While the current cold snap isn't quite the Beast from the East, it does signal that cold weather is now here, and here to stay, which means the next few months are going to demand some bolstering of your wardrobe with a big coat or two. Although such coats cover up two thirds of your body when done up, that doesn't mean you can give scant thought to what you're wearing underneath! In fact, the best winter looks are when you leave the coat open to reveal a masterclass in textural layering. We asked former Mr Porter Style Director Olie Arnold to show us how it's done using a trio of big warm coats from our Winter 24 collection. Take notes at the back...
The Grandpa Coat
The Grandpa coat has become one of our most-loved outerwear silhouettes that we've created. It first went into production in 2013 and has been a regular every autumn and winter season since. The idea for it came from a big corduroy and shearling jacket that Olie purchased a long time ago in New York. Over the season's we've used a number of different fabrics in the Grandpa coat, each of which gives it a different attitude, but the common denominator is that it has to feel like a big warm hug! It's one of those heavy duty winter coats that feels impervious to everything the elements can throw at you. The earlier versions came without a belt detail, but this was added recently to offer a more elevated look.
Styling notes:
"This corduroy coat is a great addition to your winter wardrobe. While it looks like it weighs a tonne, it’s actually surprisingly light thanks to the fine cotton cloth. It's got just the right amount of weight to it to know it’s great quality and will be warm, but it's not going to bog you down when you’re trotting around town all day. The single-breasted construction allows you to layer up underneath and show off your handy work. Autumn hues work well with the brown, and don't be afraid to inject a little pattern in their either to break up the shapes and draw the eye in."
The Newington Coat
The Newington coat is a double-breasted style cut from dry wax cotton and is fleece lined, making it incredibly warm. With two front welted pockets and two internal pockets, this coat will see you through the worst the winter can throw at you, all the while in consummate style. The Newington coat was born out of the Grandpa coat but with a few major differences, the most obvious being the double-breasted construction and the fleece lining which gives it a weighty warmth. It most closely resembles the traditional pea coat, but with an oversized silhouette.
