A new coat has always been an autumn/winter investment and this season, women have plenty of choice. On the catwalk we saw big and billowing and sharply tailored; boyish and womanly; rich colours and pale nudes.
But what were we wearing 20, 30, 40 or even 50 years ago? We take a look in the Country Life Archive to see what past Fashion Editors suggested for the perfect winter cover up.
TWENTY YEARS AGO Fashion Editor June Marsh favoured smart military-inspired tailoring, seen at Ralph Lauren, Aquascutum and Rifat Ozbeck. Millinery by Philip Treacy. Click here to view the original story: GREAT COATS
THIRTY YEARS AGO The excess of the 1980s can be seen in Anne Price's winter coat line up. She advises fabulous fur and leather by Grosvenor Canada, Maxwell Croft, Massin Furs and Birger Christensen. Accessories by Aquascutum and Russell & Bromley. Click here to view the original story: CLOTH COATS WITH HAIR ON
FORTY YEARS AGO In 1973 Anne Price noted the season's coats were elegant, classic and reminiscent of the style of the late 1940s. Designers that made the cut were Hardy Amies, Aquascutum and Aubrey Segal. Accessories by Jacoll and Femina Furs. Click here to view the original story: CLASSIC CUT FOR WINTER
FIFTY YEARS AGO Succeeding Betty Wilson in September 1963, Anne Price takes up the post of Country Life's Fashion Editor. Taking inspiration from the hunting field, she recommends country coats of tweed by Jack Clarke of Dublin, Brenner and Sylvia Mills. Millinery by Scotts, Herbert Johnson and Andre Bernard. Click here to view the original story: HUNTING IT OUT
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