Outerwear you need to keep an eye on this season

Outerwear you need to keep an eye on this season

20 October, 2022

Autumn is here, and it’s that time of the year when we take out all the jackets and coats from our wardrobes and start thinking about buying new ones. Outerwear is always worth spending extra money on for quality items that can last forever. Furthermore, jackets and coats don’t fall out of trend so easily.

But, how to choose the right one? First, you want to sort out the jackets made for the mid-season from the coats for the winter, so you may get a better idea of what you really need. Then, based on your personal style, you can opt for a rock touch with a biker, or for a classic look with a trench, or maybe a street outfit matched with the right bomber. Once you understand which one is the right jacket for you, we’ll help you find the right cuts to enhance your silhouette; not all jackets are the same!

If you want to know everything about outerwear, you’re in the right place. We’ll analyse every jacket and coat so that you can ask your Personal Shopper which one is the right one for you!

Mid-season outerwear

Since it’s already mid-season, we are in the perfect moment to wear coats and jackets. You want to start with the lighter coats; these are ideal for autumn because they will protect you from the first chilly days and from the rain, but they are not too heavy to carry in the last sunny moments of the year. The main characteristic about these jackets is that they can complete the look, adding a trendy touch and defining the style you want to have. Versatile and ideal to create layered looks, they are also perfect to face the fast changes of weather at this time of the year. So brace yourself and start taking notes, because after reading this you’ll be ready to shop for your new perfect mid-season jacket!

The trench

The trench

What is a trench?

The trench coat is a type of raincoat, a timeless item of the classic male and female wardrobe for almost a century. It derives from the military coat of the soldiers who fought in the trenches, thus its name.

The specific origins and creator of this garment are uncertain, but we owe it to John Emary the invention of a waterproof fabric, that he called “Aquascutum” (latin for “watershield”), back in 1851. With this fabric he started creating coats that had great success, so much so that he got the contract for the official supply of the garments given to the soldiers employed in the Crimean and Boer wars.

Almost at the same time, in 1879, Thomas Burberry invented the gabardine, a heavy cotton fabric that did not allow water to penetrate through its tight, very fine woven mesh. Soon these coats were made available to the public, gaining a lot of popularity in England and in the rest of the world.

Trench style tips

If you want a classic, timeless look, this is the right coat for you. It is super versatile and can be worn with everything: with jeans and a striped jumper for a French look, with a pencil skirt for a business touch or with trousers and a shirt for an everyday outfit. Use the belt to enhance the waist line and make your legs look longer (fantastic if you have an hourglass or triangle silhouette). On the other hand, if you want to minimise the abdomen, hips and thighs, wear it open – this trick is perfect for oval and diamond silhouettes.

The perfect trench look

We like to neutralise the masculine vibes of the trench by pairing it with a floral wrap dress. This makes for an original and trendy combo for autumn. Complete the look with ankle boots, a bag and earrings.

The parka

What is a parka?

The parka is a water-repellent jacket padded with fur (that can be natural or synthetic), with a hood, either buttoned or with a zip up to the neck, and typically green. Derived from the Inuits, it was originally made using reindeer or seal skins, and was ideal for protection from the harsh cold. Since the second half of the 20th century, it has been made of synthetic waterproof fibre such as nylon. The word “parka” literally means “animal skin” and derives from the Nenets language spoken in the north of Russia, where the climate is particularly cold and humid.

Throughout the decades, the parka was the symbol of some of the most famous subcultures: at the end of the 1950s it was the icon of the Mods, while in the 90s it was the coat used by grunge icons like Kurt Cobain and Eddie Vedder.

Now we can find these coats on the runways too, worn by models and reinvented in colours and shapes by all the famous designers.

Parka style tips

The parka is perfect for a casual and sporty look. Thanks to its versatility, it can be worn both in autumn in its lighter version without fur, and in winter with the padding as a substitute of the puffer jacket. Just like with the trench, use the belt to enhance the waistline and opt for a “under the hips” length if you have a triangle silhouette, as this will help you minimise the hips. To slimmer the silhouette, opt for the longer version and wear it open.

The perfect parka look

With this look, we wanted to enhance the main characteristic of this garment: its sportiness. We put together a very casual look, super comfortable, simple and versatile that can be worn for every occasion.

The blazer

What is a blazer?

