The longer the better: Bring your long coats out of hiding this fall

After being relegated to the back of the wardrobe last winter in favour of shearling coats, padded jackets, parkas or leather jackets, long coats are set to make a comeback this season, with the longer the better as the new motto.

After being relegated to the back of the wardrobe last winter in favour of shearling coats, padded jackets, parkas or leather jackets, long coats are set to make a comeback this season, with the longer the better, as the new motto.

Landing in a host of prints, fabrics, colours and cuts, we bring you some of the hottest winter coats spotted at the latest round of fall/winter catwalk shows.

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The fall/winter 2016-2017 season will be all about length, with coats leading the way, gaining a good few inches compared with last year’s cuts. This winter’s coats should fall to at least calf-length, but the season’s must-have will be an ankle-length cut.

(From left) Isabel Marant’s long, loose coats channel a masculine vibe but are worn over highly feminine ensembles; Nina Ricci’s extra-long vinyl coat with pattern finish. (AFP)

While certain designers shunned the long coat, only showing models falling to mid-thigh lengths, others opted to make the long coat a flagship piece of their fall/winter collections.

Nina Ricci, for example, showed a selection of long coats in various fabrics (vinyl, fur) and colors (khaki, brown, plum, anthracite gray), sometimes finished with patterns. Isabel Marant also opted for vinyl coats in red and black, as well as chunky knits and more classic pieces finished with geometric prints.

Elegance and femininity

(From left) Feminine sophistication was on the agenda at Chanel, with extra-long quilted coats; Fendi used the belt to highlight waistlines, but only with the fur version. (AFP)

Several fashion houses presented extra-long coats channeling a refined, even sophisticated, style for fall/winter 2016/2017, with cuts and shapes intentionally made more sensual.

The long flowing coats at Giambattista Valli seemed to melt seamlessly into the dresses they covered, ramping up elegance for eveningwear looks. Karl Lagerfeld also opted for refined style with Chanel’s loose quilted coat, modeled with a perfectly matching scarf.

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These designs capture a highly feminine spirit, channeling absolute elegance. This inspiration was also seen at Dolce & Gabbana, with a flamboyant gold-colored coat.

To further heighten this feminine feel, coats of all lengths were cinched with belts — preferably wide belts — to highlight and accentuate waistlines. This trend was spotted at Lanvin, with a lamé coat, and with Fendi’s fur coat.

Masculine vibes

(From left) Coats come with masculine cuts at Céline; military-style coats were spotted at Topshop Unique, worn over pretty, feminine ensemble; Lanvin cinched its long coat at the waist with a wide belt. (AFP)

As well as extending length, some fashion houses opted for very loose, baggy designs, seen in both heavy and lighter, flowing fabrics. This, along with the often large shoulders and oversized necks, made for a generally more masculine look. Isabel Marant played with both vibes, showing this kind of coat worn over highly feminine ensembles or, on the contrary, with more mixed looks.

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Céline showed a selection of coats in the same style, with very loose and straight cuts, worn with baggy pants, sometimes with sportswear inspiration.

Military-style khaki coats also bring a masculine feel to the fall/winter 2016-2017 season, with several army-inspired outerwear options spotted at Prada, as well as Topshop Unique.

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