I've Tried On So Many High-Street Coats—These 3 Need to Be Seen

It feels as though as soon as September arrived, so too did autumn. After months of bare arms and light layers, we've been plunged into cooler temperatures almost overnight, and our wardrobes are calling out for us to shift our summer wares for autumn icons. In response, I immediately looked pulled out my coats and jackets that were last seen in late spring, and concluded I was ready for something new to accommodate the months of cold weather on the horizon. With longevity in mind, high quality a must and sleek style a prerequisite, I naturally turned to Whistles.

As I like to go the extra mile in supporting our readers through their shopping journeys, I hit the shops to check them out in person and bring you guidance on fit, size and texture. And let me tell you: Whistles' autumn collection is strong. There's a plethora of cosy knits, a concise edit of sleek tailoring and a footwear collection that rivals designer brands. But with coats at the top of my shopping list, I quickly honed in on three elevated styles that each offer a trending edge and timeless design in equal measure.

This trifecta of coats covers three iconic styles: the leather jacket, the trench coat and the wool coat. These styles return every year, ready to bring an elegant finish as the outermost layer of our autumn and winter ensembles. Seeing as it's already getting chilly, let's get straight into it. For reference, I'm 5'2" and usually wear a size 8/small.

Keep scrolling to shop my three standout Whistles coats.

SHOP MY 3 STANDOUT WHISTLES COATS:

1. THE RILEY TRENCH COAT

Style Notes: Whilst I could go on and on about the timelessness of a trench coat, or how versatile it is to pair with day looks as well as elevated evening ensembles, I have to talk about how good this coat feels. Made from a viscose and polyester mix, the fabric is incredibly soft to the touch, so the coat is also extremely comfortable, and it drapes beautifully. Here, I'm wearing a 6 (one down from my usual size) as the coat is oversized, but with a knit underneath my regular size would be perfect.

The beige shade is my favourite for its nod to the classics, but Whistles knows we all have different preferences, offering this trench in black and khaki too. Even though I'm 5'2", I love the length on me, but if you prefer a shorter style, both the beige and khaki colourways come in petite versions too.

Shop the Riley Trench Coat:

2. THE CLEAN BONDED LEATHER JACKET

Style Notes: The Whistles Clean Bonded Leather Jacket has become iconic within fashion circles. Taking on the leather jacket in a pared-back, minimalist way, it has a simplified shape and refined design that gives it an enduring elegance. The oversized silhouette further adds to its style credentials, ready and waiting to be layered up with chunky knitwear or simply worn with a T-shirt, as I have here.

Many of our editors own this jacket, and we unanimously agree that it's best to size down. Like the Riley Trench Coat, the Clean Bonded Leather Jacket comes in three shades—black, brown and khaki, and the black also comes in a petite option too. Here, I'm wearing the size small in petite.

3. THE JULIA WOOL DOUBLE FACED COAT

Style Notes: A wool coat is destined to be worn on repeat from autumn, through winter and into spring, if the British weather is anything to go by. Covering three of the four seasons, this is a smart piece to invest a little more in. It takes a special design to bring together ease and elegance in one combination, and the Julia coat does just that.

The relaxed shape is primed to layer over even the chunkiest knits, supporting easy day looks like mine and ready to step up to the challenge should you be heading to the office or an evening event. The silhouette is again oversized, and as it's already flying off the shelves, I was only able to get my hands on the size medium, but I've already checked online for my preferred size, small.

SHOP MORE AUTUMN HERO BUYS FROM WHISTLES: