It's that time of year, folks. It's getting darker earlier, we're packing away our sandals, and waving a final goodbye to summer. While there are plenty of reasons to mourn the most footloose-and-fancy-free time of year, your wardrobe isn't one of them.
In fact, while summery midi floral dresses, poplin blouses, and wicker basket bags hold their own, we believe the pieces autumn and winter bring are far more exciting. Slogan knits, Chelsea boots, baker boy hats, faux fur accessories, velvet finishes – the sartorial choices come September are endless. And then there's choosing your winter coat.
It's the piece you wear the most this season, taking you from chilly October evenings right through 'til February. If you're at a loss on which shape or style to choose, click through to see the five styles we're coveting this year, from fuzzy textures to classic trenches.
Faux fur is synonymous with both the excess of Joan Rivers and Cruella de Vil, and the coolness of Margaret Tenenbaum and Penny Lane. Right now, it's more versatile than ever thanks to the likes of Shrimps and Charlotte Simone. Miu Miu, Anya Hindmarch, and Dries Van Noten all showcased colour pop textures, injecting a little fun into our wardrobes. Our favourite cuts have cute little Peter Pan collars, or no collars at all, but either way, the bolder the faux fur the better. Keep snug and pair yours with step-hem denim and stomping boots.
We predict a sell-out. This postbox-red is divine.
Mango Lapels Faux Fur Coat, £119, available at Mango.
The muted tone of this Parka London faux fur is ideal for layering over any get up.
Parka London Isabel Sage Faux Fur Coat, £280, available at Parka London.
Go classic with navy, and channel the '70s with a roll neck and loafers.
Whistles Cosmo Coat, £1,500, available at Whistles.
Soft by name, soft by nature - this jacket reminds us of Monsters, Inc.'s Sully (in the best way).
Charlotte Simone Big Softie Jacket, £750, available at Charlotte Simone.
Psychedelic patterns galore thanks to French Connection.
French Connection Lorna Faux Fur Long Sleeved Jacket, £175, available at French Connection.
Update a classic print with Shrimp's olive number.
Shrimps Patrick Coat, £595, available at Shrimps.
Padded jackets transitioned from ski enthusiast to streetwear last year, and this season's offering has returned bigger and better. Rihanna led the way with Fenty x Puma floor-skimming checked jackets, Rick Owens went conceptual with larger-than-life padded pieces, and Phillip Lim played with proportion by belting nipped-in waists. There are no rules with this one – printed, colourful, muted, patent, or velvet, there's a quilted jacket for everyone's taste.
We feel warm just looking at this one. Team with your athleisure pieces.
Nicopanda Uptown Quilted Shell Coat, £680, available at Selfridges.
This is just one of six reasons you should add Maje's collaboration with American brand Schott to your payday wish list.
Maje Cropped Reversible Bomber Jacket, £290, available at Maje.
Arket has bought minimalism to our high streets, and this is the most Scandi way to do a padded jacket.
Arket Nylon Liner Jacket, £69, available at Arket.
This lilac looks best with black or fuchsia.
Ienki Ienki Purple Michelin Belted Puffer Jacket, £970, available at Browns.
Ganni gets it so right again - we'll be layering this over our floral dresses.
Ganni Fountain Down Jacket, £250, available at Ganni.
If sportswear isn't your thing, this corduroy edition is the best way to do the padded jacket.
Light Before Dark Red Corduroy Cropped Puffer Jacket, £85, available at Urban Outfitters.
Go for winter resort vibes with this belted hooded Warehouse one.
Warehouse Short Panel Belted Wadded Coat, £89, available at Warehouse.
You may have noted that every street styler at Copenhagen Fashion Week was sporting a checked blazer or coat with their ditsy florals and washed denim. Prince of Wales is back, and no longer for landed gentry or boys' clubs. Off-White, Mulberry, and Alexander Wang paraded the traditional grey print down the catwalks, with Marc Jacobs, Pringle of Scotland, and Lacoste presenting it in more autumnal tones. You can always try a little more colour – like Esteban Cortazar and House of Holland – with pinks, blues, and yellows running through the print. Either way, it's time to check your coat.
Ankle-grazing and chunky checks - we're digging this Monki coat.