The origin of the blazer can be traced back to 1837, when Captain HMS Blazer decided to dress his crew in navy blue, double-breasted jackets adorned with brass buttons with the Royal Navy emblem, on the occasion of Queen Victoria’s visit aboard the ship. In the 1920s, this item starts to be part of women’s wardrobes, becoming the symbol of woman’s emancipation: the number of women who abandon tight corsets and wide skirts to embrace the comfort of jackets with an androgynous style is increasingly conspicuous. At that time, the blazer had the appearance of a typical military jacket with large side pockets, flaps and buttons, length to the pelvis and with a straight and unstructured design.

We have to wait until the 60s when Yves Saint Laurent introduced multiple elements of innovation by presenting the woman tuxedo. Here, the protagonist was a long blazer with an androgynous and sensual style; thanks to him, the blazer became a purely feminine item of clothing. Of course, we can’t fail to mention Giorgio Armani, who in 1975 presented the “King of the Blazer” in his first collection of deconstructed men’s jackets. It is an oversized jacket without ironing and less formal than a classic suit jacket, but still chic and so casual at the same time, that it can be worn as a cardigan without losing its elegance.

Blazer style tips

There are a lot of different models and cuts that make this item suitable for every body type and style. First, we have the structured blazers, made with heavy and rigid fabrics like wool, often double-breasted, with padded shoulders. This model is ideal if you want to enhance the upper part of your body and give structure to your shoulders, while having a classic and formal appearance. If you want to opt for a more casual look, you should choose flowy blazers, often with one or no buttons. These are ideal to hide some parts of your body, but at the same time they won’t enhance your curves (so avoid them if you want to show your waistline).

The perfect blazer look

Casual chic women will love this outfit for sure. It combines the neutral tones of the minimal style with the casualness and comfort of the denim and the sneakers. The brown blazer gives a touch of colour very fitting for autumn, which also adds something different and classy to the overall look.

The biker

What is a biker?

Functional military clothing has had a strong influence on fashion trends for centuries. This is also the case of the leather jacket, that makes its first appearance during the First World War, as a uniform of German pilots to protect themselves from temperature changes in the cockpit of the aeroplanes.

Then, in 1928 Irving Schott creates the “Perfecto Jacket”, a modern and rebellious biker design that quickly became a symbol for fans of the motorcycle world. The leather jacket then arrives at Hollywood and is associated with personalities that later became iconic: with Marlon Brando, Steve Mcqueen and James Dean the leather jacket has become a sort of symbol of rebellion and masculinity.

The strong connection between fashion and music can shape the idea we have on a particular garment and, for sure, this is the case of the biker jacket. At the end of the 60s and beginning of the 70s, it becomes a symbol of English punk culture.

Thanks to punk queen Vivenne Westwood it makes its first appearance on runways and in fashion boutiques, and now it’s an item that we can find in everyone’s wardrobe.

Biker style tips

Versatile, original, glamorous and even a little rock, just enough to create alternative and trendy outfits to show off for the most different occasions. From the ones with studs, zips, belts to the more minimal with just one central zip, there are many models suitable for different styles and silhouettes. For example, if you have a triangle silhouette, and you want to drive attention on the upper part of the body, opt for the classic rock biker jackets, the one with lapels, details on the shoulders and a cropped fit plus the belt, that can enhance the waistline. If you’re an inverted triangle, then choose the most simple ones, with just a central zip and maybe some volume on the hips to balance your figure.

The perfect biker look

Our Personal Shoppers love contrasts, and for this reason they mixed the biker jacket with a very feminine skirt. The rock style of the upper part is balanced with the girly vibes of the skirt, only to round it off with another masculine touch: a pair of combat boots.

The bomber

What is a bomber?

The bomber is a type of jacket, originally created for pilots that fought during the First World War. They needed a jacket to keep them warm, as many warplanes had an open cockpit. It is the evolution of the windbreaker that the pilots of the Royal Flying Corps had adopted since 1915. As in the case of the previous jackets, during the decades the bomber became a symbol of different subcultures: in the 60s we have the “baseball bomber” which started as a sport uniform that then became a statement of a certain type of young man. In the 80s, skinheads used it as their official and recognizable uniform, and then in the early 00s rappers and hip hop singers started wearing them alongside loose pants and oversized t-shirts. Now it’s a staple of every day outfits and made its appearance several times on runways, reinvented in multiple models that combine retro and casual styles. Now, we can choose whatever style we want, from those in classic rubber-effect leather to the satin nylon with a quilted weave type, up to the couture versions in velvet and fur.

Bomber jacket style tips

The fashion trends of autumn/winter suggest wearing the bomber either in an oversize and long version, typically vintage, or cropped and short, characterized by its typical balloon effect. One of the distinctive features of the bomber jacket is to create volume on the arms and along the hips. For those with tall and slim bodies, the bomber jacket will be able to give volume to the upper part of the body, highlighting the arms, shoulders and hips. At the same time, it is the ideal outerwear to hide the roundness of the belly and hips and optically rebalance the figure, as long as you pay particular attention to choosing the right size.

