The Great Cover Up

With the onset of winter comes the annual dilemma, what coat to wear? Making the sartorial commitment isn't easy - after all, this is the most important piece in your new season wardrobe. It needs to be hardworking, practical and as equally chic thrown over leather pants and a tee as it is with an LBD. Luckily for FW11 cover-ups come in a multitude of stylish guises from the cape to the cocoon. Here are my essential picks for the season ahead.

THE CAPE
Make this seventies staple work for the new season by opting for a cape with unexpected details. This Rag & Bone style is made modern with a pop of electric blue. Wear over skinny black pants and biker boots for instant off-duty cool.

MASCULINE TAILORING
Sharpen every look with a mannish overcoat. Stella McCartney is my go-to for masculine tailoring with a twist. This caramel cover-up will complement fall's seventies palette of burgundy, mustard and chocolate.

MIXED MEDIA
It's all about classic silhouettes with a modern spin. Leather sleeves ready Etro's wool coat for the new season, while the double-breasted detailing keeps things classic. Do like the runway girls and team this hero piece with metallic navy pants and platform ankle boots.

HERITAGE TWEED
Designer Guillaume Henry of Carven is the master of modern chic, and his fall coat offering is no exception. The waist-cinching belt creates the most flattering silhouette over skinny black jeans and pointed pumps, while the leather collar can be detached for a more minimalistic approach to winter dressing.

SPORTY QUILTING
Quilting is back on the style radar but this time around the aesthetic is sportier, more futuristic. Look to Junya Watanabe for the most directional styles that look great with punk-chic tartans and slick leather separates.

COLOR POP
Channel the new season's sixties mood in Burberry Prorsum's tangerine coat, one of the most talked about runway pieces. Be inspired by the show's styling and just add black opaques and platform creepers for a standout silhouette.

TACTILE TEXTURE
Get touchy-feely with fall's fuzzy cover-ups. Sandro's sumptuous ecru shearling coat taps into the trend perfectly. Keep the rest of your look simple and finish with sleek, color pop pants and patent pumps.

THE DUFFLE
It's a perennial classic and for good reason - every girl needs a duffle coat in her off-duty wardrobe. Go preppy and offset Miu Miu's puff-sleeved style with a crisp white shirt and tweed A-line skirt.