As the winter chill settles in, the hunt for the perfect coat becomes a fashion-forward pursuit. This season, outerwear goes beyond practicality, merging luxurious materials, tailored silhouettes, and statement designs that can elevate any look, day or night. Whether you're braving the city streets or slipping into something warm for a cosy getaway, this guide has everything you need to make the season’s essential style investment. From plush puffers to timeless trench coats, let’s dive into the key pieces that define this winter. Winter 2024’s Must-Have Coat Trends For 2024, coats are all about balancing elegance with versatility. We’re seeing classic silhouettes with an edge—think sleek trenches with layered detailing, barn jackets channelling countryside chic, and ’70s-inspired shaggy coats for that bit of retro flair. The season’s colour palette is more understated, with earthy tones like khaki, charcoal, chocolate, and deep black creating a sophisticated yet versatile look. On the runway, Alexander McQueen and 16Arlington highlighted the big, bold black wool coat, embodying timeless elegance and strength. Meanwhile, Totême’s scarf coat remains a high-street darling, blending style with practicality, making its way into accessible brands like M&S and Cos. This winter, you’ll find pieces that are as perfect for an office day as they are for a weekend escape, ensuring longevity and value for every look. The Key Pieces You’ll Find This Season Expect timeless outerwear silhouettes in wool, cashmere, leather, and padded fabrics to rule this season. Power-shouldered wool coats add a touch of drama, while retro-inspired bombers and sleek puffers in neutral and vibrant shades bring playful contrasts. Look to Balenciaga and Loewe for modern leather bomber jackets and Alaïa for sculptural black coats that turn heads. Miuccia Prada at Miu Miu, too, explored the versatility of coats in longline styles with refined detailing. Brands to Watch for Winter’s Best Investment Coats For a true luxury experience, classic brands like The Row, Saint Laurent, and Prada excel in creating investment-worthy coats with enduring appeal. If you’re after something just as stylish but more budget-friendly, Filippa K and Totême have offerings that blend quality and minimalism, while Cos, Arket, Massimo Dutti, and Uniqlo provide excellent high-street alternatives. How Much to Invest in a Winter Coat? A great winter coat is worth the investment—it’s the piece that completes and complements the rest of your wardrobe. A well-made coat should retain its shape, colour, and relevance for years to come. Think of it as a wardrobe anchor that can tie together nearly any outfit and add polish to any look. For those on a budget, finding quality doesn’t have to break the bank. Brands like Mango, Zara, and New Look offer chic, affordable options that look great and fit well into daily life. Plus, keeping sustainability in mind, these pieces are likely to serve you across multiple seasons if chosen thoughtfully. Below you will find our favourite picks: Fringe wool-blend coat - Mango Buy it here - £229.99 Wool-Blend Blindseam Coat - Bridget Buy it here - £378.00 Funnel-Collar Wool Coat - & other stories Buy it here - £275.00 Seamless Down Long Coat - Uniqlo Buy it here - £159.90 Tailored Long Coat ZW - Zara Buy it here - £149.00 Embroidered wool-blend scarf coat - Toteme Buy it here - £1030.00 Wool and cashmere coat - Alexander McQueen Buy it here - £3500.00 RHW wool coat - Wardrobe.NYC Buy it here - £2155.00 Le Manteau Caruso virgin wool twill coat - Jacquemus Buy it here - £1690.00 WOOL BLEND DOUBLE-BREASTED COAT - Zara Buy it here - £109.00 Wool Blend Wrap Coat - Uniqlo Buy it here - £109.90

In early August, we had the opportunity to speak with Criminal Damage co-founder Monty Aytan, who shared insights into the brand's evolution and future plans. You can find our interview here . Our conversation revealed the brand’s renewed ambition: to make its mark on the global streetwear scene with a distinctly British identity. Criminal Damage, born in London, is reasserting itself as a cultural mainstay with a collection designed to bridge classic British sportswear with modern streetwear. Their latest release, the "Track & Field" collection for Autumn/Winter 2024, draws inspiration from the world of sports, curating iconic silhouettes and graphics reminiscent of British pitches and post-game traditions. The collection incorporates reimagined varsity logos, nostalgic ticket stub patterns, and a bold "91" – an homage to Criminal Damage’s founding year and its legacy within the streetwear world. You can shop the collection here . From varsity jackets and training tops to football shirts and baseball jerseys, each piece serves as a tribute to team sports with a contemporary edge. The ticket stub repeat prints and reworked varsity logos create a sense of familiarity and pride, resonating with both long-time fans and a new generation of streetwear enthusiasts.

John Galliano Autumn/Winter 2018 Gucci Autumn/Winter 2018 Gareth Pugh Spring/Summer 2012 Dior Spring/Summer 2006 Dior Autumn/Winter 2008 Ludovic De Saint Sernin Autumn/Winter 2021 Richard Quinn Autumn/Winter 2018 Rick Owens Autumn/Winter 2019 Comme Des Garcons Spring/Summer 2012 Christian Lacroix Couture Autumn/Winter 2005 Thierry Mugler Spring/Summer 1998 Vivienne Westwood Autumn/Winter 2020 Calvin Klein Spring/Summer 2018 Alexander McQueen Autumn/Winter 2009 Dilara Findikoglu Autumn/Winter 2020 Alexander McQueen Autumn/Winter 2001 Gucci Autumn/Winter 2021 Maison Martin Margiela Spring/Summer 2006 Marc Jacobs Autumn/Winter 2016 Martine Sitbon Spring/Summer 1993 Gareth Pugh Autumn/Winter 2017

