KEY POINTS:
If you are on the hunt for a casual wool coat or jacket, look out for checked or tartan fabrics. Not only have designers favoured them this season, they are showing again for next winter (at Comme des Garcons, D&G, Dries Van Noten and Valentino).
So if you are a serious fashion-follower, you will get mileage out of them. Zambesi's current collection includes a checked double-breasted coat (1) and a checked zip-front short jacket (5).
Auckland designer Des Rusk also opted for checks - from his double-breasted coat with rounded lapels to his short, biker-style wool jacket (3).
The other cover-up trend is a sophisticated version of the duffel coat. This will suit if you harbour a nostalgic streak. Satori has a herringbone wool version (4), while Kate Sylvester's is in a luxurious wool and cashmere mix.
It has the witty addition of a leather hand-shape on one of the toggle fastenings (2). This design detail stems from the theme of Sylvester's autumn/winter show, Art Groupie, which focused on surrealistic images (eyes, disjointed hands, bowler hats and lips).
This was her first collection featuring menswear and the drift was towards exclusive, smart casual garments with lots of knitwear, T-shirting and casual jackets. She has now opened a small menswear department, furnished with homely-looking retro furniture, on the first floor of her High Street store in Auckland.
If you are looking for a way to update an existing jacket, the new look is to wear a belt over the top of a jacket or coat. Zambesi belted a wool coat at its last fashion show, while Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Fendi and Martin Margiela all showed belted coats or jackets in their latest shows for their winter 08/09 collections.
So you can be up with the play without it costing a packet.
Stockists
COUNTRY ROAD (09) 529 1987
DES RUSK (09) 966 0440
KAREN WALKER (09) 522 4286
KATE SYLVESTER (09) 307 3282
SATORI (09) 358 4170
WORLD MAN (09) 377 8331
ZAMBESI (09) 303 1701 credits
