Long coats for winter: four to wear now, plus two shorter layers
A long coat is the most flattering thing you can put on in winter, and every women's coat in this edit, including a long wool coat from Vilagallo, falls to the knee or below. Marc Cain's, at the top, is a warm tannin brown with a drawstring waist. Worn open over a chocolate roll neck, it looks finished before you have done anything else.
Beside the four long coats sit two shorter layers for milder mornings: a hooded jacket from Yaya and a quilted bomber from Marc Cain Sports.
At a glance:
- Marc Cain's tannin brown coat falls below the knee, with a drawstring waist.
- Vilagallo's black coat is virgin wool, midi length, with three rope and button fastenings down the front.
- Marc Cain's houndstooth comes in khaki green and camel, with a bright orange faux fur collar that buttons on.
- Vilagallo's houndstooth coat mixes olive, rust and mustard under a deep chocolate faux fur collar.
- For milder days: Yaya's hooded wool mix jacket and a Marc Cain Sports quilted bomber.
- How long should a winter coat be?
- A long wool coat with a military touch
- Houndstooth coats with faux fur collars
- How to style a long coat with trousers
- Two shorter layers for milder days
How long should a winter coat be?
For real warmth we like a coat that reaches the knee or just below it. That length covers a midi skirt and keeps the wind off your legs.
Marc Cain's tannin coat falls below the knee, with a centre vent at the back for walking. The drawstring is what we love most. Pull it in over a slim knit and the coat suddenly has a waist. Two deep patch pockets sit low, and a stand collar keeps the front clean.
A long wool coat with a military touch
Black is the colour many of us wear most in winter, and Vilagallo has given this one three rope and button frogs down the front, borrowed from military tailoring.
The coat is virgin wool, with real weight to it, and cut long and tailored so it skims the body. Wear it buttoned over black trousers and a grey knit, and the fastenings become the focus of the whole outfit.
Houndstooth coats with faux fur collars
A check coat brings the pattern to a winter outfit, so everything underneath can be simple.
Marc Cain's houndstooth is oversized and softly brushed, in khaki green against camel. An orange faux fur collar buttons on at the neck. We would wear it with the collar on for a race day or an autumn wedding, then take it off for lunch in town.
Vilagallo's houndstooth coat has olive, rust and mustard woven through it, and a deep chocolate faux fur collar to turn up against the cold. Contrast trim edges the welt pockets. It falls below the knee.
How to style a long coat with trousers
A long coat over wide-leg trousers is our favourite winter outfit. The coat falls over the top of the trouser, and the line runs from shoulder to shoe without a break.
Keep the trousers close in colour to the coat. Chocolate looks lovely under the tannin brown, and black under Vilagallo's wool coat. With either houndstooth, take one shade from the check, camel or olive perhaps, and wear it head to toe underneath.
Ankle boots with a small heel keep the trouser hem off wet pavements.
Two shorter layers for milder days
For mornings that start cold and turn bright, Yaya's hooded jacket in pale oatmeal is a wool mix cut oversized, so a chunky knit fits underneath. It zips to the chin, and a drawcord through the hem pulls the shape in at the back.
Marc Cain Sports' bomber is quilted and light, in a soft smoke shade with a gentle sheen. A two-way zip and a sporty stripe along the hem band finish it. We like it over jeans and a knit for a weekend walk.
Every coat here is in our coats collection, and there is more from Marc Cain and Vilagallo. A coat is easiest to choose in person, so give us a ring on 01937 585429 and we will have yours ready to try on in Wetherby.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a winter coat be?
For winter, a coat that reaches the knee or falls just below it gives the most warmth and covers a midi dress or skirt. If you are petite, a coat that finishes just below the knee keeps your proportions balanced. A vent at the back, like the one on Marc Cain's tannin coat, makes a longer length easy to walk in.
What should I wear under a long wool coat?
A long wool coat looks best over slim layers that do not bunch at the shoulder. A fine roll neck or a crew neck jumper with wide or straight trousers is our favourite combination. Under Vilagallo's black virgin wool coat we would wear black trousers with a grey or cream knit. For evenings, a midi dress works too, as long as its hem sits above the coat's.
How do you style a long coat with trousers?
Wide-leg or straight trousers work best, because the coat falls over them in one long line. Keep the trousers close in colour to the coat, or pick one shade from a check coat and wear it underneath from top to toe. Ankle boots with a small heel keep the trouser hem clear of the ground.
How do you look after a wool coat?
Brush a wool coat gently after wearing to lift off dust, and hang it on a wide, shaped hanger so the shoulders keep their line. Most wool coats need dry cleaning, but always check the care label first. Over the summer, store it in a breathable cotton cover, never in plastic.
Where can I buy Marc Cain coats in the UK?
We stock Marc Cain at Olivia Grace in Wetherby, West Yorkshire, and online at oliviagracefashion.co.uk. This winter that includes a tannin brown coat with a drawstring waist, a houndstooth coat with a detachable faux fur collar and a Marc Cain Sports quilted bomber. Call us on 01937 585429 and we can put a coat aside for you to try.
Written by Jackie
Jackie is the owner of Olivia Grace in Wetherby, where she hand-picks every piece from European collections. She has spent years helping customers find clothes that actually get worn.
