Craft-focused jackets to invest in next year

“The jacket is the first thing people notice and the last thing they forget.” Tom Ford, one of fashion’s most formidable forces, isn’t wrong. In the colder months up north, or as the festive season takes over in the south, outerwear does far more than keep the chill out. Good coats are conversation starters, punctuation marks of a whole look. While a classic Burberry or Barbour trench may often be touted as a capsule wardrobe essential, in a country as craft-rich as ours, it makes sense to go several steps further and invest in pieces that could one day be classified as heirlooms. After all, you may not want to repeat a shirt every week, but wearing the same jacket through an entire season can still feel striking. Be it coats that lean into folklore or jackets with woven flowers and lubu beads, here are six fits for the new year. Boito The Tara and Tarini Coats The slow fashion label’s focus on Odisha’s tribal textiles and ikats has quickly established it as a brand to watch closely. Its engagement with mythological narratives is evident in the Tara Tarini Coat, inspired by the fierce sister goddesses of Odia folklore. In Tara, tailored in crimson Sambalpuri ikat silk, white motifs depict the goddess in her mountain abode. A dhokra metal belt, cast using the ancient lost wax technique, adds sculptural strength, echoing ritual armour. It’s twin, the Tarini, is a long ensemble crafted in organic, handwoven Kotpad cotton, dyed in shades reminiscent of fertile riverbeds. Traditional motifs reference tribal customs and rituals, with the goddess’ eyes offering a protective gaze over extra weft birds, peacocks, temples, and trees. The belt is strung with colourful lubu beads, traditionally worn by women of the Bonda community. Jodi Kala Cotton Jackets Made in Kala cotton, hand dyed and hand embroidered, Jodi, the young brand founded by two magazine stylists, has come into its own. Known for its playful approach to block printing from Jaipur and whimsical embroidery finished in Pune - think local flora, folk dancers, and fantastical creatures - the jackets allow for a lightness of expression without losing craft depth. The coarser style of cotton makes everyday pieces that need to survive on-the-go days. Pair them with voluminous skirts or matching handloom trousers for a relaxed yet intentional look. Bonus: the brand’s take on beaded scrunchies, playful bags, and mix and match from the brand language’s repertoire. péro Kadua Weave Jacket After years of careful world-building, péro’s pieces carry a signature that feels familiar to long-time followers and new buyers alike. From the quilted pink Hello Kitty coat to its much-loved Kullu weaves, the brand creates garments that feel as good as they look. For this list, we recommend the handwoven chequered silk reversible jacket in a kadua weave from Banaras. Part of their wildly popular 100 unique jackets edit, the checks are a nod to southern textile traditions, while the kadua extra weft technique create delicate florals that appear as if...

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