Red (or, Orange or Plum) Riding Hood

Yes, it's just August and we're in the middle of a heat wave. But my mind is firmly in "autumnal mode" now. Plus I've gone several years without being able to find a decent new winter coat so I have to keep an eagle eye out for the new stuff hitting the shops, in case I miss the perfect one. So far the following have caught my eye. I'd like to keep my Comptoir de Cotonniers purple tulip coat that I wear every winter for smarter occasions, I think, as it is just so perfect in fit and the wool is such good quality. But I do need a hooded coat for Southampton - which often has coastal, blustery weather (RIP several cute Primark umbrellas).

Three coats for living on the coast by nazneen372 featuring a duffle coat

From left to right:

1. Topshop, £98

I'm not sure the swingyness will do me any favours whatsoever, but the colour is lovely and it really does make me think of a gothic Red Riding Hood.

2. Very/Isme, £55

I do rather like this in theory, slightly flared/nipped in shape (a full flared skirt doesn't work on little stumpy me, I've found). But I'm not sure what the quality will be like.

3. H&M, £35

I'm a bit annoyed that I didn't buy this coat last year in the red, which was so perfectly Red Riding Hood. But the orange actually looks rather nice I think, at least here - it very much depends on what it looks like in real life. I don't want to glow in the dark!