If you started your coats collection from scratch, what would you have without excess?

[LoopingTwice]

I have never been a coats person, thinking them expensive heavy necessary evil, probably stemming from wearing heavy coats growing up in cold climate.

Now in my 40s in the UK, through trial and error, I am almost at peace with my selection. I have:

A navy wool wrap coat from Jaeger (2 years old)
A navy down duvet long coat from Gant (new)
A long black trench from Warehouse when it was good, leather buckle (about 10 years old)
A short black leather bike from Debenhams collab with Preen (about 12 years old)
Dark olive waisted utility jacket from Baukjen (1 year old)
Black waxed jacket from Belstaff (about 5 years old, an expensive mistake, but I am trying to love it or might sell)
Black longline fur lined ultimate biker from Whistles that looks like a long aviator (3 years old and another mistake, but I will wear it for local walks and gym to get the value)

What is missing is a something light in colour and versatile for spring-summer like the denim jackets used to be - I looked at the windbreakers but I am short and small, they swallowed me.

And a faux fur coat that I should have bought instead of the Whistles biker. DD has one and I love the mob wife vibes….

I have -
a light jacket for mild weather
a medium thickness coat for cooler days
a think padded long cost for winter
a warm smart black coat for occasions
a smart jacket for going out
a bolero for wedding s/ big events

I don’t need any extra

I forgot a Uniqlo collarless black liner, a real workhorse

I have a green/grey ish spring come autumn jacket from Asda.
A Scottish Rugby Jacket for the Rugby which is navy
A dryrobe for pitch side when dc are playing which is a light blue
A long puffer from Marks and Spencer. Navy
A short puffer from Unliqo, again in Navy
A leather jacket from Reiss in Black
A wool navy trench from Reiss via Vinted
Two over head hoodie style water proof jackets from Puffit. One is pink and the other in Charcoal.
Denim jacket
A couple of body warmers.

I love coats. I have loads!
I’d struggle to start from scratch I think…

My current selection are all quite practical rather than fashionable. I live on the coast and it’s very windy (and usually wet although not at the moment!). I tried to wear my woollen city coats when I first moved here and quickly gave up because walking around smelling of wet sheep is not pleasant never mind the weight of it and the age it takes to dry. Likewise my more outdoorsy coat which I’d been able to wear down to quite cold temperatures in the city left me shivering as it was no match for the wind.

I now have two full length puffa coats (not at all stylish but years of shivering on the side of sports pitches means I no longer care), a mid length puffa, a waist length puffa, a waterproof trench, a waterproof jacket, two wool coats, a leather jacket, a denim jacket and a fleece (only used for layering under the other coats). I also have a gilet and a chunky fleece for work and two blazers(which I don’t count as coats). These fit my current lifestyle, although the wool coats are rarely worn, but if I moved elsewhere/no longer had children some of my choices would become more aesthetically pleasing.

A Reiss knee length camel colour wool coat - expensive mistake doesn’t really suit me. I must sell it, I’ve only worn it once.

Navy trench coat from John Lewis, dh calls it my “Police coat” and that’s put me off it 🙁

black leather biker jacket - great for nights out.

denim jacket, I get a lot of wear out of this.

a two in one waterproof/ fleece jacket for dog walking.

Just bought a padded knee length waterproof coat from fat face for the winter, got it half price in summer sale, it’s a lovely dark green, looking forward to wearing it.

I have a:
denim jacket
navy trench coat
aubergine wool coat
cobalt blue waterproof long jacket
blue lightweight rain jacket

Sorry I just had to jump in - I currently live in a tropical climate, moving back to the UK soon and of all the things I'm looking forward to Coat Buying sits very high up there! And I'll be starting from scratch! Currently my dream list is

• long, ankle length and fitted black or dark grey wool
• huge fake fur - quite possibly in the loudest most outrageous colour I can find, likely will be a mistake but I've spent years wanting one
• biker jacket - maybe a belstaff but I am heeding the ops words
• denim jacket - or possibly more of a fitted heavy duty cotton jacket
• full length puffer jacket and a crop puffer gillet both for dog walking, dDog is going to need the same as she is going to be in shock at UK weather!

