Winter coats & jackets
26 of my current favourite options
Happy Sunday! It feels so good to be back in the headspace to write, shop and talk about fashion again. In addition to my little sabbatical, I also came down with the worst flu over the last couple of weeks (like most of Sydney it seems), and the lingering fatigue and brain fog is so so real.
As I touched on in my last post, I’m currently in between jobs which has left me with ample time to do nothing, except everything on my life admin list I have been putting off for a very long time :) One of these items was to clean out my wardrobe and donate any/everything that has been sitting in the back of my closet on the premise that maybe ‘one day’ I might wear it. My fiancé and I are currently gearing up to house hunt, so I decided this was the perfect time to get in and do a proper clean out. The biggest game changer for me to not hold on to maybe items was asking myself this question:
Would I pack this in a suitcase for a trip?
If my answer was no, then I asked myself:
Is there another way I could style this in line with my current style?
If the answer was still no, into the donation pile it went. These questions seem so simple, but it made me realise that if I didn’t think it was good enough for me to pack on a trip away, and if I couldn’t get creative with how to breathe new life into the piece, then chances are I’m probably never going to wear it and I’d much prefer to donate it to someone who will.
Usually, I would donate my clothes to my local charity or donation bin, but it dawned on me this time around that I genuinely don’t know what happens to my clothes once I do. If they’re not re-sellable or what the charity is in need of - then what happens to them? I honestly had never really asked myself this question until now, and it’s important to me that I know exactly what is happening to them (as apparently a lot of our clothes actually end up in landfill).
So, I went on a mission to find a charity where I felt confident that my clothes will end up with people who truly need them and in my research, I came across a family run business in Sydney called Clothing Clean Up that personally comes and collects your clothes and donates them to those in need overseas, or recycles them in a sustainable way if not. According to their website, apparently the demand for donated clothes isn’t actually that high here in Australia, and a lot of our clothes do end up in landfill. They ticked every box I’d been looking for so I was really excited to find them! As an added bonus, all I needed to do was book in a collection time online, and they came and picked up my bags from the front of my house and took care of the rest. I loved the whole experience, so this is definitely who I’ll be donating to from now on!
Now that I can now probably fit my entire wardrobe in 2-3 suitcases (it feels so good to finally run lean, another goal of mine this year!), I’ve been thinking a lot about what my everyday style formula truly is, and what’s missing from my current collection. We’ve just entered Winter here, so without a doubt the category that’s highest on my purchase hit-list is outerwear. My everyday uniform never really changes; I wear some form of wide leg jeans and a bodysuit with either sneakers or boots. So, the way I make my outfits more interesting and more me is through layering pieces and outerwear - something I realised that I could definitely curate better for myself.
So! for this week’s post I thought I’d share with you my list of all of the coats and jackets that are currently on my radar.
Wool Coats
Starting off with wool coats! One thing I’ve come to realise from this clean out is I only really wear cropped jackets or full length coats. There’s no in between. It may be because I’m 5’2, but I just do not tend to wear anything that sits in between unless its a midi biker jacket. Now that I know this about myself, the hunt for more full length coats begins!
1. Effie Kats - Cuper Coat
I already own a staple black full length coat, so to switch it up I have been on the hunt for a chocolate alternative that I can wear with denim jeans and a black bodysuit. This one from Effie Kats is high on the list, although perhaps maybe a bit too formal for everyday wear.
2. NA-KD - Long Straight Coat
One thing about me is that I also love an oversized coat (which you’ll come to quickly realise in this list haha). This coat from NA-KD is not only a more affordable option, but also something I think I’d get way more wear out of day-to-day.
3. NA-KD - Oversized Coat
If you’re in the market for a black coat that won’t break the bank, NA-KD has some great options! I own a similar style to this from them and I am so impressed with the quality. Sadly it isn’t online anymore, but I’m loving this one as an alternate.
4. Nakedvice - The Boston Oversized Coat
Nakedvice nails oversized tailoring, and this coat is no exception. This is my dream grey coat! I also love that they’ve done it in a deeper grey as I think it looks more luxe for Winter.
