The Furrrtastic Coat...

There is something quite prestige about fur - faux fur that is. Is it perhaps the soft texture that just feels so warm and inviting against the skin or the smug satisfaction of pulling a cream fur coat tightly around you when all your colleagues are wearing boring old trench coats? Could it be the variety of colours, the lengths, the style of fabric or just the fact that you are indeed wearing a fabulous, furry coat? What ever the reason, a fur coat is a fashion staple this autumn/winter, with both designers and the high street picking up on this furrrtastic trend (see what I did there!)

We have been wearing fur for a long old while, I'm going back to the cave men era here, but it wasn't until the Edwardian period that women began wearing fur coats, hats and scarves as serious fashion accessories. During the roaring 20's, women wore floor length fur coats with their tiny little flapper dresses. The Hollywood stars of the 50's were regularly seen swaddled in fur coats and stoles - Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, Vivienne Leigh.... The A listers sure did like their fur. Throughout the 70's and 80's, fur was forgotten a bit but made its grand come back in the 21st centurary with rappers rocking fur in hip hop music videos and actresses donning the faithful furry friend again. And for fall 2013, it was big news on the catwalk.

Topshop Unique, Fendi and Simone Rocha all featured the fur coat in their collections, from pretty pastels to foxy browns. Dries Van Noten and Chanel also joined in with this fresh trend as have the high street stores who have literally gone gaga over fur. H&M have a wonderful range of furry, winter coats and jackets on sale now in all shapes and forms. My favorite? A soft, creamy fur jacket coming in at only £30! There are bargains out there, believe me. River Island, Zara, Whistles and Topshop also seem to be in the furry mood as do New Look whose fur coat collection starts at about £45. The whole shearling/fur look is quite huge at the moment too. Shearling is like fur but more Royal Air Force, if you understand me.

I know what you're thinking...Fur is a tricky trend to pull off. Nobody wants to look like a giant polar bear walking down the street or a Del Boy clone just come out of some stuffy old bar! Look to style icons of past and present for inspiration. Mary Kate Olsen, Jennifer Lopez, Agness Deyn and even Kanye West like to throw in the fur every now and again, in a variety of leopard prints, teddy bear textures and dark blacks and browns.

Are you convinced yet? Avoid looking like Cruella DeVille this winter by wearing your fur coat with plain accessories, leather trousers and simple jumpers. Let the fur do all the talking as you strut along the boulevard, feeling like a Hollywood A lister. It's all about feeling furrrtastic baby!!!