I’ve got a grey woollen fisherman’s coat that blocks wind superbly, a brown corduroy blazer, a denim jacket, my olive big winter coat, a really good waxed jacket and a hooded Superdry gilet. Oh and my black military style funeral coat.

I never have the right coat. I've got a demin jacket, a black faux suede biker, a smart burgundy wool one for work, a navy trench, a pack-up waterproof jacket and a shapeless but practical black full length puffer and yet I often don't have the right coat for either the weather or the outfit. I much prefer this time of year when I don't have to bother with them.

I have:
A long black ‘football managers coat’ from Craghoppers. It’s extremely warm and waterproof.
A duffel coat from Asda with a fur hood.
A dark green waterproof and wind proof below hip length coat from French connection. It’s what I wear when it’s not quite cold enough to wear the craghoppers coat.

A black wooden coat with a thick fur trim from Next. This is my posh winter coat. Reserved for posh events.
A short blue regatta coat. No hood so can’t wear it in the rain. Very warm and lightweight though.
A navy waterproof and windproof thinner coat from Regatta. Idea for warmer, wetter weather.
A black leather jacket from Lipsy.
A purple blazer bought for work.
Ditto a black blazer.
A very thin fold away green shower proof coat.
A long purple cardigan coat.
I do a lot of waking so need various types of coats.

I have a technical waterproof jacket, and a padded winter jacket (also waterproof, it rains a lot where I am) both from outdoor hiking brands.
A pack away padded lightweight puffer jacket from M&S.
A long black belted wool coat for when I need to be smart.
A light navy Blazer for when I need to be smart but it’s too warm for a big coat.

I’d like something windproof and lightweight that doesn’t look quite so practical but haven’t really come up with anything yet.

So you havent divided your coats and jackets up 😬

I have about 30 jackets in linen/wool/cashmere - all blazer types. I live in London so these are what I wear about 7/8 months of the year. Also have a few leather biker jackets which are for the cooler weather only, they don’t really get worn any more.

Coats - they’re really only for about 3 months of the year. In all weights (cashmere/wool/fake fur) I have perhaps 20 of those.

In general both my jackets and coats are in every bright colour as I love bright coloured coats.

Most of my coats are from charity shops or Vinted except my most recent one which is a long brown wool coat from Toast .
They would be easyish to replace …
chocolate brown suede mid length
vintage long navy wool and cashmere
black velvet long coat Boden - useful for funerals (Vinted)
brown cotton tweed style jacket joules (Vinted ) I’d love to find this in wool as it’s cotton .
seasalt rain mac blue
trespass waterproof olive green parka (Vinted )
vintage Danamac beige trench
denim chore jacket
real mink vintage given by my dmil which I need to sell not my style at all .

once the cold weather hits I’ll mostly be in the Toast one to get the cost per wear down 😂

Get a short car coat if you want something light and versatile. Lots out there right now.

My favourite is a beautiful wool M&S coat. The sleeves are shaped like a tulip and it’s so unusual for that. It makes every single outfit look intentional.

I have loads of coats & jackets, I think many people overlook them but it’s an item that we wear a lot.

Long puffer coats in various colours, with & without hoods.
Short puffer coats as above
wool long coats in black & grey
leather biker black
leather knee length black
suede jackets in different styles & colours
Quilted cotton jackets in various prints & colours
Silky or velvet dusters for evenings - I hate ruining a nice dressy outfit with a mismatched coat.
fake fur coats in various colours & lengths
barn jacket in khaki
blazer style lightweight jackets in all sorts of lengths & colours, embroidery, beading, sequins etc
There will be some denim in there too but not worn in years.

