The right winter jacket keeps you warm all the way from pre-drinks to the last round, and looks just as good over a dress as over jeans: long and padded when the night runs late, wool or faux fur when you want to make an entrance. We picked out this winter's jackets and coats that we'd reach for ourselves on a Saturday in town, and what we'd wear underneath.
Start with the length
A short jacket that ends at the hip lets your dress show. One that goes down over the thigh keeps the warmth in while you wait for the taxi. And a properly long style is the one you'll be glad of when you decide to move on to the next place.
A long winter jacket for late nights
Want length and luxury in one? Go for our Long Faux Fur Coat in dark brown. It's 115 cm long in size S, lined and closes with press studs. In the photo we wear it with a white knit and wide brown trousers, tone on tone and properly luxurious. Prefer padded? Pcbee New Long Puffer Jacket from Pieces is 95 cm long in size S with a two-way zip, so you can open it at the bottom and let your dress show. Or choose Alexandra Long Down Jacket from Boomerang, 99 cm with a detachable hood, a drawstring that gives you a waist and a zipped inner pocket for your phone and lipstick.
Padded, but with a waist
Love the warmth of a padded jacket but still want to show your waist? Our Padded Down Jacket in brown is 86 cm long and has a drawstring at the waist that gives it shape. It also comes in black. The brown one is styled with a striped top, wide white trousers and brown heeled boots, and the black one with black flared trousers. The heels make the jacket evening-ready.
A wool coat for dinner
A wool coat makes the whole look. Our Hooded Wool Blend Coat in light beige has a straight fit, a detachable waist belt and a hood with detachable faux fur trim that frames your face. Best worn white on white: a white top, wide white trousers and black pointed heels. It also comes in black. Our bestseller Short Wool Blend Coat is a short brown coat with a big collar, tie belt and lining. With it: a brown top and wide jeans. It also comes in grey. After length? Go for Long Wool Blend Coat in grey, with a big collar and tie belt. Wide black trousers and a white top underneath, and you're ready for dinner. Want to dress it up more? Try the Bubble Hem Satin Jacket and Flared Satin Trousers set from Bubbleroom Occasion in green satin, styled with black pointed heels.
Faux fur, for when you want to make an entrance
Faux fur is the quickest way to make an outfit feel like a night out. Our Short Peplum Faux Fur Coat has a peplum silhouette that marks the waist and closes with press studs. Prefer a straighter shape? There's our Faux Fur High Collar Coat, short and lined with a high collar and buttons at the front. We've styled it with a beige roll neck, wide beige trousers and black heels. And if you want to stand out a little more: Onljade Animal Fur Jacket from ONLY, white with an animal pattern. We wear it with wide cream trousers and black heels.
Checklist before you decide
- Length. How much of your outfit should show?
- Hood. Fixed, detachable or none at all? A detachable hood gives you both.
- Waist. A drawstring or belt gives even a padded jacket some shape.
- Zip. A two-way zip is gold on long styles.
- Room underneath. Try it on with what you'll wear, a dress or a blazer.
Winter jacket FAQ
Which winter jacket is the warmest?
The more of your body the jacket covers, the warmer it feels. A long padded jacket with a hood, like Alexandra Long Down Jacket or Pcbee New Long Puffer Jacket, is our pick for the coldest nights.
Which jacket goes with a dress?
A short faux fur jacket or a belted wool coat. If you want the warmth to go all the way down, choose a long faux fur or wool coat, or a long padded jacket with a two-way zip that you can open at the bottom.
What's the difference between a winter jacket and a winter coat?
A winter jacket is usually padded and closes with a zip. A winter coat is usually made of wool or a wool blend, has buttons and a more tailored fit.
How long should a winter jacket be?
If the night runs late and you're walking home, choose one that goes over the thigh or longer. If you're taking a taxi door to door, a shorter style that ends at the hip is enough.
Ready for tonight? See all winter jackets, or go straight to wool coats, faux fur jackets and down jackets. You'll find the party pieces at Bubbleroom Occasion. And don't forget your shoes: here are our favourite winter shoes.