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Winter is coming: 6 of the hottest coats to look cool in this season

1. The modern classic

Eagle-eyed readers of these pages will have noted during our recent SS18 fashion week coverage that, having been showcased at Céline, Valentino, Alexander McQueen and pretty much everywhere else, the trench coat is going to be huge news next season.

So it makes sense to invest now and be ahead of the curve, which is, in a way, also behind the curve. Because when AREN’T trench coats in favour? There is no curve when it comes to the trench; it’s just one, steady straight line of reliable cool.

Anyway, fittingly, the new king of classics on the high street, Arket, has a durable modern version in cotton-blend twill that should see you through well into the late 2020s while simultaneously looking like it could be from the 1920s. To be clear, this is a good thing.

Layer with a denim jacket underneath when the mercury drops.

Twill trench coat, £225 (arket.com)

2. The tailored teddy bear

This season it’s all about texture - see also faux fur - but approach with caution; it’s a trend that is easy to get horribly wrong.

It probably goes without saying but avoid anything with ears attached to a hood, and under no circumstances pair a fluffy jacket with yellow checked trousers and a red cashmere sweater (unless Rupert Bear really is your style icon).

A tailored, cuddly Crombie-style, on the other hand, looks great and will pep up your workwear a treat. White and brown are popular options with this vibe - try Zara, Warehouse and Urban Outfitters - but if that’s too polar or grizzly for you, opt for this tangy tangerine topcoat from Uterqüe.

Alpaca coat, £380 (uterque.com)

3. The fancy faux

At the same time as some brands are touting real sheepskin coats and labelling them as “lamb fur” - while asking you to fork out, somewhat uncharacteristically for the high-street stalwarts in question, a whopping £1,000 or thereabouts - there’s a big appetite for faux leather, suede and fur this winter.

Thanks in part to Stella McCartney’s groundbreaking use of alt-leathers on the catwalk in recent years, coupled with Gucci’s decision last week to go fur-free, these synthetic skins have been rebranded as a luxury, desirable item, and are far better looking and durable than their pleather predecessors.

Team with a pair of Veja trainers for top-to-toe animal friendliness.

Leather-effect jacket, £290 (anthropologie.com)

4. The fashion puffer

Fashion’s love affair with cosy quilting shows no signs of slowing down, which is great news for the practically minded among you: waterproof, warm, lightweight - what’s not to love?

JW Anderson’s coveted and well documented tartan version for Uniqlo aside (thanks to plenty of press coverage it’s low on stock but there are a few still available), we love Zara’s checked puffer.

It earns extra points for its handy inner braces, meaning you can carry it like a rucksack if you get a bit hot - ideal for London winters when you’re in and out of public transport but don’t want to lug a heavy coat on the Tube - and it’s also available in electric blue.

Urban Outfitters even stocks a number of “teddy puffers”, which marry two of our top trends in one. Bonus.

Checked puffer coat, ​£79.99 (zara.com)

5. The new pink

If you’re bored with millennial pink but still crave a punch of pastel, allow us to suggest the new season shade du jour: lilac.

Seen all over the catwalks for AW/17 at Stella McCartney, Gucci and Mulberry, purple reigns if you’re still feeling attached to that M&S dusky-rose number from a few years back but fancy an autumn refresh.

Mango’s offering - which also comes in sky blue - fits the bill nicely, while Topshop has a double-breasted option, and Ganni and Benetton’s belted dusters tick the dressing-gown box (also big news).

For a real fashion fix, pair with matching Parma Violet opaques. Sweet.

Lapels wool coat, £79.99 (mango.com)

6. The check mate

From Prince of Wales to preppy plaid, checks of any size and colour are your best friend this winter.

If you’re after the perfect partner for boyfriend jeans, ME + EM’s swing coat with hood is reassuringly blanket-y, and we’re into Toast’s oversized mohair offering, which will look suitably geography teacher (in a totally good way) with this season’s chunky cords.

A red and black design will make a good office option; you’ve probably spotted Marks & Sparks’ hero tailored coat in its window displays, while Massimo Dutti’s version comes with a flattering funnel neck.

Multicoloured three-quarter-length coat, £179 (massimodutti.com)