From longline leather to plush shearling and polished gorpcore, Harriet Cowie unpacks the four outerwear trends shaping how we’ll layer (and invest) this season.

I definitely understand the appeal of summer dressing – breezy dresses, optimistic hemlines, a full spectrum of sleeve options – but for me, winter is where things get interesting. It’s the layers, textures, hats, gloves and, most importantly, the jackets. Arguably the most important cold-weather investment, this year, the silhouettes are shifting. We’re seeing longer, leaner cuts, sculptural shapes, mixed materials and the continued creep of functional outerwear. Let’s begin with the definition of chic: the longline leather coat. Cinched at the waist and grazing the ankles, they’re the outerwear equivalent of a red lip; a type of aesthetic armour that exudes composure (regardless of whatever madness is manifesting in the background). Few execute it with the same authority as Parisian outerwear house Nour Hammour. Known for elegant, enduring styles, the deep brown Dakota is peak coat perfection, but if its shearling collar is a bit much, then the Butter leather trench or the classic Claude are more mild. The Attico and Entire Studios have their own contemporary takes, while St Agni approaches the look with trademark restraint. For those seeking a softer price point (or a faux leather), Kookaï and Country Road deliver convincing alternatives.

On the opposite end of the spectrum sits gorpcore. Hailey Bieber gave the outdoorsy trend a decisive push at Saint Laurent’s 2026 Paris show, pairing the house’s Cassandre Cropped Windbreaker with lace-trimmed silk shorts, black nylons and heels. Locally, Maggie Marilyn’s Longing for Home jacket is edging towards cult status,…