Fashion

Cosy Up
A day at the races means looking the part but feeling warm with it, so thank goodness this season’s must have is the coat, says Molly Gunn, fashion & lifestyle writer for The Daily Telegraph, ES Magazine and Grazia.

Style fans rejoice. For once, Autumn / Winter fashion is as practical as can be. The temperature dip has coincided with a wealth of new-season wares that are both super-stylish and warm. Which is music to our chilly ears during Jump Racing season.

With designer catwalk collections unanimously unveiling the current ‘must have’ as the winter coat, it feels as if fashion and common sense have collided for one magical season only. And one can’t help feeling that this meeting of minds is bang on cue, because right now there’s nothing we’d rather do than wrap up sensibly but look good with it, especially for a day at the races, where style is - almost - as important as the horses.

Thanks to the coat’s return-to-form as the key wardrobe piece (did it ever really go away?), there are a wealth of varieties to choose from, so many, that each comes with its own distinctive moniker. Shearling, pea-coats, capes, duffles, military, parkas, swing, double-breasted, trenches, anoraks, fisherman coats, cocoons… it would take the most ardent of style fans to pick them all out in a line-up.

If these aren’t your thing, try a more classic touch of the seventies: both camel and capes are back on the radar. Camel hasn’t been so ‘in’ since Lauren Hutton romanced in Love Story, and a soft wool camel coat or cape can do you no wrong right now. This French Connection number is hard to beat, as long as you stay away from the mud. In fact, capes, generally, are a winning ticket for race days, as they offer all-encompassing warmth with ease of movement (especially ideal when throwing your arms about in celebration at the finish line).

Camel cape coat by French Connection

If you’re after double style kudos go for leopardprint and shearling coats, which neatly tick two trend boxes at once. Leopardprint and shearling are two key fabrics of the season, and it’s worth celebrating that these also both happen to be very warm indeed, which make them ideal for wearing on inclement race days. We especially love Sonia by Sonia Rykiel’s leopardprint number, which would give Bet Lynch a run for her money, and D&G’s shearling parka, which is casual chic at its utmost.

And with great coats come stellar accessories. The coat’snatural accompaniment – the leather boot - is handily also having time in the spotlight. Sturdy, knee-high styles like these beautiful Trailmaster boots by Italian leather-experts Belstaff are so durable that they’ll last for years.

While on the flip-side ‘fashion’ boots such as these ankle-wedges by ASOS, or heeled hiking boots by Topshop, are perfect for those that like a bit of glamour (and height) with their outdoor chic.

Thanks to fashion’s cosy edge this season, dressing well for the races is a wonderful no brainer. If a great coat is teamed with a super boot it’s hard to see how one can go wrong… whatever we’re wearing underneath.

Get the Look- Molly Style

Like Molly's style? You can get her look too- here are five outfits you can impress your friends with, while staying warm at the races.

LOOK 1

1. Faux fur leopardprint coat, £368, Sonia by Sonia Rykiel from www.my-wardrobe.com.
2. Arla sheepskin cuff boots, £80, by Topshop from www.topshop.com
3. Leather keeper detail satchel, £70 by ASOS from www.asos.com
4. Black soya snood, £140 by Faliero Sarti from www.liberty.co.uk

LOOK 2

1. Grey hooded cape, £775 by Eskander from www.liberty.co.uk
2. Gillespie woollen knit cap, £35 by French Connection, from www.frenchconnection.com
3. Georgina boots, £225 by Folk Shoes, from www.folkclothing.com
4. Tonal Stripe scarf, £105 by Missoni from www.liberty.co.uk

 

LOOK 3

1. All hours mid cape, £180 by French Connection from www.frenchconnection.com
2. Dark leather Trailmaster 55 boot, £392 by Belstaff from www.my-wardrobe.com.
3. Cloche felt hat, £40 by French Connection, from www.frenchconnection.com
4. Warwick Hobo handbag, £199 by Jaeger, www.jaeger.co.uk 

 

LOOK 4

1. Shearling-lined cotton parka, £755 by D&G from www.Net-a-Porter.com.
2. Pelt print scarf, £99 by Jaeger, www.jaeger.co.uk
3. Arielle leather satchel, £175 by Whistles from www.whistles.co.uk 
4. Academy leather buckle wedge boots, £75 by ASOS from www.asos.com

 

LOOK 5

1. Check coat, £735 by Vivienne Westwood Anglomania from www.liberty.co.uk
2. Felt Trilby, £59 by Brora from www.brora.co.uk 
3. Leather gloves with buckle details, £39.00 by Dents from www.dents.co.uk
4. Lila black and patent shoes, £225 by Folk Shoes from www.folkclothing.com

 

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