There are more people in black overcoats and puffers in London right now than Russian oligarchs. And that’s saying something. On my way to a meeting the other day it was almost a relief to see a Deliveroo rider flash past in an orange jacket. I’ve reached the point when I want to cast off the remnants of lockdown chic, to look more polished and be a little bit more adventurous. The image I’m going for is “business creative”. While loud colours and prints are not really my thing, the outer layer of clothing is often the only part of an outfit on view, particularly now spending time outdoors has become part of daily life. And when the rest of an ensemble is pared down and plain, I’m happy in a colourful coat. Business on the inside, creative on the outside…
Looking for style inspiration beyond public transport, I started watching the Netflix series Inventing Anna, created by Shonda Rhimes. The story of the fake heiress, Anna “Delvey” Sorokin (played by Julia Garner) who tricked New York society, scamming money for her eponymous art foundation, fancy hotel rooms, luxury holidays and more. But the infamous con artist is just dressed in head-to-toe designer labels, and we all know the adage about money (even if it is someone else’s) and style. My highlight of the first three episodes came when Nora Radford (played by Kate Burton), the fictional, wealthy Manhattanite who takes Delvey in, attends an art-gallery fundraiser wearing a glorious silk, gold and black, tiger-striped Carolina Herrera coat. The fake heiress may be creative around business, but it’s Radford who steals the scene.
For the pattern averse, the key to going bold and not feeling like an impostor is to choose a garment in the colours you enjoy wearing. Navy blue and forest green are two of my favourites and they make up about 50 per cent of this snazzy Boden coat. So far, so safe. Everyone loves a splash of vibrant coral, and I’ve recently discovered an unexpected fondness for rose pink, which amounts to approximately 40 per cent of the abstract print. As for the rest, I can live with 10 per cent of uncertainty (the yellow splodges) and remain within my comfort zone. “If you buy within your palette, your coat will go with all the other items in your wardrobe,” advises Manina Weldon, one of the founders of Red Leopard colour and style consultancy. “The coat is the one item that people should experiment with, rather than wearing boring old neutrals – and choosing your best colours will make you look as healthy, glowing and vibrant as possible.”
And it is about dressing to feel your best. Choosing the shapes, styles and colours that work for you, then pressing the refresh button from time to time to shake things up. This flamboyant coat of many colours is a relaxed, single-breasted cut, in a below-the-knee length; it’s a style I would ordinarily wear and hence I feel comfortable and positive. One of my wardrobe essentials amped up in an eye-catching print.
So, park the black coat, brighten up your outerwear – or, alternatively, go snazzy on the shoes and accessories. There are many ways to look business-like and creative
Three tips for wearing pattern
Go for a careful colour combination
Pick a colour from the coat pattern (one of the less obvious elements always works well) and match it with the stripe in a roll-neck or jumper. Stripes go with everything – and mismatched patterns can look extremely chic
Consider the scale
“Wearing pattern is fun, but make sure that the scale and shape of your pattern is in harmony with your body shape and proportions,” says Manina Weldon
Keep the silhouette simple
Dial down the chintz and avoid anything that is too fussy when choosing a bold printed item. Opt for a sleek and simple silhouette and let the statement pattern do the talking instead