The perfect bomber look

This casual but feminine look is perfect for every occasion, from office to free time. The printed bomber will add an original and unique touch and will drive the attention to the upper part of the body; perfect for triangle body shapes!

The quilted jacket

The quilted jacket

What is a quilted jacket?

The term derives from the Latin “culcita”, meaning cushion or bolster. This is reminiscent of the stitching on this particular jacket, which creates a diamond pattern typical of a mattress or blanket.

The birth of the quilted jacket dates back to the early 1960s, when the U.S. Air Force Colonel Steve Gulyas retired and he and his wife Edna moved to Tostock, Suffolk in England. Together they founded Husky Ltd. (named after their beloved dog), where they designed and manufactured a garment that would become one of the most copied around the world: the diamond quilted jacket. The first version of the quilted jacket was not a jacket at all, but a waistcoat made for shooting. Waterproof, polyester, and quilted, it made a big splash among Gulyas’ club colleagues, so he reimagined it as a jacket in nylon with polyester fill. The original was a boxy, single-breasted affair with five pressed stud snap buttons on the front, and snap-close side vents. It had two angled patch pockets, a corduroy collar, and corduroy pocket trim. This unassuming but useful jacket came in pale olive green or navy blue; other colours would follow its rise to fame.

Queen Elizabeth II soon became a fan of this jacket, which she used for riding. It soon caught on as a cult item among young students, then to celebrities in both Britain and Europe by the 1980s, before finally arriving in America. It combined the best qualities of a raincoat and a windbreaker, emerging as a garment that was functional, lightweight, and warm. Add to those likeable qualities a certain finesse that’s missing in an ordinary lightweight jacket, and you have the modern diamond quilted jacket that every IT girl has in their closet right now.

Quilted jacket style tips

Today the quilted jacket returns to establish itself as a wardrobe must, with its many variations, both short and long, ready to satisfy the tastes of all of us in the most disparate styles. This iconic model does not go only with jeans and casual outfits as in the past; the latest trends in fact relaunch it as an outerwear to be worn even with elegant dresses and skirts.

All you need to do is choose the right model (that long one, for example, is perfect even on the most chic outfits) and indulge yourself with the coolest combinations. Plus, you can always wear them under larger coats and hoods when temperatures drop. If you’re scared that the straight original fit won’t enhance your silhouette, don’t worry: there are models with the belt that can be perfect for triangle and hourglass silhouettes too.

The perfect quilted jacket look

A look that has the ability to mix classic with modern, sporty with classy items. The quilted jacket, sporty and casual, mixed with a suede skirt and a blouse is the contrast you need to elevate your style.

Cold weather coats

Autumn is the perfect time of the year to start thinking about what we’re going to wear when the freezing days come. We don’t want to be unprepared for the lowest temperatures! So, it’s time to look at your wardrobe and figure out what coats you need to face winter in the comfiest and trendiest way possible. Here we’ll explain all the models you can choose from and how to wear them, then it’s up to you to decide what’s best for your style!

The teddy coat

What is a teddy coat?

It was 2013 when Max Mara launched this extra voluminous, super soft version of the classic coat, describing it as “Warm like a hug, elegant like an ‘icon coat’, the Teddy Bear is the coat most loved by models, celebrities and more: it has given birth to a true Teddymania”. And they were right: the teddy coat had an immediate success thanks to its unique characteristics. First, the fur, soft like a teddy bear (thus its name); then the oversized fit that makes it unique and original. It’s super warm, which is perfect for the coldest temperatures and also very versatile, suitable for both casual and elegant looks. Copied by every mainstream brand (and otherwise), it has become a must-have for winter that never goes out of style.

Teddy coat style tips

One of the main characteristics of the teddy coat is its oversized fit. Of course, it tends to enlarge the figure, so it’s not the best option if your goal is to appear slimmer. The only variation on the model can be the length, and it’s not something to take for granted because it can change everything in the proportions of your outfit. Choose it short or just under the hips to make the legs longer; on the other hand, the longer teddy coat is perfect for tall women.

The perfect teddy coat look

This outfit is perfect to bring the shades of autumn with you even in winter. The warmth of the teddy coat is enhanced by this soft brown colour, and the look is perfect for frenetic and non-stop city life. That’s why flats are the ideal shoes to be classy but comfortable.

The down jacket

puffer jacket

What is a down jacket?

