You Can Have Too Many Black Coats—30 Vibrant Options That Are the Solution
No one will debate that a black coat is essential. It's a major building block of a well-thought-out wardrobe and is undeniably timeless, and almost any editor worth their weight in Manolo Blahniks will advise owning at least two. But there definitely is a limit. Just like how the same desk salad becomes lackluster after a few months, wearing a black coat 24/7 also loses its flair. That's where a more vibrant alternative comes in.
High-impact color has made its rounds as a major trend over the past few seasons, and it isn't letting up within the coat arena either. From players like Loewe and Valentino, all the way to The Row (a brand that famously touts neutral tones), bright statement outerwear has emerged as one of the foremost winter trends of the moment. But even after the fanfare dies down, a strong coat in a pretty color hardly ever goes out of style. There's really no con to experimenting with a fun winter coat, even if you're fervently pro-neutral. In case you were wondering where to start, any of the fashion person–approved toppers below won't let you down. Keep scrolling to see and shop them all.
When I first saw this jacket, my immediate reaction was "wow." It's just that good, and unsurprisingly, it's almost sold out.
Plush faux fur adds a layer of luxury. Overall, this coat looks so expensive.
For that hyper-structured look, this Zara coat offers the polished traits of something designer.
Repopularized by Saks Potts, Penny Lane coats certainly fall into the splurge category, but here's a very affordable and cute alternative.
For an even more impactful outfit, buy the matching pants.
This shade of pink feels especially timely given Barbiecore's hold over everyone right now, but even later, it'll be a beautiful topper.
It will take some saving, but this coat looks to be triple the price.
Shopbop is offering an extra 25% off for a limited time. That's all I needed to hear.
Victoria Beckham scored big with this coat, but let's also take a moment to gawk over this styling.
I bought this coat as a present for myself and haven't regretted it at all.
For those still reluctant to drop their black coat, this pistachio green is very approachable.
Next up: The 10 Most Important Pieces to Buy in 2023, According to Net-a-Porter
Indya Brown is a fashion editor, stylist, and writer living in Los Angeles. After graduating in 2016, she joined The Cut as a fashion assistant, eventually working her way up to fashion editor. While New York has been her home for over 10 years, she moved to Los Angeles in the midst of the pandemic in 2020 for a new chapter where she started working at Who What Wear, focusing on emerging designers, rising trends on and off the internet, interior design, and BIPOC creatives and brands. Aside from her work at Who What Wear, Brown is also a freelance stylist and writer, working on national print and video commercial campaigns for Sephora, The Independent, and Cadillac. Her bylines also include Harper's Bazaar, Vox, and The New York Times.
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