Joseph Camel Coat

Conjure a camel in your mind and you get reliance, stolidity and a hump or two. Not the most glamorous concepts, yet when camel is transferred into fashion terms it becomes a bastion of elegance and sophistication, an opinion enthusiastically shared by AnOther’s Lovers who unanimously voted this sumptuous Joseph Camel Wool Man Coat, as chosen by commissioning editor Laura Bradley, as Love of the Week.

Everyone has a camel coat heroine. For those seeking an icy blonde soignée, it's hard to beat the smouldering Parisian chic of Catherine Deneuve in Belle de Jour, the prim folds of her creamy coat an apt representation of Severine's ever wavering veil of propriety, and Faye Dunaway in The Thomas Crown Affair, dressed by costume designer Theadora Van Runkle in a tonal confection of neutrals, topped with a snappily tailored pea coat. But for those aspiring to an unfussy, all American air, the poster girls are Ali McGraw in Love Story, breaking hearts the world over in a flip-collared, belted affair, and Jackie Kennedy at JFK’s inauguration in 1961, keeping warm in full skirted camel, cinched in with oversized buttons. For the camel aficionado, this Joseph edition is an inspired combination of the two, marrying warmth and practicality with a sharp mannish cut.

"For those aspiring to an unfussy, all-American look, the poster girl is Ali McGraw in Love Story, breaking hearts the world over in a flip-collared, belted camel affair"

Despite the fact that thoughts of coats mark the tail end of summer, we’re choosing to celebrate,not rue, the return of tailoring to our wardrobes. Here we speak to Bradley about her Joseph-inspired camel coat obsession, and the excitements coming up in the next few months.

Why did you choose to Love this coat?
Even though I'm desperately trying to hold onto summer, the sensible side of my brain is telling me that now is the best time to invest in a winter coat. In the past I've made the mistake of leaving it until September to look, and by that point, options are few and far between.

What would you wear it with and where?
I like a camel and pink combination. Some light blue Levi's, a grey T-shirt and some baby pink Nike Air Max. And pink nails.

Who are your camel coat inspirations?
Guys look really good in camel. There's a lot of camel in The Royal Tenenbaums – Richie and Pagoda wear it in very different ways, but both well. And Nucky Thompson in Boardwalk Empire always looks sharp. I've seen a lovely picture of Jane Birkin in one. And of course, our senior fashion editor Sofia de Romarate.

What is your favourite piece of iconic Hollywood clothing?
I'm torn between the red hoodie from E.T. or Sharon Stone's white crepe wool dress from Basic Instinct.

What are you looking forward to this month?
A trip to Berlin to meet the brilliant nose Geza Schoen. I'll also be going to the Helmut Newton Foundation and maybe the zoo.

What was the last thing you bought?
A vintage French tennis racket. I want to start playing tennis. But I worry it's a little impractical.

Text by Tish Wrigley