PORTER Picks: The Evening Jacket

When it comes to putting together an elegant evening look, what you wear over the top matters just as much as the outfit underneath. Your outerwear is often the first thing people see when you walk in the door, so a coat or jacket that leaves a lasting impression is essential for any stylish partygoer who wants to make a grand entrance. Fortunately, this season, designers have moved beyond the practicalities of gabardine trenches and felted wool overcoats (which you probably already have in your closet) to bring us a host of opulent outerwear as glamorous as a gown you’d wear to a black-tie benefit. At the top of our wish lists are the luminous floral-jacquard ‘Henri’ coat from our exclusive Kallmeyer capsule, Alaïa’s rich velvet blazer and Posse’s satin ‘Chester’ design, all of which will add grandeur to a little black dress or slinky separates.

Beyond the trend for lustrous textures, shearling and faux-fur trims offer an evening outerwear update that’s everywhere right now. Valentino Garavani leads this trend with its sumptuous tailored jacket, but our edit includes plush pieces from Chloé, Toteme and Nour Hammour, too. They’re the perfect complement to a silk dress or to layer over sleek tailoring and will instantly enliven off-duty looks. Try styling the latter’s ‘Aida’ coat – a NET-A-PORTER exclusive – with a black turtleneck and indigo jeans for casual drinks with friends. Its leather and shearling mix has a ’70s appeal and is the kind of piece that takes an outfit from day to night.