I really live for outerwear. I said to someone a few months ago, “I really just love a good coat or jacket,” like this was brand new information about me, and they responded with, “Well, obviously! Are you only just realising this?” And I literally only was just realising it!! I am so clueless about myself sometimes (aren’t we all a little though!?). How I was only just figuring this out when I literally shot 26 of my favourite outerwear pieces for this substack - beats me.
I think it also really hit me - after putting together a new-ish series on my instagram where I show my outfits at the train station, and most of the outfits feature a jacket of some sort - it is winter after all - but I love a jacket of some sort, all year round. They have the power to complete an outfit, but also somehow it completes me, something in my soul. I feel put together, polished, grounded.
I’m currently in the Algarve in Portugal, where, at 10am it’s already nearly 30 degrees. My commitment to outerwear is still staying strong on this summer trip. I packed two jackets from home and have already bought 4 so far - and it’s only been 2 weeks.
A great jacket/coat/outerwear adornment can elevate an outfit in such a dramatic way. A coat or jacket can be the outfit sometimes. It can help tie everything together. They can be subtle, wardrobe staples or have mega personality. They can be functional or conversation starters.
The activity of pulling all my jackets out and pairing them with my favourite denim jeans, white t-shirt and classic Chanel slingbacks - really proved to me just how powerful outerwear can be. It made my rethink about how I get dressed every day - or I should say, struggle to get dressed everyday. Often, it can be such a task working out an outfit but throwing on every single jacket + coat in my wardrobe for this substack with a simple outfit underneath worked every time. My motto moving forward will be, when in doubt, just throw on a jacket!
So, here are 26 of my favourite jacket/coat finds from my wardrobe. And below that, an edit of outerwear options that can be shopped right now.
PRELOVED/VINTAGE
The majority of my jacket + coat finds are secondhand. I love an oversized fit and anytime I’m in any kind of preloved shop, I head to the men’s section to see what jackets they have on offer. I have a few incredible oversized, beautifully made blazers (see one below) pulled directly from various Vinnies across Sydney that I get questions about all the time. They look excellent, the quality is 10/10 and they cost me no less than $30 or so.
I found this lovely cream and navy striped vintage Valentino jacket at a local antique + vintage store I love, Potts Point Galleries. It has big, juicy shoulder pads which creates a really nice silhouette.
THE REST (bought new)
COAT/JACKET EDIT
Here is the full edit - there’s over a 100 options of varying prices - and below are some highlights with links!
As I mentioned above, I’m currently in Europe on holidays. I flew to Copenhagen a few weeks ago for Fashion Week (I’ve posted a bunch of what I got up to on Instagram here.) so I’m pulling together my recommendations for a Copenhagen guide (so many amazing vintage, food, accom, shopping, activities to share etc) - hope to have that out in the next week or so!
More Smooth Brain Thoughts soon,
Ali xx
From one jacket lover to another, this is one of my favourite ever posts on Substack and I am immediately going to reread it so I can properly admire what you’ve shared from your collection.
Especially love the vintage floral mesh (if you ever decide to sell, please can I be first in line) and the zebra DVN that you picked up in Japan recently. Amazing!! No notes!
Such bangers