{"id":159845,"date":"2018-03-12T14:48:40","date_gmt":"2018-03-12T14:48:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theindustry.fashion\/aw18-key-items-coat-wars\/"},"modified":"2021-08-12T13:52:22","modified_gmt":"2021-08-12T13:52:22","slug":"aw18-key-items-coat-wars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theindustry.fashion\/aw18-key-items-coat-wars\/","title":{"rendered":"AW18 key items: Coat wars"},"content":{"rendered":"
Oh for the days when parkas reigned supreme. It was all so easy back then as the parka took a starring role in any outerwear strategy<\/strong> while \u2018traditional\u2019 coats were, well, a bit too traditional to generate excitement.<\/p>\n Today though, everything's been shaken up and outerwear choices are a lot harder<\/strong>. The recent AW18 shows certainly rammed that message home. Many labels were outerwear obsessed, which may not come as a shock given that these were autumn and winter shows. But after quite a few seasons in which product was much more transitional<\/strong> and targeted at global shoppers who don't have to worry about the weather, it did come as a surprise.<\/p>\n So what did the shows offer us? A big trend for traditional mannish overcoats<\/strong> cut in ways that didn't feel very traditional. Puffers, continuing their cool key item comeback. And blanket wraps. Remember them? Those leftovers from the late 70s and the 80s that simply haven't been around for absolutely ages? They now make up a crossover category from the capes that are always bubbling under and the ponchos that ebb and flow on the trend front. Then there are ultra-fuzzy textures, faux fur that is clearly not real and even real furs trying to get away with looking as faux as possible.<\/p>\n And that's not to mention shearling. It was big news on the runway, but we\u2019ll save that for a more shearling-focused trend piece.<\/p>\n Traditional twists<\/strong><\/p>\n The traditional overcoat (pictured top)<\/em> is big news for the season ahead. It will be a brave move for the high street to pick this one up given how resistant many consumers are traditional coating.<\/strong> But it's less of a brave move at the higher end where the customer is always looking for something new and different from what the mainstream is wearing. These coats really are overcoats - that is, they'll go over everything (with the odd exception where they\u2019re cut long and skinny, 1970s style.)<\/p>\n For the most part they're wide and roomy, sometimes too wide to be practical with shoulders that you'd struggle to squeeze through a doorway<\/strong>. They come in power colours or more muted traditional tweeds and checks. Designers also play with materials, using contrasting fabrics and patterns in one piece.<\/p>\n This traditional coat can be found in all lengths from 1960s-style car coat-length to floor-sweeping, as mentioned. And they come with furry collars too. But the best stick with their traditional roots, coming in a masculine style with their tweaked, generous proportions ending anywhere from mid-knee to mid-calf.<\/p>\n Puffer power<\/strong><\/p>\n