From ‘Wag’ to ‘fancy farmer?’, what your jacket says about your personality
FROM the ‘Manager’ to the ‘Peter Pan’, jackets are no longer just about keeping you warm – they also reveal a lot about your personality.
Now that the country is getting colder again, we are reaching for our winter coats. But what does your jacket style say about you?
Here, fashion editor Clemmie Fieldsend gives her verdict on the current coat trends, while psychologist Emma Kenny reveals the true meaning behind your choice of winter warmers.
DRYER
The comfort seeker
THE infamous towel-lined bathrobe has migrated from chic Hampstead and is now seen on hipsters across the country.
Whether you wear it on a winter walk or while shopping in Waitrose, the Dryrobe – originally designed for open water swimmers and costing a whopping £160 – has become a uniform for trendsetters who have never set foot in cold water.
EMMA SAYS: ‘You may not have dived into an icy lake, but your Dryrobe suggests you desperately want the world to think you could.
READ MORE ABOUT WINTER MODE
“Your coat is less about utility and more about turning the dog walk into a wearable duvet experience.
Deep down you are a comfort seeker, always looking for warmth – both literally and figuratively.
“You appreciate the practical and want people to think you’re outdoors, even if your idea of ’wild’ is flat white in the park cafe.”
OVERSIZED
The wannabe wag
WITH a loose, slightly soaked coat with 80s style shoulder pads and large lapels with modern trainers and oversized sunglasses, dress for the job you want – and that has to be a WAG.
These wearers of oversized coats are likely hanging out on the corners of posh, gated communities taking photos, all for the ‘gram.
EMMA SAYS: ‘Your oversized coat shows that you are all about aesthetics.
“You’re effortlessly cool, or at least that’s what you want everyone to think.
“While your dust-drowning look may confuse the less stylish, you know it’s all part of the brand.
But underneath the layers you are someone who desires admiration.
“You are a trendsetter who is always on the cutting edge and you really don’t care what the haters say or think.”
BRIGHT
The nice mom
It’s NOT easy to find brightly colored winter warmers in the sea of gray and black on the high street at the moment.
But those who do are prepared to make a strong statement.
EMMA SAYS: “Your coat is vibrant and pristine, just like you. You are someone who can juggle a million things at once and still look perfect.
“You know how to make an impression, whether you’re going to school or out for mimosas with the girls.
“Stylish and unflappable, you are proof that mothers can have it all and look fantastic at the same time.”
Faux fur
The glamor girl
COZY, elegant and opulent: a faux fur coat exudes confidence and luxury.
It’s often made even sexier with barely-there brown or black tights and a dress – and you wear your jacket over your shoulder for the ultimate seductive look.
This week alone, Google searches for “brown fur coat” have increased by 378 percent. It’s a big hit this season and the ultimate glamor statement.
EMMA SAYS: ‘Your faux fur coat screams unashamed drama.
You’re someone who loves to attract attention and make an impression – whether you’re walking into a cocktail bar or picking up the kids from school.
“Underneath the diva exterior, you are fiercely loyal and protective of the people you love.
But you are brave, ambitious and not afraid to own the room. Life is a stage and you are definitely the star of the show!”
THE DUFFEL
The Peter Pan
IF you’re not a child or Paddington Bear, the duffle coat means you don’t feel like growing up.
These jackets were everywhere in the 1990s – with Alexa Chung and Taylor Swift big proponents of the look. This year they are crawling back.
EMMA SAYS: “Your duffle coat is a beacon of quirkiness and nostalgia.
“You’re someone who refuses to grow up, and honestly, why would you?
‘You are playful, cheerful and full of childlike wonder, often the one who brings lightness energy for every situation.”
SHEARLING
The wise owl
KNOWN as ‘The Motty’ after the late footie commentator John Motson, sheepskin coats are durable but cuddly underneath.
They are warm, super chic and can be worn both casually and chicly. My experience is that porters hold the door open for others and with a cheeky wink.
EMMA SAYS: “Our sheepskin coat is a statement, part loose, part pub philosopher. People come to you for advice, even if they don’t always take it.
“You radiate charisma and are the center of the party. People either love or loathe your larger-than-life personality.”
PUFFER
The manager
WHETHER you’re playing your own team’s game or keeping an eye on your child’s Sunday league coach, the puffer coat gives you influence, or so you think.
You wouldn’t wear one with a fancy outfit, so you’re less concerned with fashion and more with the practicalities of staying warm and dry. Whatever the context, you mean business.
EMMA SAYS: “If your Jacket could talk, he’d be shouting instructions from the sidelines. You are determined.
“Your puffer fish is your armor, which conveys authority and the belief that with the right strategy anything is possible.”
BARBOUR
The chic farmer
THE waxed jacket is trendy this season, thanks to the rise of ‘countrycore’ and the Disney+ series Rivals, set in the Cotswolds of the 1980s.
This cool coat has taken over Instagram, with the wearer usually staging some sort of idyllic scene of them skipping along a beach.
EMMA SAYS: “Your jacket exudes effortless sophistication, at least that is what you strive for.
You are ambitious and drawn to a country aesthetic that makes you look chic.
Even if your jacket’s only encounter with mud was an accidental splash from a puddle.”