-
Wrap it up
Wrap Over Coats
I love wrap over coats, they are chic, they are timeless, and look incredibly sophisticated. If you are looking for an overcoat for the coming autumn and winter, consider a Wrap over coat.
Overcoats have been around for hundreds of years and designs have rarely changed just been added to or manipulated to lead the fashion world.The Coat of a Queen
Many celebrities endorse the wrap over coat, it oozes glamour and sophistication, echoing the style of the 50′s and those glorious film stars and pinups. Fans of the Wrap over Coat include Jenifer Lopez, Victoria Beckham, and Her Royal Highness, Queen Elizabeth.
The Wrap Over is uncomplicated, it’s simple yet stunning, you throw it on and voila, secure it with a belt or a broach.Which wrap to choose?
I have taken time to look at some of the coming season’s best wrap over coats on the high street and from some of the top name designers, so whether you want to save or splurge you will find a range of Wrap over coats here that will float your boat. Funnily, the wrap over style seems to only be for women and it is a rarity to find something for males.
John Lewis have a range of interesting styles of wrap overs, including this camel Fran Wrap Over, and this showerproof 4 seasons wrap coat.
Asos stock a collection of wrap overs from a range of high street and high fashion designers, this checked hooded wrap from Lisa Jayne Dann is fantastic.
Maxmara are one of the big names in the coat fashion world, this coat is perfect for the business professional look.Other designer Wrap over Coats includes this stunning purple woven crepe Wrap over from Halston Heritage. This hooded coat is both eye catching and chic.
I love this Donna Karan Wool and Linen blend Trench coat its totally refined and desirable.
-
Reach for the Trench Coat
Traditional Favourite
The Trench coat has been a favourite of many wearers for years. The description of a traditional Trench or raincoat was a Knee length coat, which was waterproof and generally made from heavy-duty cotton, wool or leather. The original Trench coat was designed for the British and French soldiers in the First World War. Burberry and Aquascutum rival each other in who was the original inventor of the Trench coat. It became an option for the officers in the British Army, which they could purchase if required.
Fashion Moving Forward
Since World War 2, Trench coats have been incredibly popular for their business like appearance. They became the choice of overcoats for Mods during the 60′s. Today Trench coats can be found on the high street and from the top fashion designers. I’ve taken the time to pick out the best trench coats on the market, ready for autumn and winter this year.
The best of today’s Trench coats
Starting with the high street and affordable Trench Coats, Warehouse offers this modern coat with traditional base. A belted trench coat, which flares out at the waist.
If you’re looking for something unique for little ladies, this All Saints child’s Trench coat is stunning, with a large funnel neck, totally in the style of an asymmetric piece of clothing from All Saints.
For the Man about town, Amazon have a great range of coats, I particularly like this Grey double Pea Wool half Trench coat with all the buttons and straps of an original.If you’re thinking about investing in designer wear, Net A Porter offer a range of Branded Trench coats including this gorgeous grey military style Coat from Burberry.
Finally for something completely outrageous in both the style and price stakes , this Burberry satin and down trench coat is incredibly unique providing ultimate warm and protection in the cold weather.
-
What’s in your pockets?
I used to have a lovely denim jacket when I was at university, I believe I got it in the Next sale. It was a dark denim coat with red stitching and I loved it. I always used to wear it out on nights around the town. One of the best things about this particular jacket is that I always found money in the pockets. The pockets were not so big but I must have put in the odd £5 note in the breast pocket. Now, these were the days you could go out with £10, have enough drinks to forget your mind, have a takeaway and even get a taxi home. We were students and would live on the most basic rationing, plus we lived in Scarborough, which meant it was a pretty cheap night out.
What’s the most money you’ve ever found in a Jacket Pocket? I think mine must have been £10, which in those days was a bonus. I was reading about one particular gentleman who found £10K in an envelope in a jacket pocket, two years after having a good weekend at his grocery store, how could you ever forget you had £10K????
It might be a great way to save some money, where no one could find it, choose a jacket in your wardrobe that you never use and every week place a crisp note in there, a couple of years down the line when you come to clear out the wardrobe you will be incredibly pleased.
