by Jacqui Pratlett

Created on: November 06, 2009

Top Men's Coat Styles - Winter 2010

This winter sees classic pieces mixing with new fresh styles and colours when it comes to men's coats for 2010. From classic overcoats to chain mail there is variety, style and a whole lot of colour.

The classic double button, knee length over coat is still about this winter, with designers such as Hackett taking this style and keeping it simple. The key trend is practical, every day colours and styles for a wearable look. The prevailing colour scheme is dark, using blacks, dark browns and navy blue. The other classic look still hanging on is the smart jacket, in a classic suit style or a blazer cut. The simplicity, however, ends there this season because bright and unusual colours and fabrics are modernising this classic look. Colours such as bright fuchsia, turquoise and sunshine yellow are mixed with check and plaid patterns, intricately embroidered silks and hardy tweeds to make a quirky yet stylish look. This one is not for everyone but if you are looking for a signature piece that will turn heads this is the winter warmer for you.

Casual outer wear for winter 2010 is inspired by designers such as Balmain and high street brands like Topman and H and M. The key look for casual coats this winter is light cotton fabrics in a sport style like a parka or windbreaker. The colours are bright and patterns loud so once again this is not for the light hearted. Added extras such as fur linings and stylish toggles complete the quirky look and work as practical additions for the cold winter weather. A more muted colour scheme of classic blacks or blues would also work in the sporty style, but this winter is all about colour.

One over arching trend, whether you go casual or smart, modern or classic is military style. There are looks across the board that work military detailing, such as gold braid and lots of brassy buttons. Also, the sharp clean lines of a military style cut influence many jackets and coats this winter. On the designer catwalks military styles ranged from the bizarre chain mail shown by Gareth Pugh to the very wearable pirate styles and World War II inspired coats from John Galliano and Burberry. Somewhere in between is the highly stylised but also wearable Musketeer style jacket seen at Dolce and Gabbana. All these takes on the military theme are transferable to high street looks and just a structured cut in a classic colour can tick this box.

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