Monday, September 1

dress COAT

Coats are key garments every fall. They provide protection against harsh weather while making it possible to look chic. But if there was ever a season when their of the outmost importance that is Fall/Winter 2008. If you have been obsessively going through the latest Vogues, Elles and Bazaars you surely have noticed the slightly overused and rather confusing term statement coats. As I see it, coats are and have always been one of the most important parts of the winter outfits as they are the first part of them to be spotted. However, those who coined the term do deserve some credit as coats for this season are particularly characteristic. The widest range of cuts, colours and patterns make an appearance, but it is the big coats that seem to have caught most of the attention. Whether it is puffy, slim or faux-fur they are trying to fetch attention from dresses, covering them most extraordinarily —have a look.

Let me, then, start with my favourites. I ought to admit that narrowing it down to only three was tough, as I am quite keen on coats. Eventually I went for these three. YSL’s spotless winter collection was sure to provide some extraordinaire pieces like this black coat. I love how the zip and the side pockets add some dynamism to the sleek design. Ghesquiere’s very fashion-forward vision of a coat transforms the piece into a very structured patent leather garment that brings a piece of the future to the present. And last on my top three is Stella McCartney’s oversize version of the classic pea coat. Lapels and sleeves widen up working perfectly with the length and colour. All three garments do not seem to be covering anything, giving the impression that they might have been created as a warm version of the summer dresses.

Continuing this tour through the season’s best coats we find Burberry Prorsum’s reinventions of a classic coat and a mackintosh. In the first case, it is a slim coat, a more body-conscious one. The second one, on the contrary, is wider on the body and sleeves leaving more room for imagination. In addition to the previously talked-about coat Stella McCartney came up with this striking bell-shaped coat. A quite chic and feminine proposal, if you ask me.

With winter, all types of rich faux-animal skins come back. Hermès keeps sticking to its idiosyncrasy and we like it. This delightfully sophisticated leather and fur coat will give satisfaction to both young and old. Dolce & Gabbana’s über-talked-about collection provided this sleeveless furry option for the cold —it will not go under the radar and will add texture and colour to your outfit. When talking chic Carolina Herrera must not be left apart. This full-length coat introduces movement through the subtle ruffles on the sleeves and at the bottom and still keeps it rich and interesting with the fur around the neck.

Nobody is capable of elaborating more perfect coats that the British —so it is no surprise that Burberry and McCartney introduced the most innovative coats. Christopher Bailey plays around with volume and metallic finishes. They are quite futuristic yet wearable pieces. Stella McCartney, on her side, goes super short and uses light draping to create an amusing puffiness.

Winter is also the best time of the year to wear as much black as we wish to. However this does not mean boring, au contraire. Lanvin, for instance, proposes a superb balloon-shaped coat with pockets up and down and with a belt to show off your figure. Hermès produced a spotless double-chested coat just over the knee. A very versatile option for both the office and those desired stylish weekends. For a more updated coat version think Brian Reyes. The designer leaves room for your creativity with the short sleeves and the slightly open v-neck —dress or coat?

And last, some more visions of the key winter garment. When looking for plaid and tartan D&G is most likely to be the best option. The Italian couple messes around with big and smaller checks and colours achieving outstanding pieces that combine classicism and modernity in perfect unison. If black is the king of winter, brown is the prince. Personally, I love a chocolate coat —take is as you want. Derek Lam merges coat and trench in this favourite hue of mine looking very F/W08 with the length. And the last coat is also a mix, but of a parka and a trench this time. Brian Reyes is very right when choosing khaki for winter —it matches everything and effortlessly adds some colour.

This season, are you sticking to the basics or are you trying something new?

[Pictures credit: Style.com]


I’m off.

12 comments:

your sassy reporter said...

Because I'm petite I'll stick to the cropped jacket. you have an interesting blog. I actually added you on my blogroll. see you around!

Alya said...

Since it doesnt get really cold where I'm from, I don't indulge in buying coats.

However, if I did live in a cool place, I would buy classic coats in unique and stylish shapes, but in solid and dark colors. That way they wouldnt look out of style after a couple of seasons.

I'm trying something new this year. Lots of dresses and vests and colorful clothing. Usually my winter wardrobe is jeans, boots and alternating the tops.

alluretone said...

balenciaga, ysl, the metallic burberry.. oo give me!!

i just got my coat this weekend. it's similar to the ysl shape and it's very black. though id love to wear that balenciaga to my school- the looks i would get haha!

Anqui said...

Definitely trying something new this year... I actually promised myself I'd avoid black in my choice of coat, but it's just impossible! Black is THE winter color. Loving Hermès...

Ray TETAUIRA said...

the first three black looks are the best to me !! black is back and the futuristic cuts and shapes are so in !

Mary-Laure said...

Give me the peacoat!

Myriam said...

I might continue with my white coat (might not be as white as it was once though..) or back to black. I want a red tartan coat too!! The ysl coat is so nice!!
xx

steffie said...

i like your blog! x

hila said...

I love long coats - I think they are romantic :)
Great post!

Rebecca, The Clothes Horse said...

I'm addicted to jackets, but one coat is enough for me. It's knee length, plaid and vintage inspired. ^_^

Coco's Tea Party said...

I love this post. All my favourite coats from the collections you showed. I can't wait for a bigger selection of coats to get into the shops.

Char Ruiz Manjarrez said...

I love coats always have. Great post. Burberry is getting so good, I love it.

C.