What's so special about this M&S coat that made it sell out before it even hit the shelves?

When its new season collection dropped earlier this year, critics and customers were both quick to slam the new direction - and higher prices.

But fast forward four months and it seems new Style Director Belinda Earl is onto something – as pieces from her collection are selling out before they’ve even hit the shops.

The M&S Collection Notch Lapel Oversized Duster Coat in Blush Pink, £85.00, has sold out online before being released in stores.

Labelled as autumn’s ‘must-have’ item, the brand’s pink coat in a beautiful dusky pink shade was obviously too good too miss and customers snapped it up ASAP.

In Marks and Spencer’s flagship store in London’s Marble Arch, the waiting list for the coat was more than 100 – and it’s now only available online in pastel shades instead.

So what it is about the pink coat that’s making us Brits snap it up in droves?
We have to be honest, we’ve always regarded the pink coat as something our Granny would wear.

The Queen herself is partial to the odd pastel pink outerwear – often teaming her pink coat with matching gloves, bag and shoes.

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But it seems HRH is something of a style inspiration as the catwalks were awash with pink coats this season.

At London Fashion Week earlier this year, John Rocha, Topshop Unique and Roksanda Ilincic all featured pink coats in melon, rose and bubblegum shades.

Kate Middleton must have had her eye on the LFW catwalk as she stepped out in a pastel pink Alexander McQueen coat at the Trooping of the Colour in June.

Ryan Gosling’s lucky girlfriend Eva Mendes opted for a bright pink Valentino coat in New York – whilst model Daisy Lowe went for a fitted dusky pink coat for the Moschino FROW.

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[M&S AW13 womenswear clothing collection in pictures]
If the thought of wearing something similar to the Duchess of Cambridge, the Queen and Ryan Gosling’s squeeze is enough to make you go out and get one, never fear.

Zara has a double breasted, pastel pink coat on sale now while Primark has a budget-friendly M&S dupe available for £32.

But be quick, we reckon these will both be sell outs and you’ll be scouring eBay with fellow pink coat hunters before you know it.

Will you be rocking a pink coat this winter? Tell us on Twitter now.