Every year without fail I buy a black coat from the Zara sale. Actually, I tell a lie as this year (and the whole point of this blog post), I didn't. I went into store with my usual 'it has to be black' mindset but surprised myself by coming out with a navy blue buy instead, the one pictured here.

I had admired it previously but wasn't prepared to splash the cash when I really wasn't sure how much wear I'd get out of it. Silly me because, as I've now discovered, the options are pretty much endless especially when teaming the coat with denim. Although it's a casual coat by design, the navy helps add a bit of polish to some much loved and well worn jeans and there's just enough room to get a denim jacket under it too - a definite plus for a double denim lover like me.

I've also worn it 'smart' with some wide leg black trousers and bow blouse and aim to wear it with a fitted black midi dress and boots too - when the ice finally thaws here in Glasgow so that may take a while...

The only thought I've had to put into any outfit this coat has featured in is with the accompanying bag. Anything too chi-chi or ladylike looks wrong and anything too bulky distracts from the silhouette of the coat. My solution, when doing the denim look at least, is this fabby little bag, pictured above, that I bought in Next last year. It only cost £20 and I love that it adds a pop of colour to the look without taking too much shine from the main attraction.   

I'm also finding that now I'm north of 45, navy is more flattering to my skin tone than my usual black, especially in winter, and that's something I'll be bearing in mind next time I'm considering yet another black purchase - especially if there's a navy, midnight or even anthracite option available.

Sincerely Yours,

Photography by Susie Cormack Bruce

Coat: Zara
Sweater: Zara
Jeans: Gap
Bag: Next
Scarf: Hermes