As the cold weather approaches now is the prime time to start thinking about winter coats. That said, should you:

• bring out the old faithful coat you’ve worn for the last 10 years? Or;
• invest in a new one?

It’s a tough choice, one that we’re all faced with when winter is just around the corner.

So let’s start with option (a). If you recyle your old coat what’s so bad about that? After all, there’s enough throw away fashion in the world without you contributing to it, right? Well, there are a few things you need to think about before dusting off the old faithful.

• Does it look good?

Chances are, it got worn to death last year and it might be looking a little shabby. Any coat that is starting to look bobbly in places, has marks or missing buttons is well past its best.

• Does it look dated?

Styles of coats change each year and unless you’ve chosen a very classic style, your old coat might look behind the times. The thing that ages a coat most is the style of its buttons. If your coat is still lovely in every other way and you can’t bear to part with it, why not replace the old buttons with some that look more in keeping with the lastest styles? You do also have the option to add a new pair of gloves and scarf in the season’s on-trend colours to update the overall look.

• Does it make you look and feel good?

A coat you bought a few years ago may have suited your shape and lifestyle then, but what has changed in the meantime? You’ll be wearing your coat for a good few months so it needs to be stylish as well as functional. If it makes you look anything less than gorgeous, I’m afraid it might just be time to let it go.

By now, you may have decided to go out and a buy a new coat, congratulations on making this decision, but also beware of the pitfalls.

When buying a new winter coat the most important factor to consider is how much you’re going to spend. Unlike other clothing purchases, a coat will be something you’re likely to wear every day. Bearing in mind that our winters seem to last from November to March, you’ll probably have it on your back for at least 123 days. So this is were a simple calculation called “cost-per-wear”comes in.

A coat priced at £200 will cost you £1.62 per day if you wear it all winter. Wereas a party dress priced at £65, that you wear twice, will cost you £32.50 per wear. All of a sudden, the pricey coat seems not so pricey at all. Keep it for two winters and you’ve halved the cost again. My advice here is simple, buy the very best that you can afford!

The question that I get asked most about coats is this;
“I love the latest style of coats but will they look unfashionable next year?”

The simple answer to this is, who knows! This year, if you want to err on the side of caution then the best style to go for is the military look. These coats are usually belted at the waist have epaulletes, pockets and lots of buttons. Of all the styles around, this one is the safest bet if you plan to keep it for another season. The military trend seems to pop up year after year. It’s quite a fun style, whilst also being very flattering.