The down jacket, known more commonly in the fashion industry as a puffer jacket or simply puffer, is a quilted coat which is insulated with either duck or geese feathers. Air pockets created by the bulk of the feathers allow for the retention of warm air.

Eddie Bauer invented the first puffer jacket in 1936. The Skyliner, as he called it, encased down feathers within quilted fabric and was created out of personal necessity after Bauer nearly lost his life to hypothermia whilst on a fishing trip in mid-winter. His creation was entirely successful at keeping the wearer warm and, since then, the practical garment has reappeared within fashion several times. This coat was reimagined in the 1970s as an athleisure jacket specifically marketed towards women by designer Norma Kamali. Named the “sleeping bag jacket”, Kamali’s version featured two coats sewn together with a synthetic down alternative packed between. Within the last couple of decades, the down jacket has become a staple of winter fashion.

Bright neon coloured versions of the puffer were worn in Italy throughout the 1980s, thanks to Monclera, a pioneer on this type of garment. During the 90s, the jacket surged in popularity as a young generation of ravers wore puffers throughout the night during the winter months. A similar trend was witnessed in the United States throughout the 1990s and into the early 2000s, during which this jacket became popular among hip-hop artists.

Down jacket style tips

Who said winter has to be all black and white? You can add a touch of colour to your looks, using a puffer jacket in a bold shade like red. Paired with jeans and a sweatshirt, it will give the basic look a cool twist.

The perfect down jacket look

Who said winter has to be all black and white? You can add a touch of colour to your looks, using a puffer jacket in a bold shade like red. Paired with jeans and a sweatshirt, it will give the basic look a cool twist.

The peacoat

The peacoat

What is a peacoat?

A peacoat is an outer coat, generally of a navy-coloured heavy wool, originally worn by sailors of European and later American navies. Invented by Mr. Camplin in 1857, these coats are characterised by short length, broad lapels, double-breasted fronts, often large wooden, metal or plastic buttons, three or four in two rows, and vertical or slash pockets.

The term “pea coat” originated from the Dutch or West Frisian word pijjekker, in which pij referred to the type of cloth used, a coarse kind of twilled blue cloth with a nap on one side, and jakker designates a man’s short, heavy coat. Camplin had the job to create a jacket for the officers that was different from the simple uniform of the navy, but that would also be practical; a jacket that looked like a coat but that let the movements be fluid.

The peacoat then made its debut in Hollywood, being worn by Steve McQueen and Robert Redford in famous movies. It then became a symbol of timeless elegance, and this characteristic still remains today. In the early 60s Jackie Kennedy was the first woman to wear a peacoat and since then it became a must-have in the feminine wardrobe.

Peacoat style tips

Dynamic and versatile, it is an absolutely casual but classy garment. Whether it is traditional in blue cloth with six tone-on-tone buttons or in models with a more contemporary design, it is a timeless jacket, decidedly easy to wear and fashionable. Depending on how you want to wear it, it can be extremely feminine, combined with dresses below the knee with high boots, or it can give a sailor style worn with flat shoes and oversized sweaters. Due to its length and its straight cut, it’s the perfect item to minimise all our insecurities, but it’s not the best when it comes to enhancing the body’s curves.

The perfect peacoat look

A special occasion requires a special dress, even if it’s winter. Don’t say no to wearing a beautiful long dress just because the temperature is cold: add an elegant peacoat in a neutral colour, and you’re all set.

The faux fur

The faux fur

What is faux fur?

This type of coat derives from the real fur coats used by men since the beginning of time to keep their bodies warm and to face the lowest temperatures. It was used in countries like Russia, where the winters can be very rigid. Especially here, it became a symbol of the wearer’s status, since these coats were expensive, so they started to use this item as a currency to trade goods or as a payment.

In the 80s and 90s, it was quite common to see fur coats on the runways, reinvented every time by designers in cuts and colours. Nowadays, after many fights, the fashion system decided that it’s no longer ethical to use real fur and introduced other materials to create faux fur coats that look exactly like the real ones but are cheaper. Nevertheless, the debate is not settled due to the environmental damage. The faux fur is derived from plastic and releases microfibres that are very dangerous for the planet. Brands from all over the world are working now to find a more sustainable alternative, like Stella McCartney that recently launched “Koba Fur Free Fur”, the first biologic fur created using a mix of recycled polyester and vegetal materials. Brands have a lot to work on, but in the meantime we can do our part to reduce the impact on the environment by buying just one piece, if necessary, and using it for as long as we can. So in this case it is particularly important to choose the right fit for us.

