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• December 5, 2008
• Trend Spotting

March Madness! Band Coats Get a Red Alert

By Kelley Hoffman

The redcoats are not just coming—they've arrived! We're seeing these little red jackets all over the streets, and, naturally, our favorite designers like Phillip Lim 3.1 and Karen Walker are offering their own versions. This jacket is not only holiday-ready, it can transform an outfit into a total power statement with shades ranging from burgundy to cherry red—just check out Chanel's pre-fall czarina-chic collection, which was completely peppered with hot shots of scarlet.


Above, from left: A scarlet coat from Chanel's Pre-Fall 2009 collection; a military coat spotted by Garance Doré.





Above, from left: A band jacket on the scene in LA, photo via The Cobra Snake; Karen Walker fall/winter '08 collection; red alert in Paris, photo via Street Peeper.


The marching band jacket, however, has been a favorite trend since we first spotted it a few seasons ago. And our friend, Jane over at Sea of Shoes has declared her own love of the look. While the uniform stylings are so of the moment, we're even more taken by that striking shade of red—and clearly the kids we pulled from Paris, London, and L.A. would all agree.

Above, from left: A red robin in California, photo via Lookbook; a perfect band-leader style from 3.1 Phillip Lim's Holiday collection; parade in the park, photo via Lookbook.