H&M’s under £45 layering coat is the smartest design you'll see this year – and it looks luxe

Rewind to a time before the scarf coat existed. Can’t imagine it? No surprise – the genius layering piece has cemented itself as a fashion staple since its rise to popularity last year, thanks to one especially stylish design from Swedish brand Totême. Then, said design sparked a flurry of lookalikes across a range of price points, led by one contrasting stitch from none other than Marks & Spencer.

Fast forward and the high street is once again awash with the cosy scarf-coat hybrid. Here at Good Housekeeping, we’ve had our eyes on one simply chic version from H&M, and not just because it’s a mere £44.99. Designed as you’d expect, with a versatile detachable scarf, the H&M staple features a round neckline, minimalist button detailing and is crafted in a lined, woven fabric. We’d argue it’s a must-have for the cold snap.

Available in smokey dark grey – perfect for cloudier days – and rich dark chocolate brown, whichever colour you choose will pair effortlessly with the autumn and winter pieces you already own. But act fast: the brown version has only one size left, which, predictably, means the grey won’t be in stock for much longer. Style with a fluffy knitted jumper, a pair of tailored trousers and pointed-toe boots for an incredibly sleek outfit formula that’ll guarantee compliments galore.

But, there are plenty of other high street scarf coats I’ve had bookmarked for a few months now while patiently waiting for coat weather. If you’re looking for something with real wool, Cos has an excellent grey coat that also comes in a cool black and a retro-inspired check. Meanwhile, Arket has a red wine burgundy version that fits like a glove thanks to its refined slim fit.

If you’re in the market for a longline version, River Island’s immediately comes to mind, combining the whimsicality of a cape jacket with the sophistication of a sweeping ankle-length coat. Equally, JD Williams has a neutral version that goes up to a size 32, making it the ideal staple for anyone and everyone – no unnecessary tailoring required.

Browse our selection of the best scarf coats below, starting with H&M’s.

Of course, we’ve also included the Totême staple that started it all.

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