With the temperature plunging down everyday its time to bring out the often understated, often underutilized, but a must-have fashion accessory out of your closet…. YES you guessed it right, its time for those long OVERCOATS!!!!
From Catwalk shows to Hollywood glitz and not to forget our own ostentatious Bollywood everywhere you see the coats are doing the rounds.
Winter jacket & Overcoat, Car-Coats, Capes, Cloaks, Anoraks (including Skijackets), Wind-Cheaters, Wind-Jackets, Leather Jackets or just plain old Blazers, coats in general are like candies in a candy store to coat aficionados with so many varieties in such different options, colours, textures, materials, designs etc.
When we reflect on celebrity icons who have popularised the coats in recent times, the most immediate name that comes to mind is that of Catherine aka Kate Middleton, The Duchess of Cambridge. She can frequently be seen in a variety of coat-types including the long woollen over coats, the trenches, the parka, anorak or just plain blazer/jacket etc as per the occasion. Coats in yester-days were just a garment which provided respite from the chilling cold and harsh winter but nowadays it’s an important fashion accessory that defines your personality and gives an additional excuse to look glam and leave a stamp of your personal fashion statement.
From Pinks to the Chequered it’s a must-have fashion piece in our wardrobe.
Sometimes over coats in the afternoon can feel a bit stuffy because with the warm\hot sun over us, it’s bound to get a bit temperate even in winters. So the best thing to be dressed-in in the afternoon would be a stylish blazer which can be either a cotton or pollywool blend. If the temperature is a bit on the chilly side one can also go for a woollen based blazer with oh those oh-so-sexy elbow patches.
For business-casual office wear one can opt for formal pants and a structured blazer preferably in dark colours. And for just an afternoon out with friends one has many options from various quilted jackets, parkas and wind cheaters or just a cloak. From paisley prints to bright polkas, there is a right look for everyone to let there hair down and have some fun.
For your evening outing/partying with friends bring out those Leather babies. There cannot be anything hotter than a sexy leather jacket. And with so many colour options (red, green, brown, blue, and yellow) these days, the dance floor is bound to get on fire.
And as the saying goes, save the best for the last: Comes the regal long over coats which are absolute formal and have a varied range from Wool, Cotton, Brocade, Fur etc. The stylings also vary and some of the popular styles are:
* Trench Coat: A Trench Coat is synonymous to a rain coat. It is made of water proof heavy duty cotton gabardine, leather or poplin. It was first worn during the First World War by British and French soldiers. Interestingly Trench Coats can be worn in rainy season as well as in winters.
* Double Breasted Pea Coat (inspired by the sailors and navy officials): It can be found in straight as well as flared fitting. The female version of this classic style is often referred to as a Jackie O jacket
* Wrap Coat: It is usually held in a place with a belt and has generous amount of cloth used. It is also sometimes referred as The Robe.
* Cape Coat: It is sleeveless with arm holes. This specific style can also go well with Indian attire as they also come with ornate finishing.
* Chesterfield Coat: It is well tailored, slim, with blazer like lapels which comes in velvet or in wool.
So before the temperature turns unbearably chilly go grab your favourite coat-style before they are all sold out. Happy Winters!
1. Office suit – Gabe jacket, 2. Red coat – Diane Von, 3. Gray jacket – The Vanca
