The faux fur coat could be the star piece of this season's fashion

For the coming season, the material of choice will be synthetic fur. Photo: AFP

What kind of coats and jackets will succeed the super-snug down jackets and puffer coats of last year?

While comfort still seems to be high on the agenda of many fashion fans, next season looks set to get a little more sophisticated, with length (but not too much), ultra-pigmented colours, and fur... well, fake fur, reflecting growing consumer interest in materials that respect the planet as well as animal welfare.

It may not feel like coat weather in certain places (Europe, for example) right now, but the warm weather can't last forever, and the fashionable crowd will soon have to trade a summer wardrobe for more snug outfits.

And when that time comes, coats and jackets are obviously a must.

Read more: Pandemic or not, Autumn/Winter 2021 fashion roars back to life

For the coming season, the material of choice will be synthetic fur. This is already proving popular around the world, as revealed by data from the global fashion research platform Stylight.

Clicks for this material are already up 26% since the beginning of the year, compared to the same period in 2020.

In this report, Stylight studied the shopping and browsing behaviour of its 120 million annual users and, in particular, analysed clicks on various product categories during the period from January 1 to August 25, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020.

When it comes to colours, ultra-pigmented shades will be the hottest hues for Autumn/Winter, especially frog green. Stylight notes a 163% overall increase in clicks on jackets and coats in this shade.

Colours inspired by nature will be everywhere too, such as orange-brown hues (+112% clicks since the beginning of the year).

Forget very long or very short cuts, as knee-length coats are currently causing a stir online.

Meanwhile, the star accessory appears to be a thin belt, which is most often found on trench coat styles. Clicks on skinny belts are up 37% since January.

Oversized styles, yes to comfort

While the trend for down jackets and puffers seems to be living its last days, this could soon be replaced by the oversized bomber, seen over and again on many runways.

Clicks in this category have increased by 33% over the first six months of the year.

Read more: From scarf masks to platform boots, being 'extra' is a big accessories trend

In the same vein – but with more length – XXL takes on the trench coat have been gaining ground for several weeks, with a 30% increase in clicks since January.

And somewhere in the middle – right between comfort and elegance – lands the quilted coat (preferably green) as showcased by Max Mara for the Autumn/Winter 2021 season.

Stylight reports a 40% increase in clicks for this type of coat. – AFP Relaxnews

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