The outerwear you need now, from the camel coat to the lightweight jacket.

We are well aware that men, on the whole, are not great planners. They like to react to things that happen there and then. And thinking about something specific due to happen in a week or a month in the future can feel vaguely pointless if – whether an asteroid hits Earth or your friend falls ill – it may never actually happen. Planning is always based on a theoretical assumption and must be treated with suspicion at every turn.

With this in mind, it is no surprise that men often like to purchase clothes impulsively and on a needs-must basis. So we can understand why the idea of buying a winter coat when it may not feel like winter yet might feel strange. But we are here to suggest it is a smart idea. There will be a day – it may be tomorrow, it may be in a month – when you will thank us. Save that asteroid incident we were talking about earlier, winter is coming. And you do not want to be left stranded, scrambling around for a coat from rapidly dwindling stock when it does. So why not take advantage of some fresh new pieces landing on MR PORTER today? We found three we like, below, and there is a good chance that you have been paid recently. So take advantage of your temporary new-found riches and invest in something you’ll need for many months, even years. After all, there’s no time like the present.

There’s something extremely reassuring about a double-breasted wool coat that fits just right. It can be confidence-giving and posture-straightening. And when they look as good as this one by Ami – well, it can be positively life-affirming. In the interests of restraint and calm, we’d like to add that a camel coat (and one that is smartly double-breasted) is not necessarily as versatile as, say, a navy or charcoal grey coat. But when the time is right to whip this out – perhaps when wearing these nice slim-fit wool trousers from NN07 – you’re going to look impressive.

Whereas the above coat could withstand plummeting mid-winter temperatures, this jacket, made with lightweight cotton twill, needs a little more help to do its job of keeping you insulated and protected from the elements. This means, of course, that it works for milder weather, which could be a bonus at the moment. And it will even withstand a bit of rain. But if you see this as a long-term staple, you’ll need a few layers on underneath – like this cardigan from Simon Miller. Still, with its corduroy trim and sleek design, it’s one of the best jackets we’ve seen on site for some time.

Ever stylish though they are, we don’t always think of Burberry as the most practical or technical brand in our stable. But this coat flies in the face of such suggestions. Emphatically so. Firstly, it’s been made in an incredibly versatile charcoal colour. Secondly, it has a detachable gilet underneath – useful for temperature regulation and we move through the seasons. Thirdly, it has a sober cut and silhouette which makes it as suitable for, say, an interview as a brisk walk in a practical pair of Red Wing Shoes leather boots. What’s not to like? With its cashmere and wool blend and pleasing heft, this is a serious winter coat.