Faux fur style tips

As in the case of the teddy coat, this type of coat adds a lot of volume to the figure, so it’s not the perfect choice if you want to slim the silhouette and appear taller. It’s important to play with the right length and the outfit under to balance the silhouette. In general, it is a super versatile item that can be worn both with skinny jeans and a midi skirt, or a dress for a more formal occasion. If your silhouette is an inverted triangle, you may want to choose another coat, as it adds a lot of volume to the upper part, especially on the shoulders.

The perfect faux fur look

Play with this look: the faux fur is a very feminine and seductive element, and we wanted to pair it with a bold item, such as the leather pants. The striped jumper will add a fun touch and make the look wearable every day.

The cape

What is a cape?

The cape is an outerwear item, often sleeveless and sometimes with a hood, that one can wear on the shoulders, hooked on the neck. Its origin dates back to the 1800s, when it was worn by both men, as an evening garment, and by women. During the 1900s, it was reimagined in different shapes and cuts. This is especially true in the case of Paul Poiret, one of the greatest designers of all time, who experimented a lot on the garment. We’re talking about the most simple and essential outerwear garment ever, made by a unique piece of cloth.

In the 20s and 30s, it became a symbol of elegance, worn by style icons like Marchesa Luisa Casati, Gabriele D’Annunzio lover and muse for futurism artists. But the evolution doesn’t stop here: in the 1950s the cape returned in all its glory and became a romantic and sophisticated garment, mostly worn on evening dresses. Towards the end of the decade, it shortens and becomes mini. In the fabulous 60s, it turns to bright colours, geometric lines and essential shapes, giving a casual image to the whole look. In the revolutionary 70s, young people discovered the poncho, of Peruvian origin, in handmade wool, and all those cloaks of popular culture. These garments spread rapidly and influenced the trends of the nascent prêt-à-porter.

Recently, the operations made by famous brands had the goal to reinvent the cape and make it appealing for the younger generation. How? Changing the fit, making it more oversized, using different materials, colours and prints and styling it in an unexpected way.

Cape style tips

Classy, chic and formal, the cape is the perfect item for your most classic outfits. Wear it with masculine trousers to enhance the austere look, or use it to add a pop of colour to your basic outfits. You can even use it over your light puffer jacket to add a chic touch that will change your outfit completely. It’s perfect to hide everything that’s under it, so ideal if you would rather show less of your body. The length isn’t particularly flattering for triangle body shapes because the cape ends right on the hips, driving all the attention to that area.

The perfect cape look

The perfect outfit for a casual weekend on the mountains: a soft jumper and denim to pair with a simple cape that will add a chic and trendy touch, unexpectedly paired with combat boots, a very masculine item.

What is a wool coat

Worn in the Mediaeval Era and the Renaissance period, the modern version was born in the XIII Century and from that it evolved continuously, ultimately adopting the shape we all know today. The ancient version of the coat is the tailcoat (“marsina” in italian). More specifically, it was the French version that later evolved into the English Riding-coat, the Chesterfield, the Montgomery and the Loden. All these versions brought to life the current wool coat that all of us have worn at some point. During the decade of the 1900s, it assumed different shapes. First, the straight cut became more flared; then a cut under the breast was added to make it look more feminine and chic; later, it came down to the feet. In the 60s, it became short and playful (Courreges was a master here). In the 80s it was oversized and masculine, then more fitted in the early 00s, and then became oversized again.

We can say for sure that it’s the outerwear garment that had the most reinventing in our history, following the trends and the taste of every decade and adapting to the changes of the society.

Wool coat style tips

A basic rule to choose the perfect coat should be to opt for a simple model, which falls straight on the body without too many frills. In general, coats with longitudinal seams have a slimming effect, so they are especially recommended if you want to make your silhouette more slender. The length of the coat is crucial: the most recommended are those that go down to the mid-leg, or just above that. If you have an oval or diamond figure, you may want to avoid double-breasted or oversized models because they will make you look bigger. For triangle silhouettes, the best choice is a coat that is slightly flared on the bottom part with a structured shoulder, better with a belt that enhances the waistline too. The belt is also fantastic for women with large bust and an hourglass silhouette. For inverted triangles, avoid too many details in the upper part and padded shoulders: coats with raglan sleeves are a better option in this case.

The perfect wool coat look

Wool coats go with everything, but we chose a simple but very classy look that will bring the feminine side of this item to light. A pleated midi skirt paired with a light jumper, perfect for the first colds. Finish off the look with ankle boots.

Considering an outerwear update? In need of a new piece to give a new twist to your warmer looks? Just talk to your Personal Shopper in the comment section of your order. She will find the piece that best suits your wardrobe and your personal style.

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