Trenches, teddies and overcoats: a fashion director's guide to the best coats to buy this season, including a £45 supermarket pick

Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn moreA coat, for me, is a luxury item. It immediately makes any outfit look finished. And I mean any. Even if I’m wearing black leggings with a pair of trainers for coffee in the park on a Saturday morning, throwing on my Jigsaw city coat instantly makes me feel polished and chic.I’ve worked in fashion for over a decade, styling everyone from A-listers to real women (with real bodies) for YOU Magazine shoots. My role as fashion director involves picking out pieces and building entire outfits I think our readers would love – and coordinating aspirational modelling shoots to show them off.So I know the power of the right purchase - and what it can do to someone’s confidence.Our weather in Britain means coats are a key focus for YOU readers every autumn. For this year’s shoot, I went to shop after shop and scoured online to make sure there is something for everyone at every price point.And I was so impressed by the offering I found. From this season’s key trend of faux fur to a forever grey coat from a supermarket retailer, the options were impressive, and all had a design-led edge that the high street has lacked for a while.In the shoot, pictured below, the coats are the hero item in every shot. I wanted to keep the styling minimal to accentuate the power of a great piece of outerwear.Each of these coats will be as fabulous in ten years’ time as they are now. And as someone who favours classic style, that’s hugely important to me.My most memorable coat-styling moment as a fashion director came early in my career at YOU Magazine when I was asked to style Jennifer Saunders. Coat, £429, karenmillen.com. Shoes, £195, aradia.co.ukI couldn’t believe it. I was raised by a woman who self-identifies as Eddie from Absolutely Fabulous, the character Saunders plays so brilliantly, so I was full of excitement and anxiety. Don’t meet your heroes, they say!But Saunders was wonderful, willing to experiment with clothes she wouldn’t normally wear. At the end of the shoot, she told me a Ganni coat, from Browns Fashion, had captured her heart so much that we rang the brand on set and she bought it there and then.That, in essence, is the beauty of the right coat - and exactly how you should feel when you commit to a big purchase. No item is worn more, making it the most hard-working piece in your wardrobe. And yet there are so many options and so many price points available. So how do you go about choosing one?It is always an investment, no matter your budget, so ask these three questions: Does it go with at least three outfits in your wardrobe? Will you still love it in five years’ time? Do you feel amazing in it instantly?You should be answering a wholehearted ‘YES!’ to all three. Put another way, a coat needs to elevate an outfit, keep you warm - and last for years.To do that, it needs to work with the clothing in your wardrobe and enhance your personal style.If you know the design, shape, or colour won’t be something you like past this season, then step away. If a coat doesn’t make you feel fabulous, then it isn’t for you.With that in mind, here are my picks of this year’s season. There’s something for everyone – enjoy!The bold colour coat As someone who generally favours a neutral palette, I am truly smitten with this red coat from Karen Millen. It is a blue-based shade of red that is so beautiful and timeless. The funnel neck, black button detail and belted waist allow this coat to be a statement whilst complementing every outfit for any occasion. The elegant coat This coat from high street hero Hobbs is one of the most beautiful and classic coats I have seen in such a long time. The shade of cream, in conjunction with the elegant coat, makes this a very beautiful item. This is the definition of buy now and wear forever. Coat, £429, hobbs.com. Top, £49, intimissimi.com. Gloves, £32, and tights, £9 for pack of three, next.co.uk. Boots, £95, topshop.comThe smart coat The Jigsaw city coat is my personal absolute favourite. It is so slick and truly makes any outfit look instantly polished and elegant. Its straight longline shape hangs beautifully, and as someone who is busty, I find it hugely flattering, as sometimes I can be at risk of looking frumpy in double-breasted or wrap-style coats. This navy pinstripe is so gorgeous, and I find navy softer on older skin. I love styling tonal looks, and double denim with a smart navy coat is the perfect high-low outfit that feels considered and stylish. Coat, £459, Jigsaw-online.com. Shirt, £79.95, seasaltcornwall.com. Necklace, £495, aya.co.ukThe updated teddy coat This was another piece that had me gobsmacked by the price. The curl and texture of the faux fur on this funnel neck bomber looks like a designer piece in person. The rich colour of the cream and the hook-and-eye fastenings scream high-end, and the elasticated cuffs make it not only warm but easy to style to sit at the exact right points for you. I wanted to lean into the versatility of this piece by showing it styled up with this divine panelled Albaray skirt and knee-high boots; however, it would look just as fabulous with a relaxed trouser and boots for a countryside walk. Coat, £68, next.co.uk. Skirt, £79, albaray.co.uk. Boots, £66, riverisland.comThe cropped faux fur coatThis high street faux fur honestly stands up in a crowd of far more expensive options. The crop is at the most flattering point of a woman’s body, which is so important as boxy textured jackets can so easily add bulk where you would rather it didn’t! The rich tone and beautiful collar make it such a beautiful evening wear coat for the colder season. I paired it with the beautiful lace look from my forever favourite Marks & Spencer that nods to Saint Laurent runway. Jacket, £69, and mules, £36, riverisland.com. Top, £75, and skirt, £90, Autograph at marksandspencer.comThe forever coatThe shape, material and cut of this coat paused me in my tracks as I was going through the rail, styling up this shoot. The lapels are the perfect width, where they add a look of luxury; the shade of grey is so perfect, not too pale or too dark. I was completely smitten but wary of wanting a mix of price points; I nervously checked the label. Less than £50 from Morrisons (in stores only), this coat is a true acorn of a find and one you should run to buy! Red is hugely flattering on grey, and a pop of it is the perfect way to update your look this Autumn Winter. Coat, £45, Nutmeg at Morrisons. Cardigan, £34.90, uniqlo.com. Skirt, £119, whistles.com. Earrings, £170, tillysveaas.co.uk. Tights, £9 for pack of three, next.co.uk. Shoes, £48, topshop.comThe trench coat Every season we see a new iteration of the classic trench coat, but this check-lined double-collar offering is the best I have seen in a while. ARRANGE by ASOS is a line to watch, an in-house label from the brand that emerged in early 2025 and it is truly a collection to watch. They rework very classic designs with just enough point of interest to ensure they are forever pieces, but with an edge that puts them way above their competitors, amazing for jackets and show-stopping occasion wear. I paired it with this amazing oversized split-collar knit that screams luxury, except again, it's from supermarket hero TU. Coat, £200, Arrange, asos.com. Jumper, £32, tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk. Trousers (just seen), £22.99, hm.comThe oversized faux fur coatFaux fur has come so far in the last few years, and this jacket is a truly beautiful piece that will last you forever. Pair it down with pale blue denim and trainers for an off-duty weekend look, or throw it over a little black dress this party season. The shade is so flattering and will complement all shades of skin tone and clothing, and the shape is elegant and dramatic all at once. Faux Fur Coat, £529, maje.com. Tights, £19.99, calzedonia.comHair: Federico Ghezzi using Bumble and Bumble.Make-up: Katie Downer using Tatcha. Model: Courtney F at Nevs