Words By April Hollamby
When cold weather looms, there’s only one piece that truly matters when facing the elements: the ‘big’ coat. Whether you’re searching for a piste-ready puffer to hit the slopes this ski season, a modern trench coat to complete your party outfit or a cozy shearling jacket for frosty woodland walks, nowhere has a better choice than FARFETCH.
‘The fall/winter 2022 runways were filled with overcoats in exaggerated silhouettes, especially Prada,’ says FARFETCH’s senior menswear editor, Luke Raymond. ‘We also saw bomber jackets in oversized proportions continue to trend, alongside streetwear-infused varsity styles, and retro suede and shearling jackets.’ Discover our guide to the best winter coats below, plus key design details, styling tips, and need-to-know size and fit advice.
The modern overcoat
Defined by a sleek, tailored silhouette, clean lines and wool construction, the overcoat has earned its staple status for versatility and timeless appeal, making it an elegant option for every day or as the finishing touch to an evening look. But that’s not to say it’s the ‘safe’ option — we’re seeing an influx of refreshed designs with offbeat trims enter onto the season’s runways. ‘For a statement overcoat, Prada has you covered. Exaggerated shoulders with a fitted waist has been a key silhouette for the brand this season,’ says Raymond. ‘This particular style, with tactile shearling panels in black or blue, was worn by Jeff Goldblum to close the fall/winter 2022 show, in which Prada reimagines the concept of formalwear with sci-fi inspirations.’ Other brands to look to for statement overcoats include Casablanca, Rick Owens, AMI Paris and Vetements.
Sizing: overcoats generally fit true to size. We recommend you get your regular size, but they can also be worn slightly oversized to allow for layering underneath.
Care: overcoats made from 100% wool should be dry cleaned.
The retro flight jacket
Vintage styling and tactile textures were ubiquitous throughout the fall/winter 2022 collections. The flight jacket is a perfect investment piece that’s specially crafted to insulate, and last for seasons and years to come. It’s a design that will only evolve in character with more wear. ‘With so much texture and structure to the jacket, you’ll want to keep styling simple — dark-wash, loose-fit denim jeans and classic boots, for example,’ says Raymond. Look to Prada, Saint Laurent, APC and Jil Sander for paneled shearling or bouclé wool designs. For something a little different, opt for Kenzo’s hooded designs, or Loewe and Y/Project’s deconstructed variations of the silhouette.
Sizing: this APC piece fits true to size. We recommend you get your regular size. The AMI Paris style is unisex: men should take their normal size; women should take one size down than their usual size.
Care: dry-clean only by a leather specialist — do not wash, use bleach, tumble dry or iron.
The standout bomber
The ultimate throw-over-anything piece with military-come-streetwear origins, the bomber jacket continues to be a key piece for fall/winter 2022. ‘We saw high-impact styles from Raf Simons, Rick Owens and Y/Project this season, and this reversible green and orange Gucci bomber is a real two-in-one statement, perfect for refreshing your look between day and night,’ notes Raymond. It’s the ideal transeasonal piece, crafted as a windbreaker to keep the cold out and padded with insulation, yet collarless, cropped in length and easily unzipped on warmer days. For a modern take on the classic A1 bomber, look to Balmain, Sacai, Rick Owens and Dolce & Gabbana for graphic prints, interesting colorways and reworked designs.
Sizing: this jacket fits true to size. We recommend you get your regular size.
Care: this jacket is crafted from silk and should be dry cleaned.
The elevated trench
Forget what you know about trench coats. This season, we saw new iterations with exaggerated shoulders and leather compositions from Dolce & Gabbana and Prada, alongside leopard-print pieces by Dior, Jil Sander and AMI Paris. The once conformist design has been revived and can be a more elevated option for winter: ‘For a classic trench, Burberry is of course a go-to, but, if you’re looking for something new, opt for reworked silhouettes and standout patterns by Prada and Alexander Mcqueen,’ says Raymond. ‘For something more dramatic, this Saint Laurent belted trench is crafted in a surprising glossy vinyl fabrication.’ Diesel also released a denim trench coat while Amiri’s offering comes in faux fur.
Sizing: trench coats generally fit true to size. We recommend you get your regular size for both Saint Laurent and Alexander McQueen styles.
Care: dry-clean only — do not wash, use bleach, tumble dry or iron.
The technical puffer
The failsafe puffer comes in many shapes and forms, combining comfort with technical innovation. This season, you can’t go wrong with a Moncler piece, says Raymond: ‘Opt for the Maya jacket, which has been revisited in new colorways for the brand's 70th anniversary. This down-filled jacket will keep you much warmer than synthetic alternatives, plus it’s crafted with a resin-coated, two-layer, stretch nylon lacquer finish for ultimate luxury.’ This style is also water-repellent and equipped with everything necessary for mountain sports: a waterproof zip closure, internal ski pass pocket and jersey wrist gaiters, guaranteeing fit and protection from the elements. Other notable technical puffers can be seen by The North Face, Moose Knuckles and Canada Goose, while more fashion-forward styles come from Gucci, Dsquared2, Philipp Plein and more.
Sizing: generally puffer jackets fit true to size or slightly oversized. We recommend you get your regular size in both Moncler and Dsquared2.
Care: both the Moncler and Dsquared2 styles can be machine washed on a low heat setting.