Pink coats, pink coats and more pink coats.....

Pink coats have been dancing on the fashion periphery for a while now.  It started last winter with Jil Sander's oversized pink coat (see below) but it has taken until this winter for them to filter down on to the High Street - and for A/W '13, the pink coat is where it's at!

I don't suppose that anyone will be surprised to learn that over the years I have had several pink coats. It started with a pink Oasis trench about 9 years ago and was soon followed by a pink Boden coat and after that a Benetton one. I tell you this only because, sadly, I clearly don't have a reason to buy a pink coat this winter, which I consider to be a shame.

The deal on pink coats is this: they should be the softest palest of pink, worn oversized with rounded shoulders and clean lines, or perhaps military style, but they should be devoid of frills, peplums, or anything that makes them look too girly. So, I've done a quick whizz around to see what's on offer at the moment. Not all of them fit the "deal" above but that's good, because not everyone will want to walk around in a pale pink, oversized, coat this winter.

French Connection (£175) has this lovely pink coat. Being double breasted and with a collar, it is probably more suited to women who don't have lots of curves. I like the swing shape of this coat, which gives it a bit of a 60's feel.

The Hobbs Lacey coat in orchid pink (£239) is a favourite of mine. I like this particular shade of pink as it has a depth about it which suits paler skins in the winter (that would be me then). The oversized shape lends itself well to the whole androgynous look which is so big for A/W '13 and it will work well with trousers and brogues, or boots, as well as dresses. Grazia quite often has a Hobbs discount voucher at the start of each season so if you're tempted, it may be an idea to keep your eyes open for that.

J Crew has this pretty, very ladylike, coat which also comes in petite and tall and costs £312.15 - or slightly more if you need the tall one, which seems grossly unfair to me. It also comes in a colour similar to the Hobbs one above, but is only available in a petite and in a size 0 - so it's probably not one for the masses but someone may do really well out of it as it's in the sale for around £185. (Kylie, if you're reading this, you know where to go for your winter coat).

This is the only picture of the coat that I am dying to see, which is from Topshop and as yet not available (unless someone tells me otherwise).  Again, it's a pretty pale pink with clean lines so it's definitely one to watch.

This pretty pink Marks and Spencer (£99) military style coat is from their plus range and comes in sizes 20 to 28. I like the shaping on this coat - simple and flattering with a revere collar, angled pockets at the waist and it is also single breasted.

Zara (£179) has this masculine style overcoat. It's not dis-similar to the above style but it has less movement in the skirt part of it. There's something about black buttons on a pink coat which always stand out. Personally I prefer buttons the same colour as the coat - but not enough to change the ones on my own coat. Cheery looking soul isn't she?!

For those who prefer something less than a full length coat, Zara has this woollen overcoat for £79.99. It's great for those who perhaps travel a lot sitting down and don't want their coat to get creased, or for those who have fantastic pins. I'm a big fan of playing to your strengths so if great legs are your strength, show them off at every opportunity, cold or not!

Boden (£149) has this Mia coat which is very chic, in a classic Audrey Hepburn type of way. This bubblegum pink is a great colour and I can see it working really well at the weekend with jeans, Chelsea boots and a chunky roll neck jumper.

For a paler than pale pink coat, Reiss (£225) has this blush jacket with a waist tie.  It's a lovely design with clever detailing in the panels. Whilst a waist tie isn't for everyone, it's definitely worth a try.

 

Being cream, this Jigsaw (£265) coat doesn't really belong in this post but I fell in love with the colour, texture and shape of it, together with the fur collar. As I have mentioned before, all things fluffy, soft and furry are going to be huge this winter (a post on this particular trend will follow) and for me this coat embraces the trend in a very classic 1940's way but with a modern twist, as opposed to a less sophisticated (OK, chavtastic) kind of way. This coat would look amazing at a winter wedding - I just need one to go to now.

  

 

If a pink coat isn't your thing at all, there will be many other options available.  Zara has these pink trousers for £29.99 which are great but as ever with Zara, it's a good idea to start with the XL size and work backwards to avoid being utterly demoralised when the medium ones don't even go over your calves.

 

 

 

Warehouse (£28) has this lovely box bag in a pretty pale pink colour. I like the silver frame and the structured shape of this particular bag and it is well priced. Again, a great wedding option (hint, hint friends).

 

 

So, that's where we are on the pink coats - will you or won't you?  Perhaps you wouldn't have before reading this but now you might be tempted to.  Or like me you perhaps would love to but don't have  a reason to. Oh well, if that's the case, that's the great thing about this time of year, there's always something else just around the corner.....