There is a well known saying in industrial circles – ‘quick, cheap, and high-quality: choose two’. The desire to get things done as quickly and cheaply as possible without affecting their quality is seen as an impossible task, without certain compromises. In many ways, this also rings true of building up a wardrobe. Those who are willing to spend large amounts, can easily create a timeless wardrobe bursting with clothing of the very highest quality. By the same token, those who are willing to wait, buy second-hand, or scour seasonal sales can build up a comparatively cheap, but just as high-quality, wardrobe.

However, for those that would rather neither wait nor spend vast sums of money, there are luckily a few shortcuts. One of these is investing in versatile pieces that are well-suited to any number of different situations and styles. Another argument to support this is that our personal style tends to evolve over time. If you are part of the younger generation, your taste will more than likely not be the same in ten or even five years’ time. Therefore, it is wise to build a wardrobe that can adapt along with your taste, rather than needing to be replaced entirely. To demonstrate how versatile certain pieces can be, we present three styles and situations integrating a classic navy overcoat.

Casual

For our first look, we pair the overcoat with a simple, everyday combination comprising a hoodie, shirt, jeans, and sneakers. Allowing the collar of your shirt to peek through under the hoodie is a simple way to add an extra touch to a casual ensemble and give it a more deliberate feel. For colour, we have chosen a tonal combination of navy-blues and whites.

Classic

In more formal ensembles, few choices are as stylish as a classic overcoat. Worn with a navy blazer, white shirt, and grey flannel trousers, the overcoat blends seamlessly with the rest of the outfit.

Contemporary

For those who prefer a more contemporary take, we have created a look that sees the overcoat being worn with a knitted pullover, thick t-shirt, wide jeans, and slightly chunkier sneakers. Ensembles that integrate aspects of contemporary fashion have found their way into the mainstream, and in this combination, the structure of the dark-blue coat acts as a unifying element that brings the outfit together.