5. Source Unknown - Wallis Oversized Grandpa Coat
I wish there was a stockist for this brand here in Aus because I’m so keen to see how this would look on me. I’ve had this inspo pic saved for a while now and I love how effortlessly cool this coat looks on!
6. NA-KD - Heavy Oversized Trench Coat
Another coat that has been sitting in my saved folder for months now is this style, again from NA-KD. It’s a great workwear option, but I also love how Hannah Whiting has styled it for a more sporty/casual everyday look.
7. COS - Belted Double Faced Wool Coat
Even though I love a coat that’s a more relaxed street style look, I can’t go past this classic and more timeless wool option from COS. It also comes in black and includes a belt.
8. Camilla and Marc - Quill Coat
One thing I want to get better at doing is adding more pops of colour into my wardrobe. I bought this green and black coat from Topshop last year and I’m truly surprised at just how much I wear it. It’s one of my favourite go-to’s when I’m feeling bored with my outfit and want to make it more interesting (I wore this out shopping yesterday and got stopped 4 times in the one store asking where I got it from haha - took it as a sign that I clearly need to wear more colour!) If you’re looking to add some colour into your wardrobe too, I absolutely adore this blush coat from Camilla and Marc. The tone is pretty subtle which makes it easy to style, and pairs perfectly with not only denim but also the burgundy/brown colour themes we’re seeing everywhere this season.
9. Song of Style - Mattea Coat
Confession.. I’m still obsessed with the mob wife trend and I have been patiently waiting for it to get cold enough here in Aus so that I can finally channel this inspo. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, one of the most popular US/EU trends this past Winter was the mob wife trend, which was basically just a fancy TikTok-coined term for styling leather and vintage fur (or faux fur) coats a la The Soprano’s. At it’s core, the trend focuses on exaggerated vintage coats/pieces that look like family heirlooms. This coat is currently on sale (yay!) and is serving rich grandma energy (which I think I’ve just discovered may be my true aspirational vibe?)
10. Nour Hammour - Amina Coat
If there’s one brand that is at the top of my wishlist for outerwear, it’s Nour Hammour. If you know me you know that I love all things animal print, so this coat is an absolute dream statement piece.
11. Source Unknown - Wallis Oversized Grandpa Coat
Speaking of statement pieces… I understand this is giving Macklemore in Thrift Shop, but I’m making an argument for it as styled by Emma Leger below:
Thoughts?
12. Helsa - Faux Leather Long Coat
I am convinced I was made for NYC weather with the coat styles I am constantly gravitating towards lol. I am truly obsessed with the cinched waist detail of this floor length leather coat from Helsa! If you’re looking for similar styles, I’ve added a few more affordable faux leather trench coats a little bit later on in this list.
Bomber Jackets
Moving on to the next outerwear category - jackets! Bomber jackets, specifically. I am pretty happy with my leather jacket collection (largely thanks to both of my parents, who for some reason had a leather jacket obsession in the 90’s and left me with all of these wonderful vintage pieces), so I’m in need of more casual options like a bomber jacket that I can throw on with jeans or flare leggings for everyday wear.
13. Lioness - Essential Bomber
Being stuck in bed sick for 2 weeks left me with not much else to do except binge watch basically every video Morgan Riddle has made on her YouTube channel. I love her style, but one outfit in particular from her recent Switzerland vlog stuck out to me. She is wearing a brown collared nylon bomber jacket with wide leg jeans and white sneakers. It’s such a simple outfit (so I can’t quite pinpoint why I love it so much), but think it’s the way she’s styled it by zipping the bomber all the way up and having it ballooned over is what I liked the most (I usually style my jackets open, so this would make sense). I am fairly certain the jacket she is wearing is vintage Burberry, but this cheaper alternative I found from Lioness would achieve the same desired look.
14. Scarlet & Sam - Bomber Jacket
Another bomber I’ve been eyeing is this from small Aussie label Scarlet & Sam. It’s quite cropped and tighter fitting compared to the Lioness one above, but I still think it would look cute with jeans or wide leg pants. It’s currently sold out, but it looks like they’re doing another drop soon in a khaki colourway. It also has a collar which is a detail I’m loving for bomber jackets right now!
