The Times Magazine 51ou’re either the sort of person who
was overjoyed at being able to wear
jeans and leisurewear for months,
or you’re the sort of person who
mourned their usual summer
wardrobe. I’m the latter. I would look at my
rails of lovely, unworn summer work clothes,
far too smart for the sofa, and feel sad. But
summer’s nearly over, and slightly to my
surprise, I realise that I want this autumn to
feel a bit special. I do not say this lightly. I’m
surprisingly frugal when it comes to clothes.
I wear all of mine for years, until no amount
of clever styling and new shoes makes them
look OK. I buy decent-quality stuff, often
lucky discoveries at an outlet village, and take
good care of them. But this year, I don’t want
to wear some old coat I bought ten years ago,
and I don’t want one that is merely practical.the lap of a horrified woman sitting in the lobby.
If you’re up for totally impractical joy,
Massimo Dutti has a gorgeous, white
handmade wool coat (above right, £249;
massimodutti.com). Alternatively, Mango’s
handmade wool-blend camel coat is slouchy,
belted and offers MaxMara-esque charm, but
for only £119.99 (mango.com).
Where are all the hoods? I can’t find a
single hooded coat out there that isn’t a parka.
If you make one, and it’s nice, let me know.
This bugs me as much as the difference in
sizing between big brands, which means I’m a
Zara large and a 10 everywhere else. So memo
to the designers: all skirts and dresses should
have pockets, sizes should be standardised, and
all coats should have hoods. With pockets and
hoods, we can smash the glass ceiling, or just
have an easier life. Either is fine. nY
Shop!Hilary Rose It’s almost time for a coat
- and 3. £249, massimodutti.com. 2. £129, zara.com.
I want something that sparks joy. God knows
we deserve it after the year we’ve had, and
cost per wear with a winter coat is probably
the lowest of anything we ever buy.
Happily, cost per wear doesn’t need to be
a major factor in whether or not you buy this
lovely limited-edition Zara wool-blend coat,
because it’s £129 (above, centre; zara.com).
Pooh Bear said that nobody can be uncheered
with a balloon, and I think that nobody can
be uncheered with a new blue coat. Wouldn’t
winter be more bearable in this? It has pretty
sleeves, sensible buttons that keep you warm
and don’t come undone, as opposed to a stupid
belt, and pockets. It’s long enough to cover
your bum – I cannot see the point of winter
outerwear that doesn’t cover your bum – but
not so long that you trip over it, as I once did
in a hotel in New York, depositing myself into1 2 3