One of the funniest but possibly terrible tips I heard from a satirical magazine was
“Place a £10 note in your black suit jacket, when you come to use said jacket for a formal occasion or funeral, you will instantly be cheered up finding that hidden £10 Note”. Hmmm I think I would rather just keep the money. -
Wind Stoppers
If you are looking for a jacket that you can wear whilst out walking or nipping around, that is not going to leave you panting for breath but will protect you from the wind, you need a wind stopper.
These jackets are incredible for sports and the general outdoors. You can choose lightweight versions, which will not weigh you down.
Wind stopper is a product from the world-renowned GOR TEX Company.
Gore Tex is a fabric, which is totally waterproof and breathable. The company needed something to stop the chill of the wind getting to your bones.
Wind stoppers, as I have mentioned are perfect for the great outdoors. The way these clothing products work is by the layering of technical fabrics.Generally, you will find an outer layer, the Wind stopper membrane and an inner layer. These combined fabrics make an incredibly technical piece of clothing, which not only protects you from the wind, but also controls your climate and wicking away moisture through the breathable fabric.
These jackets are made for a range of different sports and lifestyles. Wind stopper have collaborated with some of the biggest brands in outdoor clothing such as The North Face, Quiksilver, Adidas and Peak Performance. Much like the use of Gore Tex in a range of clothing and footwear, Wind stopper is employed in many outdoor apparel products and accessories.
If you suffer from the cold or work outdoors and need something that will keep you warm or cool but stop the wind coming into your cocoon, a wind stopper is the perfect choice. From full jackets for winder sports to zip up fleeces and jumpers. Wind stopper is an incredibly technically functioning piece of clothing and once you purchase one, you will wonder how you ever lived without it.
-
Fur Coat Recycling project
Fur Coats have always had its loyal followers who enjoy the luxury and feeling of soft fur against their skin. It also has quite the opposite group of Anti-Fur campaigners who are against the killing of innocent animals. For years British charity PETA People for the ethical treatment of animals have campaigned against wearing fur, famously models would pose nude to promote the argument against fur and the way it is produced.
Unbelievably across the globe, there is still such a demand for fur that fur farms breed animals specifically for that. The animals, which are normally inquisitive in nature, are forced to live in small confined spaces. The animals are then killed with methods not to damage the skin or fur and sometimes these methods are not always successful and animals have woken again when their skins are being removed, this is incredibly horrifying.
As you can imagine Peta has had a great backing from many famous people such as Paul McCartney and Pamela Anderson. The Fur trade is decreasing but still some countries around the world hunt animals and rare animals for their skins and furs to sell on and produce clothing.
Cash for fur coats is a company that will recycle your old fur coat, rather than throwing it away, and turn this into a new piece of clothing or sell it on. Its sells like a strange solution, but for those who do love to adorn themselves in fur, it could be a great answer to reduce the amount of fur being produced across the world.This Canadian company will pay cash for your old fur and turn it into something along the lines of home accessories such as pillows or teddy bears this is a great way to keep fur trade to a minimum.
Peta and other charities still fight to stop the fur trade and the terrible treatment of animals, if you really want to go for fur makes sure it’s fake.
-
Is it a coat or is it a Jacket?
We’re so quick to use words willy nilly these days without really realising where they come from or what they actually stand for. I thought it would be interesting to look at all the words associated with Coats, Jackets, Blazers and so on and really get to the bottom of their origins and the distinction between all of the styles.
Coats were originally split into two garments, an under coat and a more expressionable over coat. These days the under coat has disappeared but the over coat still remains. Coats tended to be long and an over coat would be something you would wear with a top hat. Jackets on the other hand were shorter. There were so many variations on the coat that served different purposes, were classed as formal wear, or distinguished you from your peers.
A Frock coat was a knee length men’s coat found during the 19th century. Morning coats, tailcoats and a dinner jacket were classed as formal wear. Smoking Jackets and Lounge Jackets would be informal garments you would wear in the home to relax.For women, a Basque was a corset type jacket, fitted tightly around the waist which would flare out over the hips and lower skirt and a Spencer was a woollen tail coat with the tails cut off, a shorter jacket made with the same patterns as you would a dress.
Overcoats tended to be incredibly long and would fall beneath the knees, where as a topcoat was shorter and finished at the knees.
Jackets included Blazers, Anoraks, Duffel Coats, and spread into industries that needed standardised uniforms such as the military, food industry- chef’s jackets and biker jackets.
All are based on one simple part of the design whether that be they are longer- a coat or shorter- a jacket.