During winter, streets in the northern hemisphere turn into a sea of fur-trimmed parkas. Originally thought up by the Caribou Inuits, the parka is a perennial unisex favourite that’s never out of style, continually worn by the likes of Kate Moss and Cara Delevingne. And yet every so often, something brings the parka to the fore of fashion. Right now is one of those times, largely thanks to the way designers have used fox and mink to take everyone’s winter cover-up from army surplus store to couture dream. Take Alexandre Vauthier: here, Joan Smalls opened the AW16 show in a refined update on the khaki classic lined with glossy black Silver Fox from Saga Furs. Or Mr & Mrs Italy, who have re-imagined the US army parka lined and trimmed with fox and Finnraccoon in all the colours of the rainbow.
From oversize to sleek, here are five of the best parkas right now to keep the chill at bay.
Reversible elegance from Yves Salomon
Trust master furriers Yves Salomon to bring the parka into the big league. Keep it stealthy by wearing it the traditional way with a peek of its brown mink lining or turn it inside out for the full hooded mink coat experience.
Image source: matchesfashion.com
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Arctic-proof sleekness from Woolrich
Woolrich know their parkas. During the 1970s, they outfitted workers on the Alaskan Pipeline with the Arctic Parka for extreme sub-zero temperatures. Now updated in a slim-fit silhouette, it’s the perfect way to keep warm. Zip the Saga® Finnraccoon inner front and hood all way up for an almost regal fur collar look.
Image source: woolrich.com
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Detachable fur and double layering from Burberry
Not only does Burberry’s lustrous belted parka come with a detachable and ultra-soft fox-trimmed hood, but it also has a down-filled inner jacket that can be zipped on and off or worn on its own.
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Mink patchwork from Saint Laurent
Hedi Slimane may have left the French house, but his glamorous interpretation of festival chic lives on in this mink-lined piece. Zip it up and it’s the quintessential subtle khaki parka. Leave it open to reveal its wave-dyed mink lining and it’s something altogether more opulent and fun.
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Low-key luxury from Moncler
Proof that the parka can be quite grownup, this sophisticated version in sand cotton twill with neat brass buttons from Moncler is finished with a tonal Finnraccoon collar.
Image source: mytheresa.com
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