Monki Wool Coat, £85, available at Monki.
We're still lusting after pink and red, and this Claudie Pierlot piece ticks the box.
Claudie Pierlot Giant Checked Cotton-Blend Coat, £210, available at Selfridges.
We love the side detailing on this Uterque coat.
Uterque Long Checked Coat, £215, available at Uterque.
A classic shape and print, pair yours with minimalist bags and brogues.
Masscob Double-Breasted Checked Wool-Tweed Coat, £431, available at Matches.
Go full two-piece and wear a band T underneath.
Zara Double Breasted Coat, £69.99, available at Zara.
The longer sleeves and wide collar make this Christian Wijnants coat stand out.
Christian Wijnants Checked Coat, £759, available at Farfetch.
Is there anything sartorially sexier than a patent coat? Equal parts The Matrix, Blade Runner, and punk, there's something both rebellious and futuristic about the high-shine piece. While we invested last year when the hype began, this season has seen shapes evolve. Teatum Jones' navy number was a trench coat hybrid, Au Jour Le Jour went all-out glamour with textured trimmings, and Sonia Rykiel's brown jacket featured OTT pockets. Whether you stick with black or go down the red route, make it shiny and slick.
Uterque's burgundy number is workwear appropriate.
Uterque Patent Finish Trench Coat, £175, available at Uterque.
This boxy biker is perfect in the transition period before the cold kicks in.
Lindex Jacket, £59.99, available at Lindex.
This postbox red is a scene stealer (and waterproof to boot).
Mango Buttoned Vinyl Trench, £89.99, available at Mango.
Embrace the biker look in this high-shine Vinyl piece.
Amazon FIND Women's Vinyl Coat, £61, available at Amazon
The perfect length, we love Topshop's Beetlejuice trousers here, too.
Topshop Clean Vinyl Trench Coat, £110, available at Topshop.
Patent doesn't need to mean plastic. Marques'Almeida's shearing and leather coat has a patent sheen.
Marques'Almeida Shearling and Crinkled Patent-Leather Coat, £2,510, available at Net-A-Porter.
ASOS does this red double-breasted trench in black, too.
ASOS Trench Coat in Vinyl, £90, available at ASOS.
This is the furthest end of the shiny spectrum - we told you to go bold.
Monki Shiny Vinyl Coat, £50, available at Monki.
Ah, the trench coat. A mainstay of Audrey Hepburn, Carey Grant, and Humphrey Bogart, the classic jacket is a perennial transitional piece. Pair it with an umbrella and you have one of the most British looks going, but this season the trench got a contemporary refresh. While AW17 catwalks bought us navy trenches at APC, denim at Adam Selman, and leather at Lacoste, you don't have to be experimental with fabrics and colours to make the coat relevant. Wear it in classic camels, greys, and sands, but team with box fresh trainers, wide-legged trousers, and statement earrings. We'll be donning ours until the frost properly bites.
How well does denim go with a trench? thanks, Toppers.
Topshop Classic Trench Coat By Boutique, £160, available at Topshop.
Double-breasted, oversized, and layered over a roll neck. Casablanca -esque perfection.
Mango Double Breasted Trench, £99.99, available at Mango.
We like the illusion aspect of this one from &Other Stories. Super flattering round the waist, too.
&Other Stories Wool Trenchcoat, £165, available at &Other Stories.
You can rely on COS for classic with a contemporary cut. This one is heavier, so will last the season.
COS Trench Coat With Large Pockets, £175, available at COS.
Of course Ms Chung was going to provide the trench coats of our dreams this autumn.
Alexachung Oversized Trench Coat, £725, available at Alexachung.
Perhaps our pick of the bunch, the large belt and chunky buttons just improve this oversized trench.
H&M Trenchcoat, £99.99, available at H&M.
Want more like this?
Introducing The Ruff – The High Neck Hero Your Autumn Wardrobe Needs 5 Autumn Beauty Trends We'll Be Trying This Season Add Some Space-Age Shine To Your Wardrobe With These Intergalactic Pieces
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
I Love This Zara Suit, & Apparently I'm Not The Only One
The Latest & Other Stories Collab Has Been Announced & We're In Love