15. Bubish - Elsa Bomber
Moving on to (faux) leather options - can we talk about how cute this pink bomber is from yet another small Aussie label Bubish!? I’m usually not a pink girl, but between the Camilla and Marc coat and this jacket… I think I’ve officially been converted.
PS - if you’re looking for more leather bomber options, I’ve already done an edit on this here:
Ask Alexa: Winter Jackets & Going Out Tops
One of my favourite series that I run over on IG is ‘what are you shopping for?’ - a question I post on my stories and give advice for based off of the answers I get. I really enjoy doing this series because not only does it help me get an idea of what content you want, but most of the time there …
16. Pixie Market - Faux Leather Bomber Jacket
This bomber from Pixie Market is giving Acne without the price tag, therefore earning it’s rightful spot at the top of my bomber it-list. How amazing is this deep chocolate colour too?
17. Helsa - Faux Leather & Wool Blend Bomber
For something a little different, I always seem to come back to this Helsa jacket. I absolutely love the contrast detail, which gives it a bit of a varsity feel but in an elevated way.
Trench coats
Trench coats never go out of style but definitely ebb and flow in their popularity depending on the season. This season, they’re out in force again, and a good quality trench is a must-have piece I believe everyone should own. I’m starting to build upon my collection, so here are some of my current favourites.
18. Venroy - Belted Cotton Trench Coat
I bought this Venroy trench for my mum for Mother’s Day, and it’s high on the list to get for myself (when I was in the store I’ve never seen so many people trying on the same thing at once). It looks incredible on and I also love the fact that there’s no hardware or buttons, so it goes with just about everything. One thing to note about the fit though is that it does run big. My mum is a 10-12, so I bought her an S thinking that it would be fine, but I had to exchange for an XS because it was just way too oversized when she tried it on. Something to keep in mind if you’re looking to purchase it too!
19.Mossman - For Keeps Trench Coat
For a more structured style, I quite like this option from Mossman. It’s also in the more affordable price range along with the Venroy trench, which is a bonus if you’re on a budget but looking for a more elevated style to wear for work!
20. Pixie Market - Oversized Padded Trench Coat
I absolutely LOVE the relaxed fit and colour of this trench from Pixie Market. It looks a bit ridiculous when not belted, but I don’t think that matters as the intention when buying something like this is to let the coat be the outfit.
21. Henne - Otto Trench
I’ve spoken about Henne’s trenches before, but the Otto is the original best selling style that I still can’t seem to go past. A must have in any wardrobe imo!
22. Henne - Peregrine Maxi Trench
Speaking of Henne, this vegan leather trench is to die for!! It’s currently sold out on their website, but they do have new drop every 2 weeks and tend to be good at restocking best sellers. It’s also on their coming soon page, so I assume a restock will be here soon.
23. JGR & STN - Lara Trench Coat
If you’re on the hunt for a more affordable (faux) leather trench, a similar style I also quite like is this one from JGR & STN.
24. Chosen by Tuchuzy - Faded Vegan Leather Trench
Faux leather trenches seem to be the trend at the moment, and another style I’ve been seeing everywhere (and loving) is this distressed, vintage leather look. I’ve also had a slightly cheaper alternative from NA-KD saved in my wishlist for a while now too.
25. Camilla and Marc - Burdock Trench Jacket
Let’s talk about cropped trench coats! At first, I absolutely hated them and thought they were just a fleeting trend (I still kind of agree with this). But since my mind has had time to process all the ways in which I could style it, I now find myself wishing that I had one. If you’re going to buy a cropped trench, I think it’s essential to find one that comes with a belt to help give your outfit some structure especially when styling with baggy jeans or pants. I absolutely love this one from Camilla and Marc! And the fact that there’s no hardware which makes it easier to style.
26. Source Unknown - Oversized Cropped Twill Trench Coat
Another option I’m loving is this piece from Source Unknown. I think an oversized style with a belt is definitely the way to go if you’re going to purchase a cropped trench. For a more casual outfit option, I would also style this over black bike shorts or flared leggings and sneakers.
That’s a wrap (for now). What jackets and coats have you been wishlisting or loving lately? Let me know in the comments!
Alexa x
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Great post! I Hope you find a job you like soon!