Fashion needn't cost the earth. Here is a selection of on-trend colour coats at prices to suit all pockets - but can you spot the bargain?
IF anyone tries to tell you black is the new black this autumn and winter, tell them you know differently.
Colour is grabbing all the fashion headlines - and for good reason.
At this time of year, as the days shorten and the nights grow longer, our natural instinct is to turn down the colour volume and swaddle ourselves in darks.
Black, navy, brown, deep mulberry and forest greens are the common shades of autumn and winter.
But not this year.
Red has raced ahead in the fashion stakes, making a claim on being the hottest colour of the moment.
But there are plenty of other shades on its stiletto heels. Yellow and green may make the boldest statements, while soft pinks, blues, fawns and greys signal a softer touch.
SHADES OF GREY: One of these coats costs £298, the other is £69 - can you spot the bargain?
One of the easiest - and boldest - ways to accommodate this trend into your overall look is to invest in a coloured coat.
Liberate yourself from any notions you want to buy ABC (Another Black Coat) and commit to a bit of ABB (Anything But Black).
While colour might have made a splash on all the catwalks, you don't have to fork out on couture (or even crippling high street) prices to buy into this fashion moment.
BLUE FOR YOU: One coat is £199, the other £69 - can you pick the best deal?
By all means, take your inspiration from the top designers - then shop (or browse online) around to see if you can get the look at a price that won't exceed your weekly supermarket bill.
Fashion sense dictates that a great winter coat is worth investing decent money in.
But if you merely want to flirt with a fun trend for one season only, then the good news is you won't have to sacrifice style even if you scrimp on price.
TAUPE CLASS: Two coats, two prices, one is £199, the other is £59. Answers at the end...
To prove our point, we've put together a selection of desirable coats, across the shades of the rainbow, and in an arc of prices, for those feeling minted as well as skinted.
We challenge you to spot the difference.
HOW DID YOU SCORE? HERE ARE THE ANSWERS...
Yellow coat: (l-r) Max Mara £369, George at Asda, £20
Red coat: (l-r) Jaeger £350 and Wallis £150
Pink coat: (l-r) House of Fraser £199, La Redoute £99
Grey coat: (l-r) M&S £69, Jigsaw £298
Blue coat: (l-r) La Redoute £69, House of Fraser £199
Taupe coat: (l-r) M&S £59, Phase Eight £199
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