Knee-length

A knee-length coat is everything from cold survival to royal event, one is worn with a fascinator that looks like a bird, and the other is made with feathers. So yes, Kate Middleton will wear a neatly cut collarless knee-length coat like it’s nobody’s business (which by default is actually everybody's business) and when skiing at Courchevel, she will most likely be equally elegant wrapped in down. Knee-length coats are, for practical reasons and more stylish ones, almost unavoidable. So accepting that as a fact we shall go through some of the season's favourites, designers who repeat the classics, and directional changes worth talking about.

SUPER FEMME

The knee-length coat often takes on an hourglass silhouette, a tailored fit through the bodice, pinched in the middle to accentuate a waist and either slim or swung from the hips down. From the super-femme category this season we are swooning over Altuzarra’s ruffled hem coat, which balances just the right amount of girly with the traditional houndstooth print. From Marni, a candyfloss pink and yellow designer coat, also with ruffles, is a dreamy statement. Victoria Beckham and Moncler take the modern pretty approach, Beckham with delicate details and a hyper flattering cut, and Moncler with a dramatic waist-pinching, kick-flared silhouette.

THE CONVERSATION STARTER

Statement coats are officially a thing. Gucci’s fur trimmed jacquard coat in an insect printed weave of brilliant reds and greens will not only start conversations, it’ll probably be the topic of conversations for months afterwards. The same could be said for Miu Miu’s metallic gold snakeskin coat. Nour Hammour’s black lamb leather coat, and again Miu Miu makes purple rain with a faux fur Prince hued button up.

CLASSIC TRENCH COAT

The designer trench coat also falls into this category, its use, functionally and stylistically needs no introduction. An Isabel Marant number is a good option for a softer less starchy trench, great for throwing in the suitcase or over the shoulders for business trips and weekends away. Victoria Beckham does a sharper more formal trench which would suit the more valuable Monopoly board locations. Saint Laurent stays very true to the quintessential classic, as does Burberry.

EVERYDAY IN EVERY WAY

As life is not all galas and getaways, the staple mid-length coat is a very important sidekick for all other daily happenings. Acne is always a wonderful label for casual cool, and their neatly cut but comfortably roomy cashmere and wool coats are just another reason why they dominate this sector. Balenciaga takes on the classic duffle coat could be worn for any experience where style and a low temperature meet, even if that’s just picking up groceries. A Max Mara coat would be an accurate choice for work life balance, their sharp tailoring is perfect to put on over a suit, and equally well matched to jeans and a designer cashmere sweater for weekend wine tasting. It’s a fact that mid-length coats are just a part of life, so let's make that part fabulous.