Eco-coature: The best sustainable winter coats
Coat season is upon us, and whilst, as a smart sustainable shopper, we’re sure you’ve got a perennial favourite or two in your closet, from time to time everyone needs a new coat. Or, nowadays, the uber-fashionable often make that a nearly-new coat. We asked our stylist, Rosanna, for her top picks of the best sustainable winter coats. Read on for her recommendations.
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If sartorial sustainability is your thing, then you’ve come to the right place. Rosanna is one of London’s leading stylists and has an eye for winkling out the most desirable sustainable pieces. We know how hard it can be to find time to do the leg work when it comes to coat shopping, so Rosanna has done it for you.
As winter coats are the ultimate long-term investment, it makes sense to find one that you’ll treasure for many years, so how do you find a style that suits you? Rosanna says “no one coat is going to do everything, so try using the what 3 words style trick. If you’d sum up your style in 3 words as elegant, bold and sculptural, you’re going to love a fitted coat. If it’s boho, playful and feminine, you’ll likely find a coloured coat suits your style.”
When coat shopping, start with the rather mundane practicalities of what you need it to do for you. To commute? You’ll need it to be waterproof but not too hot if you’re on crowded public transport. A day-to-night coat? Look for a smart, tailored coat that holds it own on an evening out.
It can be so tempting to fall in love with a coat there and then. Rosanna suggests taking some time out to make sure you’re not impulse buying a coat that looks very similar to one you already own. With so many rental companies out there, you can also rent before you buy. Thinking about faux fur but not sure whether it’s you? Try renting for a month to find out.
If you’re looking for a couture coat, then head for Vestiaire Collective ❀ where you can snap up designer pieces for less, like this never worn Valentino Garavani coat reduced from £918.85 to £427.80. Or if you like to mix it up a bit with your outerwear, why not take a look on Hurr Collective which have some gorgeous coats, parkas and puffers to rent?
If you’re looking for a newer investment piece, then take your pick from Rosanna’s selection of the more planet-friendly coats out there.
Tan & Camel Coats
1. Reformation | Downing Coat Camel | £368
A classic coat that will pair well with any outfit, featuring a detached belt and front pockets. We love the rounded collar and the soft wool lounge-look. Made from 70% MWool®, a Global Recycled Standard-certified fibre that produces 99% less CO2 than virgin wool, the Downing Coat features a carbon footprint that is roughly half that of a conventional coat.
2. Stella McCartney | Iconic Camel Coat | £1,150
A more structured coat, this time with notched lapel, button cuffs, and a single-breasted button fastening and made from RWS-certified wool. Its sharp-tailoring makes this a timeless piece. Stella McCartney are committed to reducing their environmental impact and promoting ethics in fashion, and designer and founder Stella McCartney has received a CBE from King Charles for her work in sustainability.
3. Bamford | Discovery Raincoat | £695 £486 ❀
An unlined, oversized raincoat ideal for protecting against less-than-ideal weather. Its loose fit makes it perfect for wearing over layers on those cold winter days. Made from 100% organic cotton and using a PFC-free water-repellent finish, the Discovery Raincoat is a great choice for those who’d like to minimise the impact of polluting chemicals.
Black & Navy Coats
1. Reformation | Veda Hal Fitted Leather Blazer | £478
If you’re looking for a fitted leather blazer, check out this one from Reformation, featuring front pockets and a button fastening. This coat uses leather from a Leather Working Group Gold certified tannery, demonstrating that the material has been sourced from suppliers with an ethical and environmental mindset, and is chromium-free, avoiding the hazardous waste produced through conventional tanning methods.
2. Baukjen | Inge Recycled Coat | £399 ❀
A beautifully cut coat made from a recycled wool blend, the Inge is a sophisticated style, with military-inspired epaulettes and naval-style buttons. The tailored fit is also super flattering. We love that Baukjen are dedicated to tracking the sustainability of their clothing, have a code of conduct in place for suppliers, and donate 10% of their profits to charities each year.
