I have very little interest in dressing sensibly for winter. Where's the fun in a sensible coat when you could be wearing faux fur? Or gold lamé and sequins? A long black wool coat is great, as is a puffer coat, but this year, with the rise of faux fur trimmings, it seems as if we're collectively craving a little more drama in our wardrobes - ideally the sort that gets you stopped by three different people on the tube, all asking where your outfit is from.
If you are on the hunt for the type of winter coat that makes you pause mid-scroll, there's only one place to look: Queens of Archive. The brand counts Lily Allen (who wore a fur-cuffed PVC style for the Tennis music video) and Alexa Chung as fans, with both of their outfits playing very much into my new mantra of more-is-more this winter. Now, the label has teamed up with Monsoon, bringing its very distinctive aesthetic to a collection that's oh-so-appealing for the colder months ahead.
Monsoon has had a rather good run of collaborations, bringing the likes of Sarah Corbett-Winder and Callie Thorpe on board with their very own limited collections – and its latest pairing feels just as exciting. Founded by fashion insiders Orme and Plunkett, Queens of Archive was built around an interesting concept: clothes with the charm of a vintage find, minus the endless trawling of charity shop rails. Its collections more often than not draw on the glamour of the 60s and 70s, with statement prints and detachable collars becoming staples in many of its pieces.
Merging Monsoon's love of detailing and Queens of Archive's penchant for nostalgic prints, Monsoon x Queens of Archive introduces a collection spanning printed maxi dresses, collared cardigans and a leopard print coat I think we can all probably admit we have our eye on.
Said Camilla Short Faux Fur Leopard Print Coat is the piece I'm suspecting will be the first to sell out – I actually managed to get my hands on it early, and I can confirm it's as great as it looks: plush pink cuffs, tortoiseshell buttons and a bright inner lining. Then, if one great coat from the collection wasn't enough, I'd also be tempted to snap up the Kate Long Embroidered Velvet Jacket, which features the most daring metallic embroidery and tassel-embellished frogging throughout. Aside from great outerwear, the collection delivers in partywear too, with its Dionne Puff Sleeve Mini Dress forming practically all of my outfits in December, styled with a pair of satin heels and black tights.
If there ever were a season to embrace a maximalist approach to getting dressed, this is it. So, naturally, I've already been through the Monsoon x Queens of Archive collection and picked out the nine pieces that deserve a place in your winter wardrobe, leopard print, frills and all.
Shop: The Monsoon x Queens of Archive Collaboration
Camilla Short Faux Fur Leopard Print Coat
This really is the perfect leopard print coat, finished with pink fluffy cuffs and a button-down front.
200
Kate Long Embroidered Velvet Jacket
Frog closure jackets have well and truly taken over, and this iteration features everything you'd want from a statement jacket: tassels and gold galore.
200
Dionne Puff Sleeve Floral Jacquard Mini Dress
If you're struggling for partywear inspiration, this dress blends fuchsia florals with gold accents and puff sleeves - what more could you want!
150
Farrah Metallic Star Jacquard Maxi Dress
The gold stars in this dress make it excellent for pairing with gold jewellery and a clutch bag too.
220
Betty Short Faux Fur Coat
If you want a really good, simple faux fur jacket you'll keep in your wardrobe for years to come, opt for the Betty style.
150
Mary Velvet Collar Houndstooth Mini Dress
Prefer a mini dress? The Monsoon x Queens of Archive collaboration also features this cute mini dress with a collar and houndstooth pattern.
120
Debbie Tie Neck Metallic Blouson Blouse
Style this gold-coloured blouse with black wide-leg trousers, a statement belt and pointed heels.
100
Patti Velvet Bib Metallic Floral Jacquard Maxi Dress
This is a dress you'll be able to wear well beyond party season, styled with a pair of platform heels and a shoulder bag.
225
Lila Tie Neck Leopard Print Blouse
Whether you pick up a leopard coat or a leopard tie-neck blouse from the collection, it feels essential you do so.
85
Gemma Lavers is a fashion commerce writer at Grazia, where she tracks down viral pieces and is as comfortable navigating the M&S new-in page as she is dissecting the latest celebrity look. When not writing, shopping or at Reformer Pilates (a cliché but she's hooked), Gemma will likely be planning her next holiday (and what she's going to wear). For a glimpse into said travels, outfit inspo and life as a journalist, follow her on Instagram.