Fashion lovers are scrambling to snap up the piece after a brand insider revealed over 150 pieces were bagged in just 48 hours
The coat is part of River Island’s autumnal edit with British actress and model Amy Jackson Westwick(Image: River Island)
Thoughts are finally turning to winter wardrobes, and fashion fans looking for a new coat may want to move quickly. River Island has just dropped a seriously chic faux fur number that looks set to become one of the high street’s standout buys this season.
The Brown Faux Fur Belted Robe Coat (£110) landed at the retailer last week. But it’s already proving popular, with the smallest size, XS, now sold out and more than 150 coats bagged up in 48 hours.
And if a River Island insider is anything to go by, other sizes could follow soon. I got a first look at the coat at River Island’s A/W showcase, where a brand expert told me just how well the style has been performing both online and in stores.
The coat forms part of River Island’s latest collaboration with Amy Jackson Westwood, the British model and actress known for her work in Indian cinema – and it has the glamorous appeal you’d expect.
Think serious mob-wife energy: a rich brown faux-fur finish, funnel neckline, long sleeves and a belted waist that pulls the whole silhouette together. It has plenty of drama without feeling overly formal, making it the sort of coat that can elevate a simple winter outfit.
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This faux fur jacket is part of River Island’s collaboration with model Amy Jackson Westwick.
Importantly, it’s also comfortable to wear. The faux fur is incredibly soft to the touch, and when I tried it on, I was struck by how cosy it felt. In fact, it was more reminiscent of a chic dressing gown than a traditional winter coat – and I mean that as a compliment.
For the full mob-wife-meets-off-duty-model look, I’d throw it over straight-leg or wide-leg jeans, add pointed-toe boots, and finish with oversized sunglasses and a structured handbag. For something a little more polished, wear it belted over a simple black midi dress with knee-high boots.
For a more relaxed everyday look, try it with dark-wash denim, a chunky knit and loafers. It’s an easy combination that makes the statement coat feel wearable and effortless.
It does one negative, however. The coat is dry clean only, which can feel like a costly inconvenience when it needs a refresh.
Another winter coat that’s easy to wash is this Pearl Hooded Puffer (£145) from Damson Madder. The navy green check pearl piece features a new removable tie front hood, along with side pockets and an internal phone pocket.
Otherwise, this fleece-lined moorland jacket from Cotton Traders is another machine-washable option. It’s available in three colours (navy, olive brown and sea blue) and it’s on sale, reduced to £44 from £69, saving shoppers £25.
Back to River Island; with colder weather on the way, now is the perfect time to get ahead of the winter coat rush. If the current sales figures are anything to go by, waiting until temperatures really plummet could mean missing out altogether.
