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Original poster

Are wool coats totally out of fashion at the moment?

114 replies

HardbackWriter · 31/01/2022 21:06

Looked around me today and it dawned on me that I am the only woman I seem to see who wears a wool (I guess sort of 'smart') winter coat now - absolutely everyone else I see is wearing a parka or puffa (mostly the latter). I'm just asking out of curiosity - I love my coat, I'm not ditching it - am I very out of style? I sort of thought a wool coat was a classic that couldn't go in or out but am I wrong?

OP posts:
ElftonWednesday · 01/02/2022 19:59

People are still wearing smart wool camel coats.

ElftonWednesday · 01/02/2022 20:02

Though you would have to prise my ten year old three quarter length down jacket which I wear for dog walking from my (warm) dead body.

mrssmiling · 01/02/2022 20:12

House of Bruar has some 100% wool coats…just one link.
www.houseofbruar.com/ladies-double-breasted-harris-tweed-military-coat-ts18100autumncheck/

Luredbyapomegranate · 01/02/2022 20:19

I work in central London and see a fair few wool coats..

alwaysontheloo · 01/02/2022 20:33

God I love wool coats. I have a real thing for them and I must have about 10 that are military style, fitted and long.
I don't give a toss what's in fashion anyway, I'm 50 this year and if I can't wear the clothes I love now then I will never be able to.

DDMAC · 01/02/2022 20:38

I have one and I wear it all the time! I hate wearing the same style as everyone else, refuse to by one of those puffy sleeveless things everyone is wearing here. I have actually been looking for another one, single breasted.

LaurieFairyCake · 01/02/2022 20:40

I've literally just bought a camel knee length Max Mara coat

It's gorgeous

Boood · 01/02/2022 20:58

@Butterismylife

Add me to the list of those wearing wool coats casually. Not sure why it hAs that association - like skirts and dresses, I also wear them very casually and rarely look dressed up or smart. I just swishing Grin

Seeing dresses or natural fibres in coats as ‘dressy’,seems a bit old fashioned to me. Like the person making that judgement is stuck in 1980.

Yes I think that only really applies if it’s a princess-type style with a nipped-in waist and full skirt. A wool coat in a less overtly feminine shape looks fab with jeans and boots or trainers imo.
Original poster
HardbackWriter · 01/02/2022 21:42

@LaurieFairyCake

I've literally just bought a camel knee length Max Mara coat

It's gorgeous

Ooh I bet it is - I so covet one of those!
OP posts:
RampantIvy · 01/02/2022 21:58

Are camel coats called camel because they are made from camel hair or because of the colour?

minniep · 01/02/2022 22:10

I love nice coats. I think peoples lives are just very casual right now . Where I am the pubs and hospitality are just getting back to normal so people really haven't been out getting dressed up.

schoolsoutforever · 01/02/2022 22:14

I like wool or (fake) fur. I don’t like the puffa coat trend. It’s too modern a look for me. I like a bit of history in my style. I don’t care whether it’s fashionable or not.

Puppylucky · 01/02/2022 22:27

I agree with a PP it's more about cut than fabric necessarily. I have a Crombie cut v masculine single breasted wool coat and a boucle 60s car coat and both of them look great dressed down. I also have my beloved ankle length swishy tartan wool coat which I only wear a couple of times a year but makes me happy every time I do.

Bertiebiscuit · 01/02/2022 23:30

Classic fitted wool or cashmere coats will never not be stylish, and are also warm and flattering to many women - just because everyone else wears whatever the shops/designers dictate doesn't mean we should all abandon our personal style - fashions come and go quickly anyway maybe trust your own taste and judgement - I'm sure those puffy coats & anoraks are warm But stylish, glamorous, nope

Empressofthemundane · 01/02/2022 23:48

I use a rain repellent puffy coat a lot.

But I own three wool coats. An 18 year old camel, Armani coat from Selfridges. It’s single breasted and very classic while sharply tailored. A black cocoon style coat with big snaps and funnel neck. And a Harris tweed raspberry herring bone with tie waste ending mid thigh- My favourite!

Iamthewombat · 01/02/2022 23:56

It’s easier to make puffer coats on the cheap, right? That will be why shops are desperate to sell them.

Making a tailored, structured coat from a heavy wool fabric takes much more craftsmanship. You can’t get away with crap stitching on the seams.

I wear my wool coats when it’s not tipping down or snowing (I have a Woolrich parka for such occasions, but it’s nowhere near as smart) and never feel unstylish.

Appalonia · 02/02/2022 00:37

I hate those puffa jackets that everyone seems to be wearing right now. They're so ugly! I can't wear them as I'm quite busty so I wear wool or furry coats. Just wear what you like and what suits you OP!

Drywhitefruitycidergin · 02/02/2022 01:01

I agree OP - i think it's a combination of weather and casual/wfh or just that the only place I go is school..

When we went into London a few weeks ago I noticed loads of people wearing lovely wool coats though. The Made me miss my favourite one which will now be worn next time I go to the office.

catwomando · 02/02/2022 01:39

I wear both a wool coat a d a puffs style one (not at the same time though Grin)

Puffs one for muddy walks and smarter coat for the shops and going out.

Bussinbussin · 02/02/2022 05:20

Ugh, this thread just cost me a fortune! Ted Baker Rosell coat on its way...

NotImpossible · 02/02/2022 08:44

I can't get on board with puffa coats - cheap down is so cruel, ethical down so expensive, and polyester is a bit crap - so I'm still wearing wool (proper wool, vintage coats, not a wool-mix) for warmth and outdoorsy waterproofs when it rains. I sometimes wonder about trying to get a bit more 'on trend' but I've never been fashionable so it's probably not worth starting now!

Wiennetta · 02/02/2022 09:15

@NotImpossible I don’t wear down for ethical reasons and there’s so many vegan alternatives now! Lots of companies use Primaloft or similar which is really warm even when wet. And there’s some really good companies which only make non-down puffer coats like Save The Duck, Noize, Elvine, Embassy of Bricks and Logs - they’re all properly warm and cruelty free.

ClaudiusTheGod · 02/02/2022 09:23

I see a lot of tailored wool coats in the City, on women of all ages.

NotImpossible · 02/02/2022 09:28

[quote Wiennetta]@NotImpossible I don’t wear down for ethical reasons and there’s so many vegan alternatives now! Lots of companies use Primaloft or similar which is really warm even when wet. And there’s some really good companies which only make non-down puffer coats like Save The Duck, Noize, Elvine, Embassy of Bricks and Logs - they’re all properly warm and cruelty free.[/quote]
That's interesting, thanks! I looked at some ethical down options a few years ago but they were way (way, way!) outside my budget then - I'll have to look again and check out Primaloft.

Chishnfips · 02/02/2022 09:57

I'd love an oversized single breasted long wool coat for casual use but my kind of casual is stomping through muddy fields so practical Didriksons parka it is. Plus I already have a red duffle coat which I can wear for going around town which I guess could technically be a wool coat and I don't wear that often but I'll never get rid of it because I like the paddington bear look when I'm mooching around London.