Ask Lisa Armstrong: My wife wants a luxury winter coat. What should I buy?

Lisa Armstrong is The Telegraph’s head of fashion. She began her career in fashion at Vogue. She has written four novels, has an honorary doctorate from the University of Arts in London, and was awarded an OBE in 2022 for services to fashion.

Each week, she responds to your queries, lending her expertise to help you shop smart. Have a question for her? Submit it below

Dear Lisa,

I would like to buy my wife a good quality wool/cashmere coat, without going into the upper realms of designer wear – something by Max Mara for instance. The problem is she is only 5 feet tall and everything seems made for 6ft models. She is 69 years old and has always dressed stylishly. I should be most grateful for any suggestions you may have.

– Charles

Dear Charles,

Coats are certainly quite long at the moment, although not as long as the samples the models wear in pictures might suggest. Then again, all hemlines are long, and it looks smarter when a coat isn’t a foot shorter than the dress or skirt beneath it.

There are a few shorter options around, designed to be worn with trousers or short skirts. Jane Atelier’s Trafalgar Coat, in khaki or navy, is a very trim fit and very well made (in the UK). There is some polyamide in it, but the bulk (70 per cent) is wool, with another five per cent cashmere. This is definitely made to last.

Trafalgar Coat, £975, Jane

If you can, take your wife shopping with you. A coat is a big purchase and not something I’d want to buy online, or not until I’d tried it on in store. You mentioned Max Mara and with good reason - they’re the gold standard of classic, durable coats. There are many ranges within the brand, including S Max Mara which is slightly sportier and more affordable than the top line, where coats now cost as much as £4,500. I’ve gone for this camel beauty because it’s slim cut with a belt, which I think is more flattering on shorter women than double-breasted styles.

Wool and cashmere midi coat, £1,450, Max Mara

Speaking of relative bargains, this from Johnstone’s of Elgin is down to £895 from £2,150. It’s cashmere, so potentially a little more delicate than wool, but so soft and a great cut for shorter women. It too is designed to be belted – at 5ft, it’s best to avoid anything too flared or too voluminous. Single breasted would be preferable to double.

Cashmere Donegal Collarless Coat, currently £895, Johnstons of Elgin

Margaret Howell is another great British brand and this single-breasted checked wool coat is worth a look.

Harris tweed houndstooth wool overcoat, £,1595, Margaret Howell

This lovely herringbone coat from Toast is giving very strong Margaret Howell vibes at a much more accessible price. Toast’s clothing is generally well made and year after year comes up with great coats. This could be the one.

Wool Herringbone Belted Coat, £675, Toast

But then again, there’s Joseph, which I love for warm, luxurious, timeless coats. At the moment they have a sale and this is a great buy in a flattering, soft, goes-with-everything shade.

Heritage Wool Louise Coat, £717, Joseph

Jigsaw has also earned a reputation over the past few years for competitively priced, classic coats. And they’re flying out, especially as they have a sale on at the moment. I originally picked a belted silhouette in chocolate (also comes in red) that might work a treat on your wife (it was flattering on me and I’m 5ft 4) , but when I checked just now, it had sold out. But this could be a good option. It’s now £243, although if your have the money for a pricier one, go for the latter - you get what you pay for with coats, provided you’re not going for a really hot, of the moment label, which might have added a zero to the price just because they can.

Double Faced Tailored Coat, currently £243, Jigsaw

On that note, I offer one last, outside the wool box coat, from small independent label, Stoned and Waisted (no money spent on flashy marketing, it’s all direct to consumer and ethically sourced). It’s sheepskin, so very warm, durable and a real showstopper.

Louisa Shearling Coat, £1,600, Stoned & Waisted

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