There are few more vital additions to an autumn/winter wardrobe than outerwear, and the best winter coats are those that not only keep out the cold weather but look good, too. From cosy down-filled puffer jackets to waterproof coats and this season’s most coveted design – the barn jacket – these are the styles our editors are wearing in the city and the countryside this season.
If you’re headed to the slopes and one of the best ski resorts in Europe, a more specific curation of the best ski jackets might be what you need, or if you’re flying with hand luggage only, why not consider our edit of the best packable puffer jackets.
Find the best winter coats by category:
This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date. Additional reporting by Sarah Leigh Bannerman.
Puffer jackets
If keeping warm is your MO, or you’re heading to a wintery city for one of the best Christmas markets in Europe then a puffer jacket is the obvious coat of choice. Our favourites this season come in autumnal chocolate brown and khaki green hues and feature practical additions like elasticated drawstrings at the waist or hem that can be secured or left loose depending on style preference and outside temperatures. Brands like Panagaia are guaranteed to deliver, but Uniqlo’s offering makes a comeback every autumn/winter for a reason – it’s affordable, and it lives up to its chill-defying promise.
Coats with a hood
When choosing a coat with a hood, fabrics, shapes and style options are ample. For crisp winter days in the city, the S Max Mara wool coat will make an elegant addition to layered outfits – think cashmere roll-necks and denim or leather trousers with boots – but if the function is a key focus, the Lululemon long parka and the North Face jacket are our go-to’s this season. Travelling light? Stutterheim’s raincoats will fold up nicely without adding extra weight to your carryon.
Waterproof coats
Sometimes, a showerproof coat just won’t cut it. To avoid getting caught out while braving the great outdoors this season, invest in one of our editor-approved waterproof coats. Rains is a brand we love not only for its outerwear but for its weekender bags, too, while Barbour’s return to the fashion spotlight makes a strong case for the longline trench coat – it comes in a few colours, but the freshness of the steel-grey version means it will still feel relevant come April and its unpredictable showers.
Trench coats
Classic, with a heritage-inspired aesthetic and that all-important practicality slant, the trench coat is a style our editors keep on rotation all year long. The lightweight and showerproof nature of the design makes it ideal for days when travel is on the agenda, but the timelessness of a good cut also translates well to dinner on arrival. For something outside of the norm, choose Loewe’s sculpted-sleeve version, or got for an effortlessly layered look with Ganni’s double-lapel design – an especially strong choice if a weekend in Copenhagen is on your radar.
Barn jackets
We might have been wearing the barn jacket (or field jacket as it’s often referred to) on every UK countryside staycation for the past ten years, but it’s suddenly having a ‘fashion moment’. No longer just relevant when trudging through the Yorkshire moors or working your way around the best pubs in the Cotswolds, our editors are wearing it in London, too. Barbour is the style’s pioneer, but we love the sleek take on the look by Anthropologie.
Scarf coats
Think of the scarf coat as two winter items in one. Toteme first brought this style to the scene and while its original is still our top pick, other brands have interpreted the matching look in a way that’s equally chic. Joseph’s camel design brings snowy New York film scenes to mind, while Cos keeps things understated (we’re taking this to Berlin) with an all-back, leather-trimmed design.
Leather jackets
Arguably not the most weather-proof option in our list of the best women’s winter coats for travel, but one no wardrobe should lack and a failsafe for sharpening up a look in an instant. The aviator jacket is the anomaly – its weight makes it super cosy, and we’re wearing chocolate brown instead of black this season thanks to Me+Em’s luxuriously soft iteration. When trying out the best new restaurants in London or the best bars in Paris, we’ll be adding a boxier, vintage-inspired silhouette from the likes of Khaite or Sandro.
