Fashion people show us the coats that will always have a place in their wardrobes
WORDS BY CAIT EMMA BURKE
Coat check.
I still remember the day I found my ideal coat. I was working at a consignment store and as soon as I pulled it out of the bag of clothes I was sorting, I knew it had to be mine. It’s really old French Connection (maybe ’90s?), a dark navy colour with long sleeves and a black faux fur trim. In short, it’s my dream coat.
Without fail, every time I wear it someone longingly asks me where it’s from, and I reply with the most frustrating answer a person can give when you want to purchase what they’re wearing: “It’s vintage”.
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Curious to see what coats take pride of place in some of our favourite creatives’ wardrobes, we asked them to share the ones that will always have a place in theirs.
Kara Otter, co-owner So Familia Store
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This coat is extra af and I literally have no room in my wardrobe for it so it lives under my bed so when I go to New York one day I can bring it! I got it at a Second Life Markets from an influencer and am obsessed with the fabric! The style is giving Almost Famous Penny Lane… but without the neutral hippie tones! I’m obsessed with print and texture clashing so for me it goes with everything!
Celeste Richardson, model
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I’m straying a bit from the brief and going with a jacket that will always have a place in my wardrobe, which is my vintage Dolce and Gabbana Graffiti jacket. I picked up this jacket at the Irvrsbl launch party back in March 2022. I am not afraid of a statement piece that’s for sure, so I instantly fell in love with this jacket; it’s the perfect blend of loud and versatile.
The best thing about this jacket is that I knew someone who had the matching pants and back in 2022 seconds after I bought the jacket I messaged said person expressing my interest in purchasing said pants. Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago, I received a text message that made me scream. I now have the matching set. This will remain in my wardrobe forever because it is so one of a kind but I now have the pants and this is just something that I will never be able to let go of.
Janine Zafra, founder of Brie Leon
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I sourced this coat from an Acne Studios archive sale in 2021 and have loved it ever since. My coat and jacket collection is my pride and joy, and this piece is one of my most worn year-on-year, not to mention in several autumn/winter shoots. Texture is my favourite style element to play with, and this piece nails that brief. The fabric paired with the boxy fit of the shoulders and the longline fit is hard to go past, and it’s a staple every autumn/winter. I’ll also never say no to a tortoiseshell detail, so the buttons are the cherry on top.
In terms of styling, I like pairing softer textiles with crisp cottons and denim. You’ll usually find me in this coat with a pair of everyday jeans and a button-up of some description, exactly as I’d style on set. For me, my wardrobe needs to serve a practical purpose. This coat is truly warm and not just a decoration, which is so important.
Olivia Mangan, founder of Goodbyes
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I purchased this coat, during the very first week of opening my store Goodbyes, nearly a decade ago. It carries nostalgia for the early days of business, many memorable customer interactions and it came with me on an unforgettable trip to New York that melded business and a family vacation. The label reads, designed by a Melbourne retailer called F.Rees, it’s vintage and the fabric is a unique wispy mohair and soft wool combo, loomed in Italy. With a timeless silhouette and special details like mohair-covered buttons, I think this one will be a lifetime piece.
Adray Minh, model with Stone Street Agency
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Hello, I’m Adray. I am an Auckland-based transfeminine model. My absolute favourite coat that will always come with me whenever I go is a long, black, vintage, Japanese wool coat. I think it was made in the late 1970s or early 1980s. It is extremely masculine and gives Demna’s Balenciaga way ahead of its time. I enjoy the challenge of contrasting masculine and feminine styles, muted colour palettes and bold colour combinations, and extreme classic and modern funky styles. Here is an outfit of mine in it with my blue New Balance 9060, a Glassons wrap top and a Zambesi denim skirt.
Tutti Bennett, model with Bella Management
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Thirty-two years ago, on a holiday in San Francisco with my family, I was in Fisherman’s Wharf and this coat called out to me from a tiny rack in a tiny shop. The moment I put it on and wrapped myself in its incredibly cosy, uber-soft, vermillion, mathematical-print faux-fur, with its enveloping collar, I knew I had to have it. Fast forward three decades and I’ve worn it consistently every winter. It’s a tried and true staple, that inspires comments from people in the street and always sparks conversations. It still looks like new, and whenever I put it on I am reminded of the joy of holidays and the treasures we find when we least expect it.
Lily Guthrie, stylist and model agent
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I am the trench coat’s biggest fan, always have been, always will be, which makes it extremely hard to pick just one to mark as my favourite. At any given time throughout my life, I have been the proud owner of a few coat staples. The first is a leather trench that I picked up at Tweed Heads Vinnies for $20 when I was 14 years old.
The second is my light Uniqlo trench, always a guaranteed epic transeasonal fit. I also love a wool or cashmere floor-length coat, like my Aprés Studios coat here. However, currently, I have been living in this high-neck beauty found at the Camberwell Markets for $15. To me, there is nothing more chic than a pointed-toe boot and a floor-length black coat over literally any outfit (pyjamas included).
Kimberley Boyles, model with Stone Street Agency
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My mom was the OG Office Siren, she would always try to spice up her work attire with statement pieces. The most specific items she always had in her closet were variations of military-style blazers with embellished buttons and tassels. Earlier this year I found the perfect navy coat on eBay. I have been gravitating towards it a lot and I love knowing I can wear something that reminds me of my mum’s iconic workwear fits.
Madison Lloyd, comedian and content creator with Bella Management
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My go-to jacket (technically not a coat but fashion is about breaking rules right?) is a vintage black leather bomber. She’s a new lover with an old soul that I bought last year at a vintage store in Rome – always check the men’s section, ladies. On the last day of my trip, I stumbled upon the shop post a near-death Lime scooter experience.
A sweet conversation with the owner in broken English and Italian (and many hand gestures) later, I walked out with a huge discount, a confidence boost and a forever wardrobe staple that makes me look way cooler than I am. She’s the perfect oversized fit, the leather is butter soft, just the right amount of worn-in and I’m yet to find an outfit that she doesn’t play nice with, from a sequin gown to a pair of trackies. It may even be the first time I’ve been ahead of a fashion trend.
Emmanuel Hakizimana, stylist and model with People Agency
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My winter go-to coat would be my oversized, brown checked wool coat I thrifted a while back. I first fell in love with the length of the coat which reaches my mid-shin, emphasising the dramatic look, while preserving some space to show off any pairing of bottoms and shoes. Some of the other features I love are its boxy shape and broad shoulders.
My all-time favourite look incorporating this coat was when I paired it with some black and purple Acne Studios tights, a grey sweater and a black button-up. I also loved pairing the coat with bright blue tights, a striped button-up and Martine Rose x Nike sneakers, which was a look I wore during Melbourne Fashion Week.
Maia Rose, model with People Agency
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There’s one particular vintage shop in Melbourne (that I will gatekeep forever) that I trek out to when I’m in the mood to find something really special. For some mysterious reason, I always seem to have the best luck in there. When I walked in this season and saw this trench coat on the mannequin, I instantly gravitated towards it.
I love its subtle frilled detailing, light grey colour, elegant shoulder pads and the fact that it’s floor length. In my opinion, a trench coat should always be floor length – I can wear anything I want under this jacket and instantly look chic. Throw it on with a simple, silk neck scarf and sunglasses and it’s the perfect outfit for me.
Rosaline Kanneh, model, hairstylist and content creator with Bella Management
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I purchased this coat from Blanca this year, and I’m obsessed! My friend saw it in the store and called me straight away, telling me “It has your name all over it!”. This gold-embellished coat is far from average; it’s loud and will catch anyone’s eye. Its appeal to me is that it’s unique, and I personally don’t think just anyone can pull it off.
It takes the kind of person who’s confident enough to stand out from the crowd, and that’s why I knew this would be perfect for me. This Blanca coat will always have a place in my wardrobe, as it highlights my eccentric taste and vibrant personality.
Tuba Dagli, content creator
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On a random day, a surprise package arrived from Glassons containing a beige coat that instantly caught my attention. I was intrigued yet sceptical about this piece, since I’m someone who typically rocks an edgy, alternative aesthetic. To my surprise the moment I slipped it on, it felt like it was time to add something sophisticated to my wardrobe. Its neutral hue blended seamlessly with my modest alternative fashion. This coat has now become my go-to layer, it effortlessly elevates every fit. What started as an unexpected gift soon became my cherished staple. Sometimes the best fashion finds come when you least expect them.
Looking to invest in a winter coat? Try these tips.
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