It’s time to bid adieu to lapels.
If I could have more of anything in the world—minus, time with family, vacations, etc., etc.,—it would be coats. Hey, this is a fashion story, after all! Outerwear is my guilty pleasure, but one that I have to nip in the bud because of space. If you live in NYC, you know that closet space is a holy grail—and having a coat closet, nonetheless, that you can actually use for coats (not miscellaneous items you stuff into it, never letting guests open it up because you worry everything will come crashing down!) is like winning the lottery. I have a coat closet—that’s too full, yes—but after doing some mid-winter cleaning, I have some space for new outerwear, and first on my must-buy list is Reese Witherspoon’s rich-looking coat style.
Witherspoon was snapped out and about in the Big Apple, doing what appeared to be some shopping (hey, white shopping bag in hand!), looking as New Yorker as ever in her all-black outfit that consisted of all the seasonal staples. She wore a long black skirt, which she paired with a sweater and tall black, block-heel leather boots. She finished off the look with a black oval sunnies, black handbag, and the pièce de résistance: that long black collarless wool coat. Simply *chef’s kiss.*
Everlane the Cocoon Coat
$198 $139 at Everlane.com
Reformation Asher Coat
$428 at Reformation
Witherspoon’s coat had many standout details, including the leather front strip, oversized button, roomy pockets, and a waist belt, but the key piece that makes this coat a real winner is the collarless design—as in, no lapels to be seen, and honestly, I’m so into it.
Sometimes, lapels on my outerwear get in the way for me. They make it harder to wear scarves, and sometimes, stand up in weird ways that just bother me. So, the collarless coat solves all those points of frustration—not to mention, it just looks 10 times chicer. And while it’s simple and clean cut, the collarless coat stands out for this very reason: Its beauty is in its simplicity, and with the fashion world veering toward the simple, more ladylike, and more refined, I predict the collarless coat, in its various silhouettes, will dominate the outerwear world in spring 2025.
Shop more collarless coats inspired by Witherspoon’s from Quince, Rag & Bone, and more below.
Get the Look:
Wit & Wisdom Shoulder Dart Coat
Shop now: $128; nordstrom.com
Quince 100 Percent Merino Wool Collarless Cropped Jacket
Shop now: $90; quince.com
Rag & Bone Abby Scuba Knit Cardigan
Shop now: $398; nordstrom.com
Mango Contrast Faux Leather Trim Faux Fur Toggle Coat
Shop now: $200; nordstrom.com
Karen Millen Italian Manteco Wool Collarless Belted Tailored Maxi Coat
Shop now: $479 (Originally $599); karenmillen.com
Wit & Wisdom Collarless Crop Jacket
Shop now: $89 (Originally $118); nordstrom.com
Zara Double-Faced Toggle Jacket
Shop now: $70; zara.com
The Frankie Shop Sabel Collarless Wool Coat
Shop now: $395; thefrankieshop.com