Phase Eight Coats: Which One to Buy, and What You Should Pay

Phase Eight makes one kind of coat really well: the smart, lined, wool-blend one you wear to work from now until March and don't think about again. If that's what you're after, read on. If you want a borg or a cropped bomber, you're on the wrong brand.

We have 58 Phase Eight coats in stock on so-me today, all through Debenhams. Prices run from £65 to £279 and the midpoint is about £145. That puts it above New Look and M&S and a long way under Reiss, which is roughly where it sits on the high street.

The four Phase Eight coat lines, and who each one is for

The names matter here because Phase Eight runs the same coats year after year in new colours, so once you know the line you know the fit.

Nicci is the one Phase Eight push hardest. Belted, with a big waterfall shawl collar, 62% wool on the John Lewis spec, knee length at 108cm. It comes short, long, petite and in Studio 8 sizes up to 26, and Phase Eight's own site prices it at £249. I'd buy it in dark brown or navy. Black is the one you'll see most, and the collar does more in a colour.

Lydia is the tailored, single-breasted one with flap pockets and a contrast collar, 58% recycled wool, 93cm in regular, and the coat Phase Eight call Signature. It also comes as a maxi in camel. Phase Eight list the Lydia at £199. Some colourways on so-me are listed under that as I write, so check the colour you want before you assume the price.

Darcy is the double-faced wool wrap: no lining, the same fluid wool inside and out, an oversized collar and a tie belt, and long at 132cm. Woman & Home's August piece on the new collection compared the camel Darcy Revere to Max Mara, which is a stretch at £210, but the shape is doing the same job. Ours are mostly wine and chocolate.

Aurelie is the military one: gold buttons on a double-breasted peacoat at 77.5cm, or a maxi with a gentle A-line at 122cm. The maxi is the best thing Phase Eight make for wearing over a long dress.

The puffers and the knit coats

Dixie is the puffer. Detachable faux fur hood, belt, fleece-lined pockets, double-ended zip, 55% recycled polyester. Phase Eight charge £229 for the long one and £199 for the short, and they're the only puffers in this range I'd pay that for, because they're cut like a coat rather than a sleeping bag. Amber is the showerproof version without the fur.

The knit coats, Bellona, Jennifer and Byanca, are the cheap way in. They're wool-blend knit, so they drape like a cardigan and cost £75 to £135. Fine for a mild November, no use in January.

Phase Eight coats by colour

Phase Eight do their colours properly. Wine and aubergine rather than a flat burgundy, chocolate rather than brown, and a proper navy. Black is the safe buy and the one you'll see on three other people at the station.

Phase Eight maxi coats

The long ones are where the brand pulls ahead of the high street. Lydia, Aurelie, Cailyn, Darcy and the Dixie maxi puffer all sit around ankle length, and a long wool coat over a midi dress is the easiest outfit of the winter.

Phase Eight coats under £150

Thirty of the 58 are £150 or under today. That's where the knit coats sit, plus several of the wool coats. Worth a look before you pay full price for a Nicci.

Before you buy

Sizing is UK 6 to 26 on the brand's site, but our stock is thickest from 8 to 18, so if you're a 6 or a 20 plus, check the size before you fall for a colour. Every wool coat here is dry clean only. And the ones under RRP move fast, so favourite the coat and let Price Radar tell you when it drops rather than checking back every day.