When it comes to dressing this time of year, there’s arguably no piece that’s more important than the winter coat. The final sartorial layer to your outfit, it’s also the one that requires the most consideration. Gone are the days where we would throw on any coat on our way out the door; the street style set and designers of the moment have proved that the coat has become the centrepiece of our outfits rather than an afterthought.
Not every coat has to be a statement, but it does serve you for it to be a versatile piece, especially if you employ the shrewd styling trick of building your outfit around one item. Thankfully, there’s more outerwear options available than ever before, from trend-forward patterns to classic styles imagined with a fresh twist.
Below, we’ve rounded up 10 of the coat trends to know for 2026, so you can invest wisely in a piece that will see you through the coming year and beyond.
Pony up
Tactile textures flooded the runways, from fringing to frond-like fur, but pony and calf hair have emerged as this season’s most coveted finish, from top-handle bags to sleek structured coats. It’s luxe sheen imbues any outfit with an understated elan, pairing beautifully with buttery leather accessories.
Nour Hammour paneled calf hair coat
Cos pony hair-effect coat
By Malene Birger Rafaia shearling calf coat
Marni embroidered calf hair wool coat
Check please
Heritage checks were given a modern update in the autumn/winter 2025 collections, and the pattern’s momentum looks to continue into the new year and early spring. At Missoni, Acne, Fendi and of course, Burberry, checks were reworked across coats and tailored outwear with a sophisticated yet feminine sensibility.
Marant Etoile Limiza checked wool coat
Rohé Prince of Wales wool coat
Mango wool-blend check coat
Chloé double-breasted belted coat
Toast Frankie raglan coat
Puff(er) piece
We can’t wax lyrical enough about puffer jackets come winter. Practical and casually cool, the puffer has been rebranded thanks to its embrace by the fashion set, holding steady as an outerwear favourite with a wealth of styling options.
Prada padded puffer jacket
Moncler Quierzy padded houndstooth velvet jacket
Max Mara cashmere down jacket
Miu Miu leather-collar puffer jacket
Polo Ralph Lauren quilted corduroy puffer jacket
Walk on the wild side
Animal prints have continued to permeate high fashion with an unprecedented demand; from classic leopard print to its more recent successor, zebra, we’re now going to see even wilder iterations of fauna into the new year: think bambi, tiger print and ostrich.
& Other Stories faux fur leopard coat
Kitri Lara zebra-print coat
Moschino Jeans tiger stripe long jacket
Valentino Garavani bow-embellished leopard-print coat
Demure tailoring
Our penchant for smart coats come winter is nothing new, but this season has doubled down on form and structure, proffering nipped-in waists, clean-cut capes and precise proportions as an antidote to oversized, enveloping silhouettes.
Chloé herringbone peplum-waist coat
Proenza Schouler White Label Brisa jacket
Eaves x Coco Yaron Manteco wool coat
Carolina Herrera double-breasted cape
Faux fur
Soft shearling and faux fur coats make for a classic investment piece that you’ll return to year after year. As well as being excellent for insulation, they stand apart as an eye-catching piece that instantly adds an elevated polish to any outfit, from daytime T-shirt and jeans to evening slip dresses and heels.
LouLou de Saison three-quarter-sleeve faux-fur coat
M&S Autograph faux fur detachable scarf jacket
Tove Roisin shearling coat
Twinset belted faux-fur coat
Now 30% Off
Reiss Atelier faux fur coat
New-gen neutrals
While it’s true that the beige trench coat remains a perpetual pillar of timeless style, this season has volunteered a new class of neutral tones to consider: stone grey, mocha brown, dusted black and blanched ivory are making a strong case for replacing the old-school hue, while retaining the signature codes of the style.
The Row Pluma trench coat
The Frankie Shop Mavis oversized trench
Calvin Klein Marisol trench coat
Toteme garderob belted trench coat
St Agni double-breasted trench coat
Fanciful florals
According to the spring/summer shows, floral romanticism is the order of the day for 2026. From vintage-style brocade at Dries Van Noten to ornate embellishments on housecoats at Erdem, retro iterations of the pattern offer a reprieve from quiet luxury minimalism.
Stine Goya Wessi coat
Now 50% Off
Toteme collarless floral coat
Shushu Tong floral-print woven trench coat
Erdem – Double-breasted Floral-print Satin Coat – Burgundy
Richard Quinn floral-print quilted jacket
Chocolate leather
Chocolate brown has dethroned black as the go-to hue for leather this season, offering a softer, more elegant option. Whether you prefer more modern, glossy finishes or buttery, boho-inspired suedes, this earthy tone will be a failsafe option come autumn, winter and spring.
Khaite Shelman leather bomber jacket
Rotate double-breasted suede coat
Me + Em leather patch pocket jacket
Acne Studios leather coat
Staud Josette suede jacket
Funnel-neck coats
Is there anything as instantly chic as a popped collar? As Victoria Beckham and the Olsen twins have oft demonstrated, funnel-neck coats deliver an air of utilitarian style with a modern, feminine approach.
Whistles Morgan funnel-neck coat
JW Anderson double-breasted brushed wool coat
Aeron Alistair belted funnel-neck coat
Victoria Beckham leather trench
Now 40% Off