Designer Coats for Women

Designer coats at a glance

• Edit: more than 2,000 women’s coats, with new arrivals every week.
• Deepest designers: Max Mara (nearly 300 coats), Yves Salomon, Mackage, Toteme and The Row.
• Styles: wool and cashmere, trench, puffer and down, shearling, faux fur, leather, mink, sable and vest coats.
• Colours: black and beige lead the edit, followed by grey, blue and brown.
• Sizes: UK 4 to 18, with fit notes on every product page.

Coats by style

• Wool and cashmere coats: the largest part of the edit, from long camel overcoats and wrap coats to double-breasted peacoats, with Max Mara, The Row, Toteme and Brunello Cucinelli at the top of the range. Read our guide to cashmere coats for women.
• Trench coats: belted classics in stone and beige, plus long leather trenches and shorter cuts for the seasons in between. See leather trench coats for women.
• Shearling coats: warm, soft and long lasting, from Yves Salomon and Nour Hammour. See our guide to shearling coats and jackets.
• Faux fur coats and teddy coats: the playful winter layer, in long and cropped lengths.
• Leather coats: long, clean-lined leather coats to wear over knitwear and tailoring.
• Fur coats: mink coats and sable coats for the coldest months. Read how much a mink coat costs.
• Vest coats: sleeveless long coats to layer over knits and shirts.
• Cape coats: wool, cashmere and teddy capes from Max Mara and Yves Salomon, to drape over tailoring.
• Puffer and down coats: long puffer coats and down parkas from Mackage, Yves Salomon, Moose Knuckles and Bogner, the warmest coats in the edit.

Read our edit of the warmest winter coats for women and shop women’s skiwear. For shorter outerwear, see women’s designer jackets.

How to choose a designer coat

Start with colour and length. Black and beige are the largest colours in the edit and work with everything, and a coat that finishes below the knee covers dresses as well as trousers. Then think about what you wear underneath: a winter coat needs room for a knit, while a trench can sit closer to the body. For a first investment coat, our Max Mara coats guide explains the house’s most famous shapes.

Sizing

Every coat is listed in UK sizes, 4 to 18. Oversized and relaxed cuts are noted on the product page, so check the fit note before you size up.

Frequently asked questions

Which designer coat should I buy first?

A long wool coat in camel is the most versatile first coat, with black a close second. It works over tailoring, dresses and denim, and lasts for many seasons. Shop wool and cashmere coats.

Which designer coat brands are worth the investment?

Max Mara, The Row, Toteme and Brunello Cucinelli are known for wool and cashmere coats that keep their shape for years, Yves Salomon for shearling and fur, and Mackage for warm down coats.

What is the difference between a wool and a cashmere coat?

Cashmere is softer, lighter and warmer for its weight than wool, but less hard wearing. A wool and cashmere blend gives you most of the softness with more durability, which is why many designer coats use it.

What is the difference between a trench coat and an overcoat?

A trench coat is made from a tightly woven, water-resistant cotton, with a belt and storm flaps, and is designed for rain. An overcoat is usually wool and cashmere, made for warmth in colder weather. Shop trench coats.

What is the warmest type of coat?

Shearling, fur and down are the warmest. A long shearling coat traps heat in the fleece, and a down coat is the lightest option for very cold weather. Read our guide to the warmest winter coats for women.

Is a shearling coat worth it?

Yes, if you live somewhere with real winters. Shearling is naturally warm, breathable and water resistant, and a well-made coat lasts for decades with care. Shop shearling coats.

What length of coat is most flattering?

A coat that finishes just below the knee suits most heights and covers dresses as well as trousers. Petite frames look best in a coat that ends at the knee, and tall frames carry a full-length coat well.

How should a coat fit?

The shoulder seam should sit at your shoulder, the sleeves should reach the wrist bone, and there should be room to wear a knit underneath without the front pulling.

How do I care for a wool coat?

Brush it after wearing, hang it on a wide wooden hanger, and let it air between wears. Have it professionally cleaned once a season, and store it in a breathable cover with cedar over the summer.