Not giving these up any time soon.

A coat that is.  Oh how I had hoped we would be swanning round in little blazers and jackets by now.  But we're galloping towards the end of the March and nope.  Still freezing.  Coats are definitely still very much a necessary evil for every day.  

But they don't have to be evil... they don't have to be heavy coats (even though I wore a full on fur one yesterday and was still on the chilly side and regretted not wearing a scarf...) and, if you buy cleverly, they can be a cunning investment into the Autumn months.  Yes Spring, you are that tardy, you are forcing me to already mention AUTUMN.   This is wrong on so many levels. 

But right in that I love an excuse to look at coats.  I can't get enough of these.  I may have mentioned this one or twenty times.  I'll admit that I might be a bit of a coataholic.  For which there is no self help group.  However what I will say is that I wear all of mine.  Some I wear more often than others but there is no doubting they are all useful and all have a slightly different look. 

I'll also admit that I don't think there's that much difference between a Spring coat and a Winter coat.  Which isn't something that I probably should have confessed.  On the upside, you can wear them throughout the year.. (she says clutching at straws...)  Especially in these glorious climes (not) we're currently experiencing.  I would say that it looks like it's going to be tropical for the Easter weekend but I'd be lying.  We're currently looking at single figure temperatures and torrential rain. 

Which is mightily mightily depressing.  And if anything justifies a new coat, then it surely, has to be that?

What sort of coat do I recommend?  Well, as I always say, it does depend on your lifestyle.  But the sorts of overcoats that I have here are easily worn for smart or work occasions and double up as weekend wear over jeans or joggers and sneakers.  There is nothing I like more than an item of clothing that works hard for you and these are top of the pile.

Let's start by thinking Spring thoughts and what could be fresher than white.  Ok, off white to be exact but still... This looks perfect with darker winter shades as here - throw on with pastels, distressed or white jeans and sneakers when eventually the sun does come out.

Grayson wool blend coat from American Vintage was £248 now £136.40 

Similar shape at Mango but this time in a camel with grey edging.  A coat that would work all year round actually - certainly you'll get your full moneys worth out of this come the Autumn.  Perfect for those chillier days coming up. 

Cocoon wool blend coat was £119.99 now £79.99



Cocoon in khaki at All Saints.  Khaki for me is simply my favourite Spring colour.  Couldn't get enough of it last year and this year, my obsession with it doesn't seem to have waned at all.  For me it's become a classic neutral that works all year round.  Impeccable with all other neutral shades as well as being a great partner for brighter or pastel shades - it is simply the best (all sing along).

Klein Contrast Coat from All Saints £298



Another two tone cocoon number but this time in grey.  If I didn't a) have two grey coats and b) have a grey two tone blazer, this would be ordered.  Super useful.  This colour genuinely goes with everything and is as perfect in the Spring as it is in the depths of Winter. 

ASOS Coat in Cocoon Fit with Panel Detail £95



Straighter shape now and in pink.  This, like the white one above works so well with your Winter dark shades which we all still seem to be wearing (seeing as none of us want to get frostbite) but also will be ideal when we're able to crack out the lighter colours. 

Lapels cotton coat from Mango in pink was £79.99 now £59.99




Also available in a dark navy again £59.99 (plus they do it in a burnt orange which is a tad out there for me.  Which is ironic seeing as I was sporting full on leopard fur yesterday...)



More navy at Jigsaw and upping the budget here but this is a classic that you would have in your wardrobe for years and years. 

Raw Edge Jersey Coat from Jigsaw £229  This outfit could almost persuade me to dig my skinny blue denim jeans out...




And in the stone 



Now in black and a belted cardigan version which still falls under the category of coats (according to them that is, I'm not going off piste). 

Belt Long Cardigan from Mango £59.99



Longer again and this has my name written all over it.  I have my Whistles bargain one I got in the January sale otherwise I'm not sure I could have resisted one of these grey ones.  

ASOS Coat with Batwing Sleeve in Midi length £100



And then onto slightly smarter.  At the beginning of the year I was desperately looking for one of these and couldn't find one for love nor money.  Now of course, I can't help but trip over them everywhere I look. 

Jigsaw has come up trumps with some great longline coats that could take you from work or over jeans (yes go on, give your jeans an airing - if you've given them up like I have.  Even I've been persuaded...they just seem to be made for a coat like this.  LOVE this look).  Another wardrobe must have that you will get more wear out of than you ever thought possible. 

Single Breasted Wool Coat in navy £249




To see how wearable this style is - head over to All Saints where their styling is impeccable.  *note to self - drag heeled boots out of wardrobe and force trotters into them more regularly*.  I would so love to look like this every day (or even every now and again.  Inspiration right here).

Nehru Coat from All Saints in Dune £278



Slim fit again at ASOS. 

ASOS Coat in Slim Fit £55



How to wear them casually - again perfection and inspiration from Jigsaw. 

Collarless Column Coat £229 from Jigsaw



The texture of this coat is gorgeous. 



Another collarless option but this time in a round neck and in a gorgeously Spring looking pale pink. 

Selected Collarless Coat was £110 now £48



And a couple of slightly out there print coats.  These are definitely not as versatile as neutral coats but they are just perfect for a Spring pick me up.  Naturally the ones I'm most drawn to.  Especially this one.  I could even leave this hanging around my house and it wouldn't look out of place with the decor.  That has to be the best justification ever for a coat purchase (from an utter lazy arse).

ASOS WHITE Overcoat in monochrome stripe was £180 now £90



Or this one.  Be still my beating coat obsession. 

ASOS WHITE Colour Block Ovoid Coat in heavy wool £180



Couldn't not include a leopard one seeing as I'm more than slightly in love with the one I bought last year.

Apponia leopard-jacquard from By Malene Birger was £395 now £185.65




But finishing with one that I think looks so so much more expensive than it is.  I would defy anyone to know this was from ASO and not Sandro or Maje.

ASOS Oversized Coat with fringe detail £75



As thanks for participating in a focus group last week talking about children's outerwear, I was given a new navy coat by Gloverall - the Chesterfield - which I can see myself getting a lot of wear out of this season and into the Autumn.  I had anticipated keeping it to wear cme October.  That'll be a no.


Navy Chesterfield Coat - Gloverall
White layering jersey shirt - Me+Em
Jeans - Zara
Navy crew neck extra fine merino jumper - Uniqlo
White cracked leather Stan Smiths - adidas
Red Soho Disco bag - Gucci

And yesterday - post car purchase. WHOOP.