Thats all I can recall at the moment!

edited to add rain macs in a few lengths & colours

Coats/jackets are my favourite category - I live in NE Scotland! I have:

Long black down Arket puffer
Long black wool (mix) wrap Weekday coat
Long quilted/puffer coat in bright orange from &OS - my absolute favourite and a real Marmite item. Every single time I wear it people stop to tell me they love it, but I know other people totally loathe it!
Short green quilted jacket from Hush
Knee length quilted khaki coat from Arket
Short cream quilted jacket from Cos
Mid calf Zara chocolate brown faux fur
Hip length leopard ASOS faux fur
Black vintage faux fur jacket
Black oversized biker leather jacket from H&M
Black bonded leather jacket from Whistles (another real workhorse)
Levi’s washed black denim jacket - it’s quite oversized, I think it’s called a “trucker” fit
Blue oversized denim jacket

If I was starting again from scratch I would want a leather jacket, a wool coat, a denim jacket, and a long and short puffer/quilted option.

1 waterproof in teal
1 thigh length windproof/waterproof softshell green
1 long padded navy coat - smart enough for work and a casualish funeral
1 grey spring/early autumn jacket

this is plenty. I only added the windproof this April as I was scarred from all the wind and rain in the kids football season this winter. I suspect I caused the heat wave.

My most useful coat is a short padded navy one. Warm enough for a many a cool day but also very lightweight. I hate heavy coats generally but especially if its too mild.

I also have a long very warm navy puffa from Uniqlo (men's) for the depths of winter.

For smart wear in winter, I have a brown wool coat.

For smarter wear in spring and autumn, I have a trench coat and a Barbour style (but H&M).

For summer I have a chore jacket and a lightweight bomber. And I've just bought a Uniqlo pac a mac.

I do also have a couple of technical jackets for bike riding etc.

I did start my coat collection from scratch a few years ago

I have

A navy full length Max Mara wool coat
A beige Burberry trenchcoat (replacing a similar style Ted Baker one that didn't wear well)
A black lightweight Barbour raincoat
A black Barbour full length puffa coat
White denim jacket from Crew Co
Black All Saints leather jacket
Beige Belstaff suede jacket

I am lacking probably.

I have:
Denim jacket - worker style, new item
green shacket - its old, and too big but i love it so won’t part with it - but its reserved for walking the dog.
grey long rain coat with hood
one burgundy short down puffer jacket

At the end of winter this year I layered the latter two in winter - I am losing weight and reluctant to buy anything pricey.

I am lacking a smarter coat - had a tan formal style one and a more casual canvas jacket with cord collar that I typically work for meals out etc, both too big. I will probably replace the latter this autumn.

I also think I need a lighter raincoat. Mine is fine for colder weather but not summer rain - not that we have had any lately!!

I don’t have a coat!
But, I think I will eventually have:
one maxi length black wool smart coat
one mid thigh length camel coat
one leather jacket with belt
one smart raincoat
one casual throw on rain jacket.
And perhaps a down puffer hooded one.

Thank God you came on the thread, I was feeling guilty! I have an addiction to coats and jackets, they completely change an outfit. I have 30 coats and jackets (I am not including anything I use for sports as they are necessary!), they all get a spin out every year and I couldn't part with any of them. I aspire to your wardrobe!

I rarely wear coats. I get too hot on public transport.

I have one M&S Barbour knock off(bought when tipping down in Manchester).
One leather jacket which is many sizes too big now and when I get to goal I will replace it.

I could use something lighter for when it’s raining.

I love coats and jackets. I think I have…

Full length wool coat
Knee length wool coat
Denim jacket
leather biker jacket
bomber style leather jacket
heavy weight warm waterproof Didriksin coat
Short puffa
Short cotton beige lightweight jacket as alternative to denim jacket when wearing jeans
faux fur jacket for smart occasions in winter
Khaki utility style jacket
Rab quilted jacket for walking
north face waterproof shell for walking when risk of rain
barn jacket style for autumn
short suede zipped jacket with collar - early autumn for office wear
Rain Coat for wet days going to work/town autumn
Black wool blazer
short lightweight jacket with hood for summer - showerproof
beige belted mac

I think that’s them all. I’d miss all of them if I had to start again, they’re all worn but suit difference work/leisure activities and seasons plus year round wet weather options because it rains a lot here.