Good Coats Forever: A deep-dive into available options for Autumn/Winter 2024
Hey my dear Internet Friends,
how are you? I hope you are doing fine.
I am currently planning a couple of trips such as an art trip to Vienna, Christmas in Bath and Japan which I am so excited about, I can’t wait to write the travel guides for all of those destinations.
Have you read about the new dinner series La Table Alaïa by luxury brand Alaïa? Each dinner will be hosted by a different personality and a renowned chef, featuring custom furniture and tableware that embody the Alaïa aesthetics. For the inaugural edition, in mid October, 30 guests can book a table for the night, where Pieter Mulier collaborates with Chef Jules Saint Cyr on a 5-courses signature menu for 136 Euro, which seems fair? Would love to try it.
Last week, when I was walking with my mom through Berlin, a woman on the street said to me while passing that she loved my newsletter. Made my day, thank you! The newsletter is a day late today, because I was waiting on one amazing coat which I kindly got from a PR agency yesterday and which couldn’t be missed for this edition! Please see below:
Coats Forever: An Exploration
I usually work on these features for about two or sometimes even three weeks - I always have an additional idea, or want to do more research so I need this kind of time. In this case it was weird, because coat-themed newsletters popped up at every corner - well, not weird, because it’s mid October and it’s getting cold. My aim for this one is to give you a bit of a more individual angle for the search query: I did quite a lot of research, skimmed through lots of e-com pages, from high-to-low - from The Row and Bottega to COS and Arket- as well as asking for intel of my very stylish friends such as Charly Kraska and Franziska Nellessen, plus looked in my archives for what was great in the past?
I have strategised and eventually categorised my findings into four sections: Soft Oversize Coats, Leopard Coats, Menswear Coats and Fun Coats. My aim was to not get too influenced by trends (I think it’s boring if everyone looks the same), but think about what has inspired me in the past years, what kind of feelings certain garments evoke and who I find inspirational around me. I have this book for example Women in Clothes by Sheila Heti as well as What Artists Wear by Charly Porter. I love reading books like that, as they often talk about the feelings and associations that a certain way of dressing can create which then shapes an inspiration that feels very individual - I can very much recommend this approach.
Soft Oversize Coats
I LOVE soft oversize coats. Wearing those big ones feels like wearing a blanket, you can always fit big jumpers underneath which is a big pro because I have others which, when you do that, make you look huge. My experience with these ones is that you have to try them on, they don’t always work on everyone - especially when you are not super tall, it can be difficult.
The Options
The ultimate inspiration for this kind of coat comes from my very stylish friend Charly Kraska, who owned the below coat since years - the last picture I had with her wearing it was from 2018. It was from the brand Erika Cavallini, and she already sold it unfortunately - but maybe you find it on Vestiaire.
I did actually find a wrap coat which did remind me of Charly's above, it’s by By Malene Birger and looks so cosy and warm, like a bathrobe.
Charly also recommended me this really beautiful coat from the Spanish brand Bimba y Lola which I got today (this was the one I was waiting for) - it’s so perfect. It’s light blue, super soft and big, but not crazy big, floor-length. I think it’s the perfect winter companion, also to lighten up a dark day :) 335 Euro.
Soeur has this collar-less version which can be used with or without a belt, and only one button which makes it look very special. 795 Euro.
I bought this floor-length coat by Christopher Esber on sale at Mytheresa last year (ignore the mess on the floor; this image wasn’t originally taken for the internet). It was so soft that I wanted to melt into it. Unfortunately, it was too big, and I had to return it, though I still think about it. I found it again while sourcing the link for you – it’s now on its last sale at The Frankie Shop! I bought it again, but sadly, it’s still too big, which means there’s one left for you! It’s still very expensive, but so soft. I would have loved to wear it this winter.
Leopard Coats
They come back into fashion every four years anyway, so despite being trendy now, they’re always timeless – like cowboy boots. I just love, love animal print. A good leopard coat can be found no-name in a vintage store. I had a really great one made of faux fur, which I sold but have been trying to buy back ever since – a true classic. I bought this beauty in New York at a vintage shop next to the legendary Hotel Chelsea, dreaming that Robert Mapplethorpe and Patti Smith had once visited the same place.
Of course Bottega Veneta has a really nice shearling one: I think the brown belt complements it really well, and I love the cheetah-like color combination. The shoulders and collar look fantastic.
Phoebe Philo is offering us a 16.000 Euro leopard print coat, which of course is an outrageous price - but sharing for inspiration.
I also found a more affordable version from Massimo Dutti for 349 Euro, which I think is quite good?
Nereja is a brand which I found via Juliana Salazar - I love the styling and art direction. It’s run by a former Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue fashion director Sveta Vashenyak - it’s upcycled fur which I theoretically think is a good idea, but am not unsure if morally justifiable, I guess there are lots of pros and cons.
Another brand which has a nice long leo coat is Rixo, you can also get it in short! It’s really good. Leandra has both versions and they look great. Available at Mytheresa (635 Euro), short version at Net-A-Porter (480 Euro) as well as on the brands website.
