Anna Harvey on the jackets which will keep you warm before you resort to a coat
Is the wrap - that transitional piece that’s something more than a cardigan but not as heavy as a coat - dead? From a fashion point of view, I mean. Do you know, I don’t care if it is. That is one of the wonderful things about being an ‘experienced’ fashion groupie; you stop feeling you have to slavishly follow trends. What else fills that gap between cardigan and coat in this changeable season? The wrap is the answer and so I unashamedly herald its continuity in my autumn wardrobe.
There are of course alternatives such as a knitted jacket, smart cardigan, a lightweight coat (try Winser London who have what they describe as a ‘coatigan’), the poncho, cape and the gilet, the quilted Indian jacket (have a look at the V&A museum shop) and of course, if desperate and en route to the North, a good-looking rug or throw from Johnston’s of Elgin or Brora! Many a time en route to a fishing holiday in Scotland I’ve realised I haven’t packed anything warm enough to cope with the sharp drop in temperature and stopped at the House of Bruar and spent money on such things.
Green wool coat, ￡229, Winser London; Ikat jacket, ￡185, Toa.st ?
The advantage of a wrap is that it can be picked up at the last moment and thrown over whatever you are wearing, be it a skimpy late-summer dress where your tan is still shown to advantage, or around an informal outfit. It is the perfect last-minute addition when a coat is too heavy and a structured jacket too formal. For well-priced cashmere wraps, visit French Velvet and The Travel Wrap Company.
Printed gilet, ￡39.90, Uniqlo; Double-faced jacket, ￡775, Milk Cashmere
Alternatively, a favourite mid-season fabric of mine is double-face (a double woven wool which need not be lined and can be colour-reversible). The seams are turned in on themselves and it is light as a feather and falls and moves beautifully. Milk Cashmere and Windsmoor are both worth a visit to find something you’ll love, and The White Company has a classic short coat in beige double-face. There’s also a really pretty double-face navy wrap coat in Gillian Anderson’s new range for Winser London. It is a very easy and flattering swing shape with an optional tie belt. I like it a lot.
Good luck in your search for the perfect answer to falling temperatures, whatever it may be. For me, it’s a wrap.