Elegant outerwear for women who want to embrace their femininity

With the arrival of autumn/winter, there’s always a lot written about masculine coats, boyish bomber jackets and utilitarian parkas. But what’s out there for those women who don’t like oversized, structured or tough tailoring? What is there for women who favour a softer, more feminine approach to outerwear? Read on for some pretty lovely suggestions.

Checks are always a strong story for autumn/winter, but this season they’re especially dominant. Most iterations, however, come in muddy hues and masculine silhouettes. But this gorgeous option from Topshop is so fresh and pretty, but totally on trend nonetheless. Just because it’s styled below with yellow and white, don’t think you can’t wear this coat with deeper, more autumnal hues. It will layer beautifully over tans, mustards, blues and burgundys.

Check duster coat, €110 at Topshop

Black doesn’t have to mean boyish. This shorter-length cape with faux fur collar has something of Old Hollywood glamour about it. It’s elegant and refined and it will work for the office as much as an evening event.

Cape with faux fur collar, €99.95 at Zara

There’s something very sophisticated and classy about a white coat; probably because it suggests the wearer doesn’t have to worry about the expense of dry cleaning bills or the possibility that it could easily be ruined by either the weather or a careless red wine drinker. This coat has extra-wide lapels which give it a really stylish impact. Even better, it’s part of Mango’s Take Action range which works to use more sustainable fibers and reduce the environmental impact of the clothes we buy.

Belted wool coat, €149.99 at Mango

This dusty blue hammered-satin coat is exquisite and perfect for women who want their outerwear to express their femininity as much as the high heels or jewellery they choose. I love the complete lack of detailing; the contrast between the black lapels and soft shade of blue makes the perfect statement.

Two-tone hammered satin coat, Stine Goya, €400 at net-a-porter.com

A flounce sleeve, a ditsy floral print and an A-line silhouette makes this an ideal buy for women championing their femininity. Part of the GP & Baker collection for H&M (the former is a Chelsea-based fabric company), it’s a stunning style solution for autumn, as it will pretty up trousers and look wonderfully 1950s over a dress or skirt.

Flounce sleeve coat, €27.99 at H&M