So it’s been a few weeks of scouring the nations online stores for coats and I’ll be honest, it has not been an easy task because aside from the taste factor, and sometimes price, not every store sells coats for autumn and winter. Have they forgotten that we live in England?
But after looking at a lorra lorra coats (she says in her best Cilla Black voice), here are a few suggested spots for coat buying on the high street, plus my tips for buying a coat for your baby or toddler.
High Street Shopping
Hands down, the best spot has got to be Zara Baby. They have puffa coats, parkas, dressy wool coats and it’s mostly between £12.99 and £30. It is a crying shame they don’t sell online. Or maybe it’s not because I spend less…
Also try H&M (they’re more winter suits than coats). Mothercare, but only for the black Baby K winter suit (by Myleene Klass) that’s quite cool.
Debenhams and House of Fraser are actually quite good for boys coats especially if they’re casual, knocking around coats, with quite a few of them by big name designers. We featured Debenhams coats here.
You can always try your supermarkets like Tesco, Asda, and Sainsbury’s as very budget options as they sometimes have little gems – we featured a pretty jacket from Asda (pictured left) a couple of weeks ago.
Yes there are of course shops like Next and M&S but you do have to look hard to find an inspiring number that you’re not going to see everyone else in.
And here are 10 tips for buying your bambino’s autumn/winter coat:
1. Set a budget
Really you can get coats for just about any price these days from cheap as chips through to jaw gapingly expensive and if you’re particular about style (of course you are – you’re reading this site) then it’s a good idea to set a budget before you get carried away. Best for style on a budget are Zara Baby and Molly ‘n’ Jack where we featured this fab Poppy Coat from, £26.
2. Or take your mother shopping with you…
I went to Zara Baby on Saturday to buy a coat for the bambino to run around in and muck up without disapproving eyes. My mum and my aunt were with me so she left with two coats…Tee hee!
3. Buy a coat suitable for the task
The bambino has a coat for when she’s dolled up and one for day to day wear. You don’t want to be stressing about them catching it on branches or being covered in mud.
4. Don’t go overboard if they’re at the growing at the speed of light stage
If you have a child under one be careful with sizing as they may hardly get a wear out of it. They can also, depending on the style of coat, looked a bit swamped in it. I highly recommend getting a winter suit (or two if you’re a two coat kinda person). I featured some brilliant ones by Molo and Mala, but if you’re in H&M and on a budget (or you have simpler tastes) they have winter suits for around £13-16 in a few different colours. You could always accessorise with a cool hat and gloves.
5. Do try it on your bambino if you can
Coats that we were gifted to us in her actual size at the time were way too big and much like when women complain about crap varying sizing across the high street, if babies could talk, they would too. If you’re shopping online, clarify with the store about whether sizing comes up big or small.
6. Remember that ‘cheap’ sometimes looks cheap and doesn’t wear well
I’m all for a bargain but be careful of coats that look and feel as cheap as their price tag as you’re likely to tire of them quickly plus you’ll probably end up buying another one. Throwaway fashion is soooo two years ago! If you do go down the cheap and cheerful route, be careful of things like fur detailing as the cheap stuff matts and clumps together. The better the detail such as nice lining, buttons, extras, the better the bargain buy.
7. Treat it well and it has a good resale value on eBay
I practically have a shop full of baby gear to sell off and baby clothing is highly resalable on eBay, especially essentials like winter coats. High street brands like Next and Mothercare get snapped up on there, as do Gap, Zara, H&M, TopShop, and of course designer gear.
8. Don’t forget you can buy on eBay too
Obviously scrutinise the details. It’s great if it has tags on, but if it doesn’t, check about stuff like pet free, the actual condition, zips working etc. Serious bargains to be had so your bambino could have several coats to strut out in….
9. Remember that if you buy from certain places, you may see lots of other kids in it
Much like when you turn up at the club in the same outfit as your friend, it’s just as annoying when you rock up to nursery, party, or the play group and there’s a couple of other kids wearing it… That’s why t’internet’s so wonderful! So if you do decide to buy a coat from the likes of Next, you may want to get a bit Blue Peter with it and change the buttons or detailing…
10. Get a fleece if you don’t think you need a full on coat. Get a puffa if you just want a does everything coat.
I hated fleece till last week but Molo has converted me. It’s particularly handy for those in between days where a full on coat may be excessive. Or buy a puffa coat. There are so many out there is a host of colours, prices, and detailing, with cheap and cheerful buys for under a tenner at supermarkets, £12.99 at Zara Baby (and looking great too), around £15-£25 at big department stores like Debenhams, £69.99 if you want slightly posher, super fabulous like the Molo Artic Jacket (it’s not so puffy too), through to three digit prices if you go full on designer with brands like Finger in the Nose and Little Marc Jacobs at Little Fashion Gallery.
To see all of the coats that were featured, go here. Don’t forget we’ll still be featuring coats as and when we find them!
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