While most of us are busy figuring out our Halloween costumes or stressing over Christmas shopping, the fashion world has moved on to its favorite holiday: the Met Gala. Yes, it feels like the last one just happened, but the Met Gala runs on its own calendar—one that’s all about outdoing the year before, with bigger themes and more outrageous outfits. And now, the 2025 theme is official: Superfine: Tailoring Black Style . This year’s theme was announced on October 9, 2024, and it’s all about celebrating Black dandyism—specifically, how Black men’s fashion has shaped style from the 18th century to now. The exhibition takes its cues from Monica L. Miller’s 2009 book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity . Basically, it’s a deep dive into how Black men throughout history have mixed European tailoring with African aesthetics to create something totally unique and deeply influential. The Costume Institute’s spring 2025 exhibition will include garments, paintings, photographs, and more, all tracing the evolution of Black dandyism. And according to Andrew Bolton, the Costume Institute’s curator in charge, this show is a major step toward diversifying the museum’s fashion exhibits. “The Met is committed to making fashion more accessible and inclusive,” Bolton said, noting that Black designers are at the forefront of redefining how we think about identity in fashion. As for who’s co-chairing the gala this year? Pharrell Williams is back—this time alongside Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, and A$AP Rocky, with Anna Wintour holding her usual spot. Oh, and LeBron James will be joining as an honorary co-chair. No big deal, just one of the world’s most famous athletes helping to steer fashion’s most important night. What should you expect on the red carpet? Tailoring will be huge. Think sharp suits, luxurious fabrics, and details that reference everything from Harlem Renaissance style to contemporary Black designers like Grace Wales Bonner and the late Virgil Abloh. If you’re already dreaming of who’ll wear what, imagine Janelle Monáe or Zendaya showing up in an androgynous tux with a modern twist—or maybe Pharrell pulling out something wild from the Louis Vuitton atelier. But beyond just looking great, the theme comes with a political edge. Black dandyism has always been about more than just clothes—it’s a statement about self-expression, resistance, and reclaiming dignity through style. So, don’t be surprised if we see looks that tap into that history and make a bigger point. The exhibition, which opens on May 10 and runs through October 26, 2025, will be the first men-focused show since Men in Skirts in 2003, and it’s already generating buzz for how it tackles race, gender, and fashion. With seven months to go before the big night, the clock is ticking—and everyone’s wondering just how next year’s stars will interpret Superfine: Tailoring Black Style on the world’s most exclusive red carpet.

Miuccia Prada’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection offers an intriguing exploration of contrast and individuality. Alongside co-creative director Raf Simons, Prada reinterpreted the concept of uniforms, infusing them with bright shades of yellow, orange, apple green, and Pepto pink. Circular cutouts and Space Age metallic rings added dimension, creating a blend of retro and forward-thinking design. Layered sheer dresses, polos, and metallic bralettes played against classic silhouettes, bringing an element of surprise without overtly challenging convention. The collection balanced striking details with more understated elements. There were bold pieces like argyle sweaters with metal-adorned skirts and sundresses with exaggerated straps, but also simpler, modular items for more conservative tastes. Accessories, a signature of Prada, featured oversized sunglasses, hybrid visor hats, and metallic belts paired with low-rise looks. The reappearance of tights-as-pants suggested a potential shift in silhouettes, hinting at a change from the dominance of wide-leg trousers. Prada Beauty, under the direction of Lynsey Alexander, took an individualized approach to makeup, creating a variety of looks tailored to each model. Some had their freckles enhanced, others their sun-kissed glow amplified. This attention to individuality mirrored the theme of the collection, with a focus on personal identity in a world often shaped by algorithmic uniformity. A single model with a bold black lip contrasted the otherwise natural tones, providing a subtle but effective contrast. Prada’s SS25 collection reflects the intersection of structure and creativity in the digital age. The designs seem to challenge the increasingly rigid frameworks of modern life by embracing personal expression and unpredictability. Through vibrant colours, unexpected textures, and a mix of both nostalgic and contemporary references, Prada’s vision acknowledges the complexity of the current cultural moment while emphasizing the importance of staying true to individual identity.

The Moschino Spring/Summer 2025 collection, under the direction of Adrian Appiolaza, marked a pivotal moment in his tenure at the Italian house. Though it’s technically his third runway show, this collection is perhaps his most defined take on Moschino’s women’s wear. Appiolaza stepped into the role last year and has steadily evolved the brand, staying true to its playful DNA while bringing his own perspective to the forefront. For this season, he played with everyday objects, transforming the mundane into imaginative and quirky fashion moments. Dubbed "Piece of Sheet," the collection leaned into nostalgia, reinterpreting familiar household items as whimsical fashion statements. The show’s setting, a vast room draped in oversized white sheets, immediately evoked memories of childhood laundry days but with a grander, more theatrical twist. This theme of exaggeration continued throughout the collection, from billowing silhouettes to accessories that turned everyday items, like a bleach bottle, into fashion-forward pieces. Model Alex Consani embodied this playful spirit, carrying a bleach bottle handbag while donning a white dress inspired by the same household item. Appiolaza’s approach has diverged from that of his predecessor, Jeremy Scott, known for his outlandish and bold designs. Instead, Appiolaza is making Moschino more wearable without sacrificing its wit and humour. He revisited the archives of Franco Moschino, drawing from personal childhood sketches to create a nostalgic yet modern collection. This blend of whimsical nostalgia and contemporary tailoring was most evident in pieces like a classic black sheath dress reimagined with printed silk housecoats, and a clever play on words with the slogan "TUBINO OR NOT TUBINO" on a white dress. The collection wasn’t without its edge. Deconstructed flannel suits added a punk touch, while accessories such as mismatched polka dot gloves and bold prints brought a rebellious flair. Appiolaza’s Moschino continues to balance the fine line between high fashion and everyday wear, proving that even the most ordinary objects can be elevated to extraordinary status with a touch of creativity.