Five coats to look for in the January sales
Looking for a new winter coat in the January sales, but stuck for inspiration? Our fashion editor Karen Skagerlind picks five classic styles to choose from.
It’s January! Happy New Year to you all and no doubt you’ve already been hitting the stores or trawling the internet over the ‘Twixmas’ period eyeing up those bargains.
As more and more of us opt to do our sale shopping from the comfort of our own home, with the savvy shopper already signed up to their favourite preview sales to avoid the stampedes and more importantly secure their size, I’ve put together my top five styles of coat to look for in the January sales.
My shopping tips to get the most from the January sales
Generally speaking fashion retailers have not had the best of a full price retail season, and a large majority of brands went reduced well before the more traditional January sales to entice shoppers into purchasing. But whenever you decide to shop it means there will be a lot of stock that will eventually go into clearance, which is good news for the consumer.
However a word of caution: with the instability of the economy, Brexit in turmoil and overindulgence at Christmas it is still wise to do your research, and double check your current inventory, before any sales purchase takes place.
And if you just can’t afford it now then hold off; it won’t be long before mid season sales appear.
My rule of thumb for sale shopping is don’t buy anything you wouldn’t have bought if you had the funds when it was full price. Don’t be tempted to buy because something is cheap. Most fashion items that seem such a bargain are probably hot trend items that don’t have wardrobe longevity, so avoid these at all cost!
Five coats to look for in the January sales
Ideally you’ll spend on wardrobe staples and it’s better to buy higher price items, like coats, leather bags and boots while the sales are on.
The biggest clothing retailers Marks and Spencer, Debenhams, Next, Zara and John Lewis all have markdowns so I’ve selected a few that I think will be worth the spend, and see you well into 2018. My basic outerwear options for any wardrobe include a trench coat, a tailored wool coat, a puffa or down coat, a leather jacket and a classic camel coloured coat.
I do also recommend an animal print coat or bright statement coat when you need to add texture or colour to a basic outfit. Here are my picks on sale now.
1) The trench coat
The trench coat is a perennial outerwear option you can be confident investing in. A lighter weight version will get a lot of wear come spring like this Massimo Dutti short trench with bow detail that is now £79.95 (from £139).
Or you could invest in the Karolina trench from Hobbs, with all the traditional features of a mac but in a heavier wool mix to wear through the wintery weather. It comes in a rich dark evergreen, which as the name suggests is still a great neutral colour to refresh your current AW wardrobe, now £199 (from £299).
2) The tailored wool coat
Always opt for a tailored wool coat for a smart workwear cover up or to wear when you need something more formal, if you tend towards an off duty look.
I love this statement coat by Preen at Debenhams, with the grey toning down the contrast of the bright red panel. Still available in most sizes it is now £75, a substantial reduction of £75, (down from £150).
2) The classic caramel coat
You also can’t go wrong investing in a classic camel coloured wool or wool mix coat and there are quite a few I would recommend.
This Jigsaw Grace coat is made from 100% wool and has a more contemporary cocoon shape. Now £288 (from £360).
While still an investment, even though it’s been further reduced, I would say this longer line Grace & Oliver ‘Eden’ coat will earn its keep over time. Made from Italian virgin wool it looks more expensive than the current £399 sale price tag.
If this brand of outerwear is new to you then I urge you to look at the rest of the Grace & Oliver collection, available at John Lewis. Launched in 2014 they offer contemporary outerwear made from the finest quality Italian fabrics and I especially love The ‘Zoe’ animal jacquard jacket, now £149 (from £299) and ‘Astrid’ Cocoon red coat, now £229 (from £429).
4) The leather jacket
I’ll always recommend buying a leather biker jacket in the sales, but this seasons on trend item the aviator jacket has put the leather biker jacket in the shade for now.
If you still want to buy into the trend then be quick. I suggest avoiding the coloured options readily available in the sales and opt for the Zara version that kick started the trend for the masses. Now a bargain £69.99 (down from £89.99).
(The sought after Acne ‘Velocite’ jacket that inspired the trend is a classic, and at £2,100 is not likely to be in the sales!)
5) The puffa jacket
I would still recommend buying a puffa coat or jacket, which has taken on many guises over the last year. But do stick to the more conventional styles in the sales as the ‘trend’ options are harder to pull off!
Since getting a puppy, my Uniqlo coat has become my go-to option for weathering wet weather and muddy paws. The ultralight down stretch hooded coat is perfect as I don’t get too warm when I’ve picked up a pace, and I can wipe it down if it gets splashed with dirt.
As it’s already such good value at £89.90 it isn’t in the sales, but this similar black, lightweight down hooded coat is. Now £59.90 (from £89.90).
I hope I’ve given you some January sale shopping inspiration if you’re searching for a new coat. I’m now scouring the SS18 high street collections so I can pick out the best of the new season and keep you up to date with more fashion articles coming over the next few months.
For now enjoy welcoming in the New Year!
