6 autumn moods, 24 brilliant coats! From cosy heritage to luxury glamour we’ve found the chicest, from £60

I love coat season, wrapping up against the elements is fun when you have the perfect coat to suit your needs and style. And, of course, a well-chosen coat is a one-and-done way to present your style to the world.

Which brings me to the big question. If you’re in the market for a new coat, where do you begin for autumn 2026? It’s one very pertinent now if you, like me, are looking to add a new one into your life.

I’ve been wearing the same navy Crombie style cashmere coat for the last seven years. I bought it in a charity shop for £15 (don’t hate me) and it has been a dream buy for years. Now, it’s past its crisp best, I’ll be wearing it less for work and dinners out, and more for weekend walks and supermarket runs.

Finding its replacement has become an unexpectedly enjoyable exercise because this season isn't dominated by one shape or trend. Instead, there are six moods running through the style veins of autumn and winter, and these six moods - with four coats each -are shared in the edit below.

The newest mood is opulent almost superstar levels of glamour, which surfaced at the Paris catwalks shows last week, and which you can channel now with a full fake fur coat, or a coat with fake fur collar and cuffs. M&S has even produced detachable faux fur cuffs for £20, an easy way to transform a coat you already own.

Then there's the scarf coat, complete with its built-in or detachable matching scarf, perhaps the season's most elegant proposition. And also popular in knits too. At the other end of the spectrum is the shorter coat, a response to the milder autumns we've grown used to. It's practical, modern and ideal if your day involves trains, bikes or getting in and out of the car.

I’ve long been a fan of a belted wrap coat, they are chic, enveloping, and make a striking fashion statement, and this is likely where I’ll be investing. A brand I rarely shop, Mango, has created a stunning cherry red belted wool coat I’ll be trying, and I’d go so far as to say Mango has some of the best coats around due to both their design and high wool content.

If you’re looking for the fashion colour of the season, chose a coat in bitter chocolate brown, the edit here features a waterproof long brown pleat back parka from M&S and a relaxed boyfriend style from Nobody’s Child.

Last but not least, heritage styles. We all have a coat we love for a country or park walk – mine is an ancient Barbour bought randomly from a farmers fair in Devon, but this is perhaps the coat mood we can most get behind for its sheer usefulness coupled with evergreen style.

6 autumn moods, 24 brilliant coats for autumn 2026