As a fashion editor who wants to help you make your wardrobe the best it can be, I don’t love promoting things that aren’t practical. That said, something that I often remind myself is that not everything we own must be practical. That’s the beauty of fashion—saving space in your closet for some less-than-practical pieces that are special and make you feel good is perfectly fine.
In this instance, the celebrity-approved impractical item I’m referring to is a long white coat, and Jennifer Lopez and Rosie Huntington-Whitely just wore the style in recent days. Snowy-white wool coats are also a common sighting on my fashion influencer-filled Instagram feed. Sure, they may not be easy to keep clean and the dry-cleaning bills might eventually add up to more than the coat cost, but there’s no substitute for the eye-catching elegance of a white coat. Not only that, they look expensive because they’re impractical. Speaking of Lopez, she added elegance to a sheer silver maxi dress, while Huntington-Whitely made her trousers and satin pumps look especially chic on a chilly December day in London.
If you’ve decided you’re ready to take your chances on a white coat, keep scrolling for styling inspiration from a few very elegant dressers, and to shop a few of my favorites for yourself.
On Celebs
On Jennifer Lopez: Kurt Geiger Fabric Kensington Clutch Bag ($185); Dolce & Gabbana shoes
On Rosie Huntington-Whitely: The Row Catena Coat ($5250) and bag; Phoebe Philo pants; Saint Laurent shoes
On Influencers
Shop White Coats
Reformation
Asher Coat in Cream
Mango
Wool Coat With Handmade Belt in Ecru
Lioness
Olsen Coat in Cream
Favorite Daughter
The City Longline Wool & Cotton Tweed Coat in White Boucle
Splendid
X Cella Jane Wool Coat in Snow
The Row
Catena Oversized Wool and Silk-Blend Cady Coat
Zara
Manteco Wool Blend Fitted Coat ZW Collection