Our favourite summer-to-autumn coat and how to wear it.

The parka is a garment that more or less comes with the instruction “use me how you will”. In the course of history, it’s been used to fend off polar climates (by the Inuit people), to fight wars (by the US military) and to keep suits scooter-proof (by the Mods). Today, you’ll see it worn by characters as diverse as Mr Liam Gallagher, who is quite the parka fan, and Mr Kanye West, who favours fur-lined examples and has also designed some of his own for his much-buzzed Yeezy collection. As we head towards the tail end of summer, a cotton parka can work as a light layer that you throw on in the evening. But, as things get colder, you can also seek out parkas with extra insulation. If you can imagine it, you can probably do it in a parka, a fact that makes us rather excited at the arrival of a slew of new parkas on MR PORTER this week. Scroll down for three of our favourites, and the clothes to wear them with.

British brand Albam is on familiar terms with the climate in this rather dingy country of ours. In a defiant riposte, therefore, to the impending greyness that will be descending in a couple of months’ time, it has produced this brilliantly orange (yes, orange) parka, inspired by a vintage military design. Wear it with a pair of selvedge denim jeans on a misty autumn morning, and you’ll be spottable from many metres away, however horrible the weather.

Another British brand with a unique take on vintage workwear and military clothing, The Workers Club packs a great deal of ingenuity into every garment it creates. This parka is a case in point. Not only is it entirely water- and windproof, it’s designed to fold away easily into its interior patch pocket, which makes it the perfect thing to throw in your backpack if you’re heading off into uncertain weather. Aesthetically, too, it’s rather pleasing, thanks to the cape-like kimono shoulders and authentic fishtail hem at the back. Wear it with a beautifully autumnal mustard-marl sweater from Inis Meáin and you’ll be sure to stay warm as well as dry (and yes, also look good in all your “I went outdoors!” Instagram posts).

Milan-based brand Aspesi combines sleek, minimal style with a subtle appreciation of technical detail, both of which come together in this shell parka. Designed for conditions that are more on the wintry side, it comes with a detachable faux shearling lining, as well as a panoply of internal and external pockets for safely storing all your bits and bobs. Pair it with some seriously sturdy boots from Minnesotan footwear specialist Red Wing Shoes and stomp out into the chill of autumn/winter 2017 like it’s absolutely nothing.

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