THINK BIG! That was the message for coats this fall, a season that launched dozens of fashion memes thanks to the ubiquitous oversized silhouettes showcased on the runways. Missoni, Simone Rocha, Vetements and Balenciaga swaddled models in coats and capes—up to seven layers, in some cases. Calvin Klein and Marc Jacobs featured roomy (okay, gargantuan) outerwear and boxy shoulder pads that could double as protection in a football game. 

Fashion’s obsession with volume may have elements of the political—Are we seeking protection from a challenging world? Is this a commentary on the weight we all carry on our shoulders?—but it’s also rooted in function. It’s nice to be cozy, comfortable and mobile instead of constricted. (I hate that distinct sausage-casing feeling when I have a sweater on and have to cram my arms into my jacket.) And it’s also just fun. I can’t help but smile at the theatricality of voluminous proportions. 

If you’re in the market for a new coat—be it supersized or in actual human dimensions—we’ve got lots of inspiration for you. See “High Noon”, for a range of on-trend pieces, and our outerwear special, featuring our current market faves like plaids and puffers. Our cover shoot, featuring Brazilian supermodel Isabeli Fontana, highlights some seriously high-end faux-fur options from brands like Gucci, which stopped using fur in 2017, and Givenchy, which used only faux fur for its current fall/winter collection. There’s something for everyone. Hope you have an XXL month! 

Vanessa Craft 

Editor-in-Chief 

Follow me on Instagram and Twitter. 

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