AnOther considers one of the most exciting propositions to come from New York and London fashion weeks, not on the catwalk but on the street. You heard it here first: the two-coat trend...
There is always one question that runs through one's head during the shows: what's new? A genuinely new, interesting proposition for the season ahead; one that stands out from the rest. Whilst most of the answers can be found on the catwalk, occasionally there will be a trend that will be spotted on the street. And very rarely, one that can't directly be traced to the runway.
This season's case in point is the two-coat trend first spotted during New York fashion week, with increasing presence during the London shows. On inspection of recent collections, it perhaps has its roots in the styling of the Céline resort 2012, in which Phoebe Philo and stylist Camilla Nickerson placed eye-popping floral blazers atop of the model's shoulders. But this wasn't a two-coat look. The new look may have also been motivated by practicality: moving from show to show in February, from the bitter cold to a heated show space, demands a layered look. But this can be problematic: it's bulky and somewhat unchic to remove two coats.
"Its genius is two-fold: it allows the wearer to sport two coats and work that elegant jacket-around-shoulders look"
This aside, its genius is two-fold. It allows the wearer to sport two coats, perhaps a chic blazer or sculpted leather biker, with a long wool coat. And, importantly, allows one to work that elegant jacket-around-shoulders look, reminiscent of 1950s Hollywood starlets stepping out of a car onto the red carpet, or the gentleman who wears his Emperor coat over his suit. So it's classic yet entirely now. Remember, you heard it here first.
Text by Agata Belcen and Laura Bradley
Agata Belcen is the fashion editor of AnOther. Laura Bradley is the commissioning editor of AnOther and a writer specialising in fashion, fragrance, arts and culture.
