versions work well with more formal styles too, and you can’t go wrong with a trusty trench coat. Beautifully stylish and great for when the autumnal chill sets in the trench will be there for you throughout the season, and of course, you can’t forget about the duffle either. It’s ideal for any occasion and the chunky toggles mean there’ll be no fiddling around with buttons when you’ve got gloved hands – something that can never be underestimated when the big freeze hits – and if you choose wisely (ahem) it can be a great investment piece too.

You’ll want to keep up with the key trends of AW13 as well, and luckily the high street has got you covered. Pastel shades are definitely in – although normally associated with spring/summer there’s a definite candy hue in the air, but if you prefer traditional autumnal colours you’ll be able to find plenty of rich greens, blacks and oxblood shades too. Texture is back on the block and this time it’s the fuzzy, muppet-esque material that’s taking centre stage, or if you want something a bit less fluffy you might prefer boucle or brushed wool finishes. Checks are also set to be huge and can easily be incorporated into your outerwear look, with the catwalks displaying everything from monochrome plaid to full-on tartan and made from cachmere wool

So why not see what’s out there? It’s all about doing your homework to make sure you’ve got coats that are of the quality you need (quality is everything when it comes to winter coats) and the style you want, and if you start saving up the pennies you can make a great investment for a new coat or two that can easily see you through the new season.