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Warning: This story might cause the sudden urge to purchase autumn coats from Selfridges.
As I brace myself for the changing seasons (and that sad day I swap my closet over from dainty summer dresses to chunky knits), the only thing that makes the cooler temps more palatable is the thought of slipping on some new outerwear.
There's nothing quite like it. A large, hero piece in any closet, autumn coats take serious consideration as it must be interesting enough to brighten up those grim winter days, but classic enough that it can go with most anything in your closet—and so you don't get tired of it in a month. Sounds like a near-impossible find, but when I stepped into Selfridges on Oxford Street (AKA London fashion girl mecca) in search of the perfect piece I realised my struggle was going to be not leaving the building with all the coats I tried on.
There are fabrications and prints I naturally gravitate towards. Leopard print is all the rage this season, with every luxury brand from Dior to Alaia leading the charge, but I tend to prefer its more subtle sister—the zebra print—which happens to be the statement stripes splattered across Marc Jacob's new collection, popping at Selfridges.
I couldn't resist trying on the iconic Saks Potts faux shearling lined coat that every self-respecting fashion girl seems to own and found myself falling in love with a stunning, oversized Frankie Shop denim duster that nearly came home with me.
Of course, chocolate brown, butter yellow and reds being a dominant colours trend for autumn, I had to sprinkle some throughout to test just how versatile they can be.
Even Katie Holmes can't get enough.
It's hard to miss the Marc Jacobs autumn 2024 collection that popped up in the atrium of Selfridges. Immediately I was drawn to the capsule's principal print—zebra. Splattered on dresses, knits and bags, I couldn't help but wonder how a full coat in the statement stripes would look and turns out, even when paired with a matching knit under, it certainly makes for a commanding outfit. I love the cocooning fit and its hefty weight that makes it as a warm as it is stunning.
We've all seen the Max Mara Teddy coat on everyone from Kim Kardashian to Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, so of course I had to try it on. I love the dramatic lapels that give this giant coat some structure from the front, but I found it quite overwhelming on my frame. I did, however, love how it paired with a dreamy Jil Sander knit dress in butter yellow—a colour combo so could you could almost taste it.
When legendary Belgian designer Dries van Noten announced his departure from his eponymous label, the fashion industry let out a collective gasp as we mourned the end of era. Thankfully, his work lives on as his studio team carries on the torch before his successor is named, and they're certainly doing his legacy justice. Just look at this paint-splashed trench in a blue gradient and printed silk skirt. I love the crisp tailoring of the trench coat and how the placement of different shades of blue gives the illusion of length and height.
A loyal fan of Frankie Shop, I rarely leave their stores in NYC or Paris without something in hand. The influencer-favourite brand strikes again with this denim duster, perfectly oversized with those signature '80s style shoulder pads and in a dark denim wash, so it could almost be styled with anything as if it were black. I also love how prints, like this zebra Marc Jacobs mini Dual bag pops against the coat.
Possibly one of *the* most popular coats beloved by Scandi It girls and beyond, this Saks Potts coat has been on my mind since it first debuted on the runway. Of course, it was even better on than I'd dreamed it would be. I assumed it would be heavy and the faux shearling detail overwhelming, but turns out it was incredibly lightweight and the shape very flattering even when worn with just a white tank top an denim. I always like to add a pop of colour so I figured the cherry red Jacquemus Le Bambino bag would go perfectly.
Chocolate brown has been hailed as one of this autumn's most important hues and it's easy to see why—a top-to-toe look like this one by JW Anderson and Frankie Shop immediately gives off serious quiet luxury vibes. Not to mention how good it looks with a pop of white or lemon yellow. It's an easy, lush-looking alternative to black.
You know how some coats just make you feel *expensive*? Well, this is one of them. Call me Blair Waldorf because the second I slipped on the coat, it transported me to the Upper East Side in NYC, and I felt its notorious Park Avenue Princess. The lush, textured coat is in such a dark forest green, it goes with just about anything, but I especially love how it pics up the earthy tones in the brown look underneath.
After more Dressing Room Diaries episodes? Shop new in Free People, new in M&S and new in Rixo and new in Sézane. For more from GLAMOUR UK's Fashion Editor Rosie Lai, follow her on Instagram @rosielai.
