The Winter Coat Edition: Stylish and Warm Winter Coats for Women

In a country where winter and cold occupy most of the year, trapping warmth around your body is essential. From the right coat to the perfect pair of tights that actually keep you warm.

Warmth and style don’t always go together in a winter coat. Too often, you find one that looks incredible but feels like wearing a sheet. Or another that’s warm but lacks a certain chic.

A good winter coat centres around beautiful tailoring and shaping for sure. The functionality to keep me warm is essential, though I am finding this is becoming less and less so. Pockets are a definite godsend. Fashionable an added bonus and compliments while wearing it, manna.

My Top Winter Coats Are Both Stylish and Warm

Well, I don't promise to have the fix of fashion styling and warmth but I've curated a list of coats that keep me warm. Keep me looking fashionable and continue to garner me compliments.

As much as we'd love to do away with our coats, the temperatures currently rival those of my fridge freezer. But once summer does arrive, I'll be swapping my coats for this maxi summer dress that never fails.

1) Kaliko - My Winter's Staple

Invested in this classic women’s winter coat. This piece from Kaliko proves that warmth and good tailoring can go hand in hand. And when they do weather the years.

If a good coat is essential, this coat is it. This Kaliko coat and I have been in a long-term relationship. Kaliko was an occasion wear brand, 'was', because the company no longer exists. I cannot pinpoint how long I've had this coat, but it is nearly as old as my daughter.

It's seen me to the office, after-work drinks with friends, the two-exes-ago distant cousin's wedding reception and walks on the coast. That it remains my go-to winter coat for when nothing else would do, says it all.

A classic that has survived the seasons after season, wear, tear and manages never to look outdated. Its the oversize collar and slip pockets. It marries a simple design and beautiful tailoring with functionality. Unbuttoned, its relaxed styling serves as a wrap coat too, where the belt cinches it all together at the waist. It moves with me with ease.

They truly don’t make coats like this anymore with beautiful tailoring and quality that lasts years.

I am not yet ready to replace this coat, but Hobbs Winter Coat Collection has something similar in their Gerrie Wrap Coat if I were to.

Style: Wrap over lapels, single-breasted, removable belt, slanted pockets, Investment

Ratings - Fit: 5 out of 5 / Quality: 5 out of 5 / Value for Money: 5 out of 5 / Style: 5 out of 5 / Material: 5 out of 5

Looking for something more colourful? Keep reading for my boldest coat choice below. Next Dopamine Coat, a true winter mood booster.

2) Zara - Winter Classic

It is the cut of this one for me, a tailored, slim feminine silhouette. The classic cream, worn with anything, to any engagement, night or day. For a super chic winter look, I often wear it open and layer it over a contrasting oversized scarf from Zara.

Sleek and stylish, the black buttoned sleeves offer a timeless look. This style too, is often seen on Zara's men's coats.

With its ease of style and versatility, this Zara coat has also, become a wardrobe favourite.

Style: Single-breasted, Regular length, contrasting collar

Ratings - Fit: 5 out of 5 / Quality: 5 out of 5 / Value for Money: 5 out of 5 / Style: 5 out of 5 / Material: 5 out of 5

3) Next - Dopamine in a Coat

I mean, just how hot is this pink? Stylish and vibrant, this coat is crafted from soft, comfortable fabric and feels as good as it looks. Nicely padded, it is warm. You feel the heat gathering immediately after putting it on. And with enough room to wear over a thick jumper, makes it ideal for buttoning into on those truly colder days.

The colour, energy giving, this is all the fun in the fairground outerwear. It is certain to catch all the eyes. As well as it's hot pink, it's outsized revere collar pops too.

This Next Single Breasted Button Coat With Quilted Lining runs big, but if you like it as much as I do, it is still available to purchase.

Style: Button fastening cuff, Single breast, hip pockets, quilted lining

Ratings - Fit: 5 out of 5 / Quality: 5 out of 5 / Value for Money: 5 out of 5 / Style: 5 out of 5 / Material: 5 out of 5

Love a winter coat with a pop of colour? Check out Boden's Winter Coat Collection

4) Karen Millen - Going Military

To this day, I've regretted not buying a Karen Millen Military styled Winter Coat years and years ago. My university wages simply couldn't stretch that far. I remember standing in the Regent Street store, fixing and a twirling in the mirror, trying to justify this amazing deep navy coat with gold buttons. Italian wool, sharp shoulders, everything. It sat a silhouette on me.

Then, as if fate wanted to rub it in, a guy walked past, glanced at me and said, 'Buy the coat — it was made for you.'

As you now know, I never bought it. Decades later, I bought this one.

Styled with a row of buttons stitched down its double breast, epaulettes and flaps, this version still carries that signature military strength. Even without gold-tone buttons, it makes a strong statement. It sits slim over the body, refusing to hug any curves I may have. When buttoned up, it cuts a little tight across the bust — and I find the material not so much on the winter-warm side.

Looking for a slender silhouette? This Karen Millen winter coat gives that effect.

Buttoned-up, you have that military look.

“Eyes right, salute.”

Style: Large patch pockets, Wool buckle belted, longline, epaulettes, hook and bar closure at the neck

Ratings - Fit: 4 out of 5 / Quality: 4 out of 5 / Value for Money: 3 out of 5 / Style: 4 out of 5 / Material: 3 out of 5

5 Hobbs - Signature Pattern On

I was forever stealing glances at this one. You know that new office crush you can’t help but notice? That’s how I felt about this coat.

This is the Hobbs Peggy belted. A pattern and colour combination that makes what would have ordinarily been just another simple coat, exciting. Generous pockets and a collar you can wrap your neck in. Although this coat easily becomes a classic, it has one or two drawbacks. First, it is so long that I need to find a tailor to shorten it to a reasonable length. Second, it is not the warmest. I can probably wear it into spring as a trench, making it multi-seasonal.

Despite those, this coat has garnered so many compliments. It'd pay for its tailoring if I put £1 in a jar for every compliment I have received thus far.

I can see it hanging on for the long-term. Can I be in a relationship with two coats? Time will tell.

Style: Double-breast, oversized collar, belted waist, slanted pockets, Full length, large lapel

Ratings - Fit: 4 out of 5 / Quality: 5 out of 5 / Value for Money: 3 out of 5 / Style: 5 out of 5 / Material: 4 out of 5

Choosing My Winter Coat

In choosing the right winter coat, I am always thinking about functionality, layering room and my your day-to-day needs. Are the pockets, slip pockets for easy hand warming access? Does the collar fold for a funnel neck finish, locking in the warmth? Is the hem split, for ease of move and a tie-belt for a quick wrap up and go?

Wool or padded styles offer more warmth, while tailored or wrap coats keep my outfit looking slick. And... classic colours like black, camel or cream offers maximum versatility.

What’s Your Winter Outerwear Style?

Puffer coat, Longline padded, Cape Coat, duffle coat? Whatever it is, the temperatures are closer to freezer-level. Summer is no time soon, so get the maximum wear out of those stylish winter coats.

What are you wearing as outerwear right now? Are your winter coats in rotation?