This blog post contains affiliate/ad links

..the one that is making all the headlines this season is the check version.  These are EVERYWHERE.  You can't move without hitting a coat of the checked variety and there's pretty much one for everyone. 

These aren't, however, new to me (or many others I would think).  You will either love them or hate them BUT - I do think there is a version that you might like out there.  As when it comes to checks, the varieties are endless.  Bright checks, neutral checks, big checks, small checks, chunky coats, faux fur coats, trenches, jackets, belted or shirt style. 

The key to finding one that you love is - in my book - relatively simple. Identify the style that you like.  You will know what sort of style works for you - what's the style you wear most often and that goes with the majority of your wardrobe.  Or what sort of coat do you have a hole in your wardrobe, that a new checked coat would fill.

And then - the check itself.  You will know when you find a check that you love.  It will fill you will JOY.  You will look at it and you will utterly love it.   I have a few and they're the sort of check that you come back to, time and time and again.  When you look at it, the shades should make you happy.  That's it! It's as easy as that.  Yes, it also helps if it goes with the rest of your wardrobe but I'm going to hazard a guess that if you do genuinely love it, it will also work with the other things that you already have.  And if not - just keep the rest of your outfit very neutral.

Without further ado, let's see what is out there.

Starting with my favourites which are the longer ones...

This whilst being super striking is actually also very versatile and verging on a neutral.  Undoubtedly one that would last the test of time.

YAS tailored longline checked coat in camel with tie waist £160

ASOS DESIGN TALL Neon Maxi Coat was £95 now £61.75

ASOS DESIGN Neon Check Maxi Coat was £95 now £41.80

Two longer slightly lighter ones from Glamorous at Topshop.

Green Check Duster Coat at Topshop £85

Kin Utility Check Coat from John Lewis £169

Liquorish straight coat in navy and beige check was £130 now £78

ASOS DESIGN Curve Balloon Sleeve Check Coat was £75 now £54

This is a mid length one in the sale with over 60% off.  It's a Helen Berman coat at ASOS and interestingly, it's not perhaps the styling that I would pare with the coat... a plain white tee and jeans and this would be amazing on warmer Autumn days.  With a navy knit, jeans and trainers or chunky boots, ideal for cooler times that are a coming.

Helene Berman belted coat was £210 now £74

And then there are the shacket styles... 

Object longline shacket from ASOS £90

Wool-blend Coat at H&M £99.99

Boel Coat from Weekday £110

hush Marjo Check Jacket in Blue £169

Another belted version at In Wear in the sale at ASOS.

In Wear Silju Jacket was £180 now £120

Checked shacket at La Redoute in red and black £58

Check faux shearling coat from Stradivarius £59.99

Checked Boyfriend Shacket at La Redoute £48 with 35% off using the code AUTUMN

And a black and white classic trucker number from Warehouse on offer.  To add a more feminine edge, maybe wear over a black dress with knee high boots... or wide leather cropped trews, a black polo neck and black mules.

Check trucker jacket from Warehouse was £79 now £53.30

And I am sure there are more... I will be hunting them down and bringing them to you as soon as I find them.  That's not the end of the coats though but I shall be taking a break and bringing you the weekend's special that we find ourselves wearing during the week now - the sweatshirt!

 This blog post contains affiliate links

So it's a well known fact that leopard is a neutral - so it's not that.  

Nope, we're talking camo.  Sorry, I should have said that I"m not dissing the leopard - still feeling a lot of love for the big cat but camo has taken pride of place as my new favourite neutral. 

Ok I hear you at the back - yes it's a print, but BUT BUT, it also doubles up as a neutral.  I will say that I do usually prefer to pair it with another print that also has a hint of green to it but believe me - it works. 

They're also amazing for layering.  I love the look of a hoodie underneath with wide leg trousers and trainers.  OR the other option for when it does get cooler is to layer over it.  They "tend" to be mostly quite lightweight so are ideal to wear underneath an oversized coat or long fluid trench.  And then of course there are of course the parkas.  Not too many of them around at the moment but I'll keep an eye on them - I have one from Topshop that's a couple of years old and it's been a life saver in the rain.

I have two jackets that have been superb during lockdown for me.  One which is cropped but quite oversized and has been amazing for over dresses and - actually pretty much anything. The second is longer and slightly more fitted with an adjustable drawstring waist and again works for so many different outfits.

New Look again appear to come up trumps.

Khaki Camo Belted Lightweight Jacket from New Look was £27.99 now £17.00

Khaki Camo 4 Pocket Lightweight Belted Jacket was £29.99 now £19

Tall Khaki Camo Belted Jacket from New Look was £29.99 now £22.49

Longerline with the adjustable waist band that I have in mine and that I love.

Superdry Rookie Cascade Jacket was £89 now £45

Now there are other shades other than a khaki green. 

The much lighter shades.  These work so well with Autumnal shades of camel, beige and creams.  And pale pink. 

This has to be the biggest bargain of them all at AllSaints.

AllSaints Sol Camouflage Denim Shirt Jacket was £118 now £59

Olive Camo 4 Pocket Lightweight Jacket from New Look was £29.99 now £22.49

A paler shade in a cropped style now - ideal for wearing over long dresses.

Superdry Utility Crop Jacket £59.99

Paler again in a shacket style at Dorothy Perkins.

Multi Colour Camouflage Shacket from Dorothy Perkins £45

I'm assuming by Sea Camo they mean it has a hint of blue to it?  That's what I can see anyway.

Superdry Riley Cropped Jacket was £64.99 now £32.50

AllSaints Finch Camo Jacket was £148 now £74

And it's always worth looking at the men's ones too.

Mennace parka jacket from ASOS was £90 now £17.25

Cotton twill parka from H&M £39.99

Sandals - Birkenstock from Universe of Us (ss20)

Bag - Anna Pugh Bags (ss20)

Jacket - The Kooples from Bicester Village (sale aw19)

Sunglasses - Walter + Herbert (4yrs ago)

Headbag - H&M (2yrs ago)

Dress - Ridley London (gift ss20)

Bag - Anna Pugh Bags (ss20)

Sunglasses - Walter + Herbert (3yrs ago)

Sandals - Zara (ss19)

Sandals - Zara (ss20)

Now it does appear that we're heading for a teensy tiny Indian Summer for the next couple of days BUT I'm still planning on wearing sandals well into September.  And I've been saying forever that I'm going to be doing the sandals - or do I go straight into the boots... Hmmm I'll see.