January is a season-less month in the fashion world. If you think about it, you, the consumer, are only going to a store in the first month of the year if: 1. You are sale hunting or 2. You have a return. Before you get too wishful for spring’s arrival (Groundhog’s Day, where you at?) dive into the coat department for deeply discounted finds. But how will you know what style of coat will be cool in 2021? 2020 has just started! That’s where I come in.
I made a list of the top selling coat styles currently and then used basic fashion knowledge and trend projection to determine what to pick-up now and what you should pass on. Some of the coats in the pass section are worth holding out until 2021 to snag while, some are past their peak. Looking for men’s jackets? Click here.
Pick
You Can Call Me Ma’am: A sophisticated coat is a mark of a worldly woman. Everyone should have one nice polyester knee or ankle length coat in their bag of tricks. An actual nicely made coat will cost you so this is the time to look. There aren’t too many rules here.
Most women’s coats have a stand up collar that can also lie flat; a blank canvas to style. I am naturally drawn to interesting buttons and patch pockets or a deep slash pocket that can store my gloves, chapstick, and cough drops.
Colored Leather: Red leather, yellow feather will be a mantra you should learn how to say within the next year. A colored leather jacket (not the classic black or brown) may be a challenge to find now, but next year... well, look out! White, powder blue, and light “Pink Ladies” pink are excellent colors for in between cold and warm times, and may be in retailers already!
Cabernet leather jackets are similar to your biker black but more rustic and honestly, a tad more daring. Burberry has a deep purple version with scale-like texture (Can you imagine touching that? Swoon.) that is currently under 2,000 euros (about 2,200 US dollars.) And if you’re like Meghan Markle, Blake Lively, and moi and like to go all in, cherry pie red is your best head-turning leather look. Michael Jackson’s Thriller is still a style icon 38 years later.
The Cardigan Coat: Yes, you read that subheading right. If you wanna be a boss b, or you know, just look the part for now, a cardigan coat is what you need! A cardigan coat is ideal for weather upwards of about 40 degrees because it does not have the best closure. Generally a cardigan coat or a cardigan blazer (the more light-weight semi professional version) stays open or has one to two buttons around the midline.
Cardigan coats will be everywhere in 2021 because they are a fun new shape that provides the #1 fawned over quality: comfort. The eyelash fabric is like a wearable blanket. “Can I take your coat ma’am? No thanks, I’m going to leave it on.” You could be in this conversation.
The Janis Joplin: So this is kind of a catch-all category because there isn’t much Janis Joplin wouldn’t wear. First up, shearling and corduroy infused together to make one chic bomber. Pick up that bomber! I like the fabric combo because it is both chic and cozy. Next year’s evolution into more wild 70s Joplin territory, merges the cord shearling and the heavy embellished Chanel-style blazer that’s been everywhere this year. A suede, fur-lined, just below the waist length jacket with luxuriously swirled embroidery is the perfect vintage 70s find. This isn’t out to mass markets yet, but if you do see it thrifting, I’m telling you: snatch. it . up.
Pass
Super-Duper Furry Furballs: I get housecoat vibes. As in what your great grandmother wore ‘cause she had to stay at home all day ‘cause society didn’t let her get a job or look hot when her husband wasn’t around. Somehow these hooded Furby skins, widely known as sherpas, were very popular at college day drinks from 2016-2019. (Not that I would know, mom.) Three years is enough and these robe-like rags are very costly and lack shape. Pass.
Neon Puffers: When you buy a puffer coat you think do it all and comfort. A puffer jacket is rarely not in but, a neon water-wicking shell is a different story. Colors evolve faster than prints, so it can be harder to tell what the top shades will be four seasons from now in such a basic silhouette. So, if you have a winter coat in a very of-the-moment hue, wear it as much as you can before April and then retire it to ski lodges only. I got a black puffer coat this year that is about knee length and it may not present a lot of pizzazz like other styles in this article, but it is timeless (and might be on sale at this point!)
Cheetahlicious Shells: When a trend explodes as much as animal print did this year, I hate to tell you this but, its days are numbered. Cheetah print, specifically, has been woven into all 2019 products from the usual players: sweaters, boots, tanks, to the unusual: rugs, dog bowls, notepads. Even Jersey girls might be over it soon. If you still want that lioness look, go with an emerging animal print. Tiger and giraffe prints will be huge in the next few years. More on giraffe printed pieces here.
Basic Denim Jackets: Denim jackets aren’t going anywhere, of course not. But the two pocket, button front, collared one you wore in 2001 and again in 2017 is peacing out. Denim proves it doesn’t have to be casual by taking on any silhouette, from Sgt.-Pepper-style Mandarin collars with toggle closures, to acid washed parkas made for listening to Wham! (Sidebar: Walkman’s and late 80s/early 90s headphones? I see those coming back as a nostalgia piece too.) 2021 will show us denim truly is the do it all fabrication. Try a fresh take and hold off on buying until next fall.
In the past few years, little attention was paid towards coats. Sure you might have a trendy leather or denim bar jacket worn so your actual coat wouldn’t get tampered with, but the term “statement coat” is relatively new! Calling something a statement coat nods to the notion of a coat taking on fit, fabric, feel, and embellishment similar to that of a sweater or blouse.
2021 will be a very big year, consisting of cute coats! Start shopping now! I'll be checking back in next winter on which of these early predictions held true throughout the 2021-2022 season.
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