How to nail your biggest wardrobe investment: the winter coat

Looking back at my relationship history, I could never be accused of having commitment issues. But when it comes to my wardrobe, different story.

I should start by saying I am a Piscean. Yes, the one who takes 25 minutes to order at a Vietnamese restaurant (don’t blame me, the menus are gigantic!). I’ve been eyeing a designer handbag for more than six months and just cannot bring myself to seal it with a click. The fact I am pregnant and have started measuring all discretionary purchases in “how many nappies/prams/onesies is that worth?” may have something to do with it.

It’s the same with buying a winter coat. It’s likely your most outer layer is the single biggest purchase you will make in any season. Good coats are designed to last but even when our pea brains can measure the cost-per-wear quite easily, the outlay can sometimes feel as weighty as buying a car.

But it needn’t be a credit card-maxing exercise. Legendary designer Jil Sander, whose latest unisex collection for UNIQLO goes on sale this week and is priced under $350, says a good coat “should be of a comfortable, quality material, it should have a great fit, thoughtful details and be adaptable to different climatic situations … A coat should also give you the smart, modern silhouette and subtle air of self-assurance.”

Sander says a coat should not be an impulse buy. “Sometimes, we are seduced by one aspect and neglect the problems we feel. But functionality and comfort shouldn’t be dislodged from the aesthetics. In my design, I try to translate practical aspects into innovative looks … But you have to make sure to find the perfect fit for you, especially with the contemporary oversize-look.”

Don’t just take it from an international fashion powerhouse. Margie Woods, of Australian label Viktoria & Woods, shares some of Sander’s wisdom when it comes to finding the perfect coat. She says a good coat should “blur the lines between casual and dressed up”.

Woods’ checklist includes a neutral colour, relaxed fit and easy texture that won’t annoy or irritate in a blend of wool and, if budget allows, cashmere. “You may have to pay a little more for quality but it will serve you well for years to come,” she says. “If it’s a forever coat, stick to beautiful toffee tones, soft grey marle or ivory.”