A Coat For 2011

Working in retail means that I'm one of the first to see the summer collections be shipped off to make way for an abundance of autumnal mittens, scarves and slipper boots. Because summer seems so sparse in England, and I'm continually waiting for that one searingly hot week that never comes around, I tend to linger in wardrobe limbo; a perpetual autumn/spring hybrid. I leave the mittens and thirteen tog duvet far behind with the Christmas tree lights, but I never fully embrace the summer season either. By the time I finally feel ready to purchase summer dresses and the dreaded bikini, I'm greeted with an influx of woolly hats and faux fur snoods. As this problem seems to continually curse me, I've decided that I'm evidently not a 'summer person' and am therefore going to commit myself to making the upcoming season 'work for me'. Where better to start than with the eternal key piece of the cold season; the coat?

I have all the proof I need to know that the ultimate winter wardrobe satisfaction comes from finding the right coat to carry you through (ideally) both autumn and winter. Just over a year ago, I found my perfect coat in my much loved Topshop trench with padded shoulders. It goes with everything. It makes every outfit look infinitely more stylish. It's warm, but light enough to fling over summer dresses when the evenings (and the days, to be fair) turn breezy. All in all, it has served me very well. But this year, it's time for a bit of refreshment. The catalyst for this notion was namely created at the Burberry Prorsum show, which launched with Jourdan Dunn sauntering down the runway in a vibrant orange, wool coat. Then there were the  retro 1960's styles at Bottega Veneta and the elegant 1940's looks seen at Miu Miu. Consequently, my mind is now strongly focussed on finding the perfect coat and, as every die-hard fashionista knows, August is the time to nab the best before everyone else does. I've given you a selection of my favourites from both the high end and the high street below, but I'm personally holding out for a Burberry-esque orange cocoon from M&S. It's not available yet, but watch this space....

High Street

Dorothy Perkins & Topshop

Both Topshop

Topshop & Mango

High End

Burberry Prorsum & Burberry Brit

Stella McCartney & Miu Miu

Bottega Veneta & Burberry Prorsum

What coat have you got your eye on this season? Will you be buying now, or saving till later?

P.S

This week has been so busy, but so unexpectedly good. A lovely weekend back up north with friends from uni was topped off with the news that LOOK magazine chose me to be in their top 20 for the Look Show blog competition. I was a sweaty mess in the middle of Manchester, overloaded with luggage and searching for my hotel when my phone starting buzzing with Twitter alerts. To be honest, I'd tried (and failed) to push it to the back of my mind because I really didn't think I'd make it through and I didn't want to be glued to Twitter all day, so it wasn't until I finally collapsed onto the hotel bed that I found I'd made it onto the list. I couldn't believe it and it's put the biggest smile on my face all week (even when I returned home to find I was going to be living in my caravan indefinitely). I can't believe that I'm now one huge step closer to the front row of the Look Show. The only downside to the competition is the waiting and the anticipation. My mind is buzzing with ideas for how I'd keep you guys updated about everything related to the show, what I'd wear and the potential to meet some of my favourite bloggers who also made it onto the list. I don't think I can put it into words again just how much I want to be there and be a part of this incredible opportunity, so I'm crossing everything that can be crossed that Tuesday brings good news. Just to have got this far has been brilliant. I've come across some great blogs, not only from the other finalists, but from the people who've left lovely comments on my entry post  and Twitter. Thank you so much. It means the world to me and I appreciate it all! Lovey dovey soppiness over, I'm off to put up my sofa-come-bed-come-storage-come-wardrobe. Oh, the joys of playing gypsy queen....