11 affordable wool coats that look & feel expensive, because January is the best time to update your outerwear

We are well and truly in the depths of winter, and with the latest cold snap appearing to have arrived almost overnight, many of us are scrambling to find our cosiest knitwear, stompiest boots and warmest coats to see us through. With no end in sight to the Baltic temperatures we're currently experiencing, now is as good a time as any to assess your winter wardrobe – starting with the most important item, outerwear.

Alas, whether you opt for a faux fur number or an ankle-grazing puffer design, a coat often tends to be the most expensive element of your ensemble. So imagine our delight when we discovered a cohort of warm wool coats courtesy of the high street that are as affordable as they are chic (read: very).

The beauty of a wool coat is that it's unfussy and easy-to-wear, working just as well thrown over the top of a cardigan and jeans as it looks layered over a stylish midi dress for more formal occasions. It's heavy, in a good way, denoting a high quality of craftsmanship and, crucially, a lot of insulation. The key to nailing the look – and making sure your coat lasts well beyond one season – is the quality and amount of wool used in your selected style. Many high street designs feature a wool blend, so make sure to read the label before you hit purchase.

Just last October, Sienna Miller was spotted out in London wearing a luxe navy wool wrap coat by Aligne. ‘The George’ style is a consistent best-seller in all four of the colourways it comes in (navy, grey, black and white). Similarly, the likes of Emily Ratajkowski and Selena Gomez have been known to favour Mango's wool designs, proving you don't need to break the bank. After all, if it's good enough for the A-List...

To save you time, we've rounded up the best affordable wool coats to ensure you can enjoy being warm, stylish and rather smug for the rest of winter and beyond.