How the cocktail coat could be your Christmas party saviour this season

Emma McCarthy28 November 2017

The arrival of party season can often come as something of a shock to Londoners - a breed of woman more accustomed to hibernating in her local pub, swaddled in the warmth of her faithful navy jumper, than she is donning more sequins than the cast of Strictly for a night on the tiles.

It’s times like these when the cocktail coat comes into its own.

A comfort blanket, disguised as a means to ensure you make one hell of a stylish entrance, well- chosen outerwear is your saving grace.

Not least because it ensures that no element of your outfit looks like an afterthought, but also because it will save you the shivers while waiting for the number 12 bus home.

Women's winter coats - in pictures

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1. The really wild one

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If your December involves party-hopping between at least three soirées per night, having the right coat is as crucial to your evening plans as a good service on all TfL lines.

So if you buy only one style this winter, make it leopard print. As endorsed by Alexa Chung, along with the rest of the capital’s heavily papped social circuit, a faux fur LPC is the perfect companion to any outfit. H&M currently has an excellent version and at just £79.99 you’ll still have change left over for an Uber and a portion of chips on your way home.

2. The silky number

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Veteran social butterfly Kate Moss may have gifted us with countless party dressing inspo over the years, from the Nineties chainmail mini-dresses to those lean, mean tuxedos, but Moss circa 2017 is a lesson in dressed-up dressed-down courtesy of the silk coat.

Paired with box-fresh trainers, blanket scarf and a Saint Laurent bag too small to accommodate anything more than an Amex card, this is a must-try for those looking to skip the cloakroom queue at their next do.

3. The classic choice

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For a coat that’s for life, not just for Christmas, you can’t go wrong with camel. Like a little black dress or free champagne, it’s a guaranteed party hit and, given its timeless appeal, one worth investing in.

Max Mara’s Icon coats are the best money can buy, or try M&S if your budget won’t stretch beyond the high street. As showcased beautifully by Kate Bosworth, a well-chosen camel coat is not only the perfect partner to lipstick red but also the ideal option for a spot of shoulder robing.

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