3. Reformation | Oscar Nipped Waist Coat | £398
One of Rosanna’s favourite coats for the season. Its fitted nipped-waist gives it an elegant outline, whilst the heavy weight fabric keeps out the cold. We love that this coat is 70% MWool, which gives it a lower-than-average carbon footprint. Reformation are carbon neutral and plan to be entirely circular by 2030 with only 0.5% of its stock not being sold or donated last year.
A Pop of Colour
1. Baukjen | Emanuela Recycled Coat | £299 £164 ❀
A cheerful coat in a relaxed fit perfect for brightening any outfit. Made from a recycled wool blend. Baukjen are a Zero Waste company and offer a take back scheme for old clothing, allowing them to be mechanically recycled into new fibres, so you don’t have to worry about this coat going to landfill at the end of its life.
2. Reformation | Veda Ashland Leather Trench | £798
This double breasted coat from Reformation features a button front and detachable belt. We love how there are numerous different ways you can wear it. Produced from lamb leather from a Leather Working Group Gold certified tannery, all of the leather that Reformation sources is a by-product of the meat industry. They also ensure that their suppliers have zero deforestation policies in place.
3. Stella McCartney | Long Double-Breasted Coat | £1,550
A cornflower blue coat by Stella McCartney made from RWS-certified wool. The 2x1 double-breasted fastening and vintage-inspired peaked lapel guarantee a classy look. Stella McCartney work hard to limit their impact through tracking and reducing their emissions, and have been a pioneer in sustainable fashion for the last few decades.
Parkas & Puffers
Unfortunately, recycled polyester isn’t as good for the environment as it might seem — once it’s been made into clothing, it can’t be easily recycled again. So your best sustainable bet is to rent or buy parkas and puffers secondhand - it’s also kinder to your wallet. But if you’re looking to buy new we highly recommend Finnisterre. They’ve partnered with recycling company Project Plan B to recycle old polyester fabric into plastic pellets that, unlike many recycled polyester clothes, can be used for new products.
1. Finisterre | Vellus Waterproof Parka - Black | £395 ❀
An insulated waterproof parka designed to protect against the harshest weather. Multiple pockets paired with an adjustable hood, waist cinch, and elasticated cuffs mean this parka is comfortable, practical, and customisable. Made from recycled polyester, organic cotton, and with a PFC-free waterproof finish, it comes in Finisterre’s water-soluble and ocean-safe packaging.
2. Hurr | Faux Fur by Shrimps | £
A fluffy faux-fur coat perfect for this time of year. Hurr is a fashion rental platform that helps to reduce your carbon footprint compared to buying something new whilst still allowing you to try out new trends. It also helps to give unwanted clothes a new lease of life, preventing them from making their way to landfill.
3. Hurr | Silver Ski Jacket Perfect Moment | £
Another offering from Hurr, this time in the form of a sleek silver number that will add flair to any outfit. Whatever you decide to rent from Hurr, you can rest assured that it will arrive in sustainable packaging — Hurr use RePack, who offer reusable packaging and a service to re-prepare it after it’s been used. No single-use items here.
And when you feel your coat has seen better days, or you’re looking for a style refresh, think about upcycling. It’s amazing what a change of buttons can do or a new colourful lining for extra panache. If the sleeves are worn out, you can find a tailor who can remove them and turn it into a gilet. Sojo offers tailoring, alteration and repairs, and a doorstep collection and delivery service.
And even if your coat may no longer do it for you, if it’s in good enough nick, then there are lots of online resale platforms, like Vestiaire Collective, ❀ where you can sell your coat, and earn some money for another one. How circular is that?
Do you feel in need of a style refresh? Or are you looking to jazz up your wardrobe? Rosanna’s skill lies in helping you to bring out your personal style whilst also enabling you to ensure your style choices tread lightly on the planet. You can find out more about her styling here.
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We analyse each brand for their commitment to sustainability but we are not a certification body, nor are we auditors, and we have taken the approach that we trust brands to tell the truth about their sustainability policies, practices and plans.
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