Usha Vance’s scarf coat is on trend – here’s how to get the look

One of the advantages of residing on an island at latitude 55.3781 degrees is the diverse coat choices. Leave it to other countries to bask in the 300 days a year they can wear lightweight summer dresses. We have similar opportunities for a wide range and varying types of coats.

A style that transitions from calf-high to below the chin, but then something completely unlike it appears - stylish, sophisticated, timeless yet fashionable, and ideal for the rest of the months.

Scarf coats first made an appearance in the 1950s. In 1959, Hubert de Givenchy created an exquisite houndstooth example which is arguably their finest hour. Following that, they appear to have dropped out of fashion, remaining a relic from a more traditional and formal age.

However, it was in the winter of 2021 that the Swedish brand Toteme launched a coat that would become a defining style of the decade – a knee-length, H-shape, 88% sustainable, high-quality wool car coat with matching scarf incorporated. Particularly striking was the contrasting overlock stitching on both the scarf and coat, giving it a sleek yet effortless appearance. The pale pink Oscar de la Renta version worn by Usha Vance, wife of US Vice President J.D. Vance, to the inauguration will undoubtedly extend its influence far beyond the fashion community.

The thing about it is, you can wear a scarf coat to a meeting or a night out, but it's just as suitable for the school run too (I suppose even the Oscar de la Renta version might be a bit over the top for the average school, even in high-spirited circles in the States, but can you imagine how useful it would be for swearing-in ceremonies?). It occupies that wonderful crossover point where function and sophistication come together. The Toteme original was a bit of a one-sided attraction for so many people, including myself, but I did worry that its very individuality might also be what would make it fall out of favour really quickly.

It appears not. Toteme's masterstroke has been hugely successful and has been repeatedly emulated in the market – there are many alternatives available currently, including an Asda polyurethane option, which looks nearly identical in visual images but doesn't feel as good in reality.

Others have taken the concept and adapted it in their own way, replacing the standard blanket stitch with textures or patterns, such as the Mango one I'm wearing. Scarves can also be secured by stitches, but others can be detached separately, making the coat more practical when the weather eventually warms up.

I have a preference for a scarf coat. It's sleek and elegant, and personally, I find this style more flattering than the typical trench, and also warmer.

Most scarf coats, similar to the original Toteme, usually have a relaxed, unstructured fit. As someone on the shorter side at 5ft 4in, I tend to steer clear of long coats without structure - I think one needs a bit of height to pull them off effectively. I prefer coats with a straighter or belted style, like the Mango version. It's not the warmest coat, but slipping into something that makes you feel a bit more glamorous, like a 1950s star or a sleek Swedish style, can be nice. Best of all, it will be perfect come spring, when lighter weights are needed that still keep your neck warm.

I think there's a high demand for scarf coats right now, to the point where many sizes are sold out. It's likely they'll make a return next year and beyond, so I'd recommend keeping an eye out for them. Perhaps avoid those with a blanket stitch pattern, but the concept as a whole appears to be popular and worthwhile considering.

Lisa is wearing a coat made from a wool blend, priced at £199.99. Mango Brown leather phone case, £185, London Velvet ; Leather boots, £85, John Lewis Smoky quartz ring, approximately £345. Jean London Flared suit trousers, £99.99. Reiss ; Acetate sunglasses, £197, Black Eyewear Merino wool polo shirt, £250 Artknit Gold-plated earrings, one hundred and eighty pounds. Carolina de Barros

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