Do you follow Andrea Cheong on Instagram or TikTok? If you don’t, you should. She has become a trusted and approachable authority in an arena that many find daunting to step into—sustainable fashion. On her platforms, Cheong breaks it down into easily digestible, bite-size pieces of information to arm you with more sensible shopping tactics. With her wealth of knowledge and very good taste, we just had to knock on her virtual door. In this month’s column, she guides us through the high-street coats she actually thinks are worth investing in this winter. Take it away Andrea…
The world of outerwear isn’t as simple as it seems. Those of us in the UK know that our temperamental weather means that there is a demand for variations in our coats and jackets. From belted wool styles, quilted, puffer and double breasted full length numbers, it’s not just about style, there’s a huge element of practicality in there too. But where do we even start? I went to COS, a premium high-street brand that is relatively reliable in its offering of quality clothing, to find coats that are worth investing in. After checking each over in real life and reading composition labels, I’ll tell you exactly what they’re good for so that you have realistic expectations of what you’re buying. Not all coats are equal and they are certainly not made for the same purposes!
This is one of the few full-length coats that COS offers that is 100% wool (bar the interior, which is undisclosed but very clearly backed with a synthetic which is quite normal). The funnel-neck detail provides defense from undesirable weather, and the beautifully constructed interior of buttons means that the coat holds a straight and minimalist silhouette. It’s particularly useful for chilly, windy conditions as there are no openings – unless styled that way – and it looks very smart. Style it with knee high boots and statement earrings, and the coat is chic enough to carry the entire outfit.
The robe style has been incredibly popular for a while now. It usually features minimal hardware and a simple belted closure. Because of the lack of complexity in styles like this, I’d suggest focusing on the weight of the material – too thin and it won’t do much good against single digit weather. I’d also look at the purity of the fabric with a focus on 100% natural wool. COS has brought this out in the most gorgeous rust coloured beige and classic black. The coats are a mix of wool and lyocell. Lyocell is a relatively new innovation of manufacturing viscose, a semi-synthetic made of wood pulp, in a more circular way. This means that creating this fibre involves recycling almost all of the chemicals used and sourcing its cellulose from renewable forests, to avoid desertification and polluting the environment. On the plus side, it is a more affordable option for those looking for a timeless coat but the only consideration is that the smaller amount of wool means that this is very much a transitional piece and won’t be suitable for truly cold winter weather.
The polished-ness of this coat with that subtle pinstripe flair is just the thing I’d want to see on the morning commute when I’m in need of a little brightening up. It’s also just the thing to throw over an evening outfit when you’re wondering how to still keep the outfit elegant without freezing all night. It seems that none of us are quite over the popular trend of the scarf coat and fair enough when there are styles this cute. For this full length outerwear, the lyocell added to the wool enhances the drape of the material, so it sort of resembles a cape and it definitely looks more expensive than it actually is. This won’t be the warmest option as there’s wool in the mix but it’s not particularly thick or high in percentage, so this is really ideal for those who are usually popping in and out of transport.
If you love the look of a scarf coat but don’t want to commit to a full length statement, this is a beautiful and pared back option in a deep navy. A coat like this will look great with literally anything, although this is again, a transitional option. The 60% wool and 40% lyocell mix is lower impact than a synthetic blend, but it means that this leans towards style more than substance in terms of keeping you warm. The plus point with this piece and all of the wool used in the coats featured here is that they come with the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) certification, which is a protective measure for merino wool sheep, ensuring ethical shearing practices.
Most of us just want a coat we can grab and pull on, without thinking too much about it. As long as the weather stays in the high single digits, this is an ideal silhouette. While it’s not the warmest composition, a mix of wool and lyocell, the oversized style means that it’s easy to throw over thick layers. It has a boxy shape and a lovely brushed wool texture, which would look great with a cream turtleneck jumper and baggy jeans.
