Here we are: the rentrée has truly arrived. And while I can’t say I love this first week back (let’s be honest, it always carries a touch of stress), I do love the idea of it: that gentle moment when autumn begins to quietly settle in. The light shifts, the air cools, and with it come mid-season jackets, overcoats, blazers, those outer layers that instantly refine a silhouette. This week felt like the perfect time to look at the season’s most elegant coats and jackets, and, as always, to share with you a curated selection of the pieces I’d wear on repeat this autumn.
As I mentioned in a previous article, for nearly a year now I’ve been building my wardrobe around the 80/20 rule: 80% timeless basics, 20% statement pieces. For me, coats and jackets fall firmly into that latter category. By their cut, their style, their color or fabric, they should hold the power to transform an outfit the moment you slip them on. They are investments in the truest sense: enduring beyond a season, often beyond a year, and effortlessly pairing with what one already owns. That is why I never hesitate to spend a little more on them. And as a former data analyst, I know from experience that their cost per wear quickly proves minimal, their value more than justified.
So, what are this autumn’s key trends? Which jackets and coats truly deserve our attention this season?
The first, and perhaps my personal favorite (one I’m considering investing in myself), is the wool-blend overcoat or the blazer in light tones: think ivory, off-white, cream, even a soft vanilla. A beautiful coat in these shades instantly brightens a silhouette, works with everything you already own, and can even be layered over a blazer. Effortlessly chic.
If white feels a little too daring, turn instead to gentle shades of beige, mink brown, or tobacco, all of which are absolutely exquisite and refreshingly different from camel, a color we’ve perhaps seen too much of in recent years. For those who prefer more classic winter tones, a luminous grey or a timeless black coat is always a safe yet elegant choice.
This season, the only pattern I truly love is the brown check: timeless, chic, and enduring. For all my French style secrets on how to wear it, I’ve shared an exclusive piece in Les Édits Privés. Leopard print, on the other hand, still doesn’t convince me, and, though it’s only my humble opinion, I suspect it will soon feel dated. For those wishing to invest in something a touch more sophisticated this autumn, I recommend a camel suede blazer: refined, understated, and quietly distinctive.
In terms of cut, choose relaxed silhouettes: neither too fitted nor too oversized. Coats this season are meant for layering, with cape-inspired shapes and scarf coats particularly in view. And while long, sweeping overcoats have dominated recent years, shorter lengths are making their way back, often far more practical for everyday wear.
Finally, if you already own all the coats and jackets you need this autumn, the simplest (and perhaps most economical) way to refresh them is with a belt. A well-placed leather belt at the waist not only defines the figure but also gives new life to an old favorite.
And now, without further delay, here is my selection of the most beautiful jackets and coats of the season, and I promise, not a single trench coat in sight.
Independent and unsponsored, this article is written with curiosity and discernment. Some links are affiliate, which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase, always at no cost to you.
