Item of the week: the leather coat

What it is:

The trench coat is a popular staple coat silhouette that has transcended
seasons and time periods to still be relevant in the modern day. However,
it has seen an update for the coming autumn/winter 2023 season in the form
of a material adaptation – particularly with the use of leather or leather
alternatives. Many a designer took on the coat shape for their runway
collections, experimenting with the material to create unique forms and
abstract silhouettes. The style has also previously proved a hit in popular
culture, where it has appeared in numerous films making it a notable item
throughout many generations.

Why you’ll want it:

While the trench coat remains a popular wardrobe addition within each
season, the leather iteration of the style is arguably a more daring take
on the look, and therefore would attract those that are willing to step out
of their comfort zones. However, while many indeed take on a trendy,
fashion-forward appearance, the increasing popularity of such a garment has
seen it also adapted for the ‘safer’ consumer, allowing for it to appeal to
a wider audience and become an item that can be worn daily. Additionally,
recent advancements have also accelerated the accessibility of leather
alternatives, meaning that there are a wider range of animal-friendly
options readily available for the market.

Where we’ve seen it:

The long-line leather coat was seen almost everywhere this season, making
it one of the most popular outerwear styles on the AW23 runways. Many came
in the form of a topcoat, as seen at Palm Angels, Givenchy and Christian
Dior, each showing loose-fit silhouettes with boxy shoulders. Another
favoured style was that of the trench coat, which the likes of Ferragamo,
Hermès and Ann Demeulemeester played with. Other designers used the leather
coat to play with texture and function, with brands like Lanvin, Prada and
Victoria Beckham incorporating snake print into their styles, while others
like Alexander McQueen and Junya Watanabe implemented oversized pockets and
zip detailings.

How to style it:

A leather coat is a statement piece in itself, often tying a look together
and bringing it to life. The style can also be adapted depending on the
wearer, with the more audacious silhouettes giving the possibility of
offering up an equally daring outfit underneath. This could include a
floaty maxi dress layered with a contrasting sweater vest or wide-legged
print jeans with a mismatched shirt. The piece can also work for daily
wear, easily paired with simple jeans or loose-fit trousers and a t-shirt
while still dressing up the look to elevate a casual wardrobe.

The leather coat is a pop culture icon in the fashion world, appearing
throughout decades of film making it a popular addition to a wardrobe.
Recent advancements have allowed it to become accessible in animal-friendly
alternatives and also take on new forms to attract a wider buyer group.