It's likely to be your biggest splurge of the season, so wouldn't it be great to have lots of time to thoroughly peruse all the options before deciding on a winning winter coat?

Sadly, when it comes to this particular fashion feat, time isn't on your side, because the outerwear collections are dropping at a rate of knots, with the most popular pieces flying through the checkouts.

They won't be back in stock either, so if you want to be toasty AND on-trend when winter eventually rolls around, these are the coats, wraps and jackets to nab now...

CREAM OF THE CROP

Icy white at Dolce & Gabbana and Fendi; beige at Calvin Klein; magnolia at Celine - the designer outerwear colour wheel had a lot in common with the unadventurous paint choices of a first-time home buyer.

But what these coats lacked in brightness, they more than made up for in style, with wide lapels, covered buttons, cocoon shapes and flashes of fur spelling out a timeless, ladylike vibe.

Classic coats like these will last a lifetime - if you can manage to keep them clean.

:: Related Rowen Coat, £295 (available late October; www.relatedapparel.com)

:: River Island Beige Wool-blend Belted Wrap Winter Coat, £120 (www.riverisland.com)

MUST BE SUEDE

Burberry is always a bellwether when it comes to coats and for AW15, Christopher Bailey's focus was firmly on suede, as he sent all manner of capes, wraps and trenches down the runway, many with a ton of tassels attached.

A key component of the Seventies feel that's sticking around for autumn, a fuss-free brown suede jacket is a great canvas for woollen accessories.

:: East Suede Tassel Coat, £375 (available November; www.east.co.uk)

:: Zara Suede Jacket, £79.99 (www.zara.com)

GREAT CAPES

Structured retro capes are still around, but to tap into the Seventies renaissance, you'll want to wrap up with a woollen blanket.

Not so much a coat as a gigantic scarf, these sizeable knits are perfect for throwing on over jeans and boots at the weekend, but for something a little more structured, consider looping a leather belt snugly around your waist.

:: Autograph Top, £39.50; Limited Edition Wrap, £45; Limited Edition Trouser, £39.50 (available October; www.marksandspencer.com)

:: Hobbs Harewood Cape, £299 (www.hobbs.co.uk)

O-FUR THE TOP

If you invested in a big, colourful Honey Monster number last year, the good news is it's still very much in vogue this winter.

In fact, the fun fur trend has gone into overdrive, with rainbow brights and multicoloured patchwork coats, plus stoles and pom-pom bag charms added for good measure.

:: Urbancode Faux Fur Chevron Coat, £189 (available September 27, www.urbancode.co.uk)

:: Heine Faux Suede Coat, £199 (www.kaleidoscope.co.uk)

PUFF PIECES

Have a duvet day with a big quilted coat, as seen on the Moschino, Fendi and Hermes catwalks.

But remember, fashion's take on the puffa jacket is a little more minimalist, so not just any old hiking jacket will do - sleek shapes come to the fore, while zips and buckles take a back seat.

:: Coat, £260; Trousers, £95 (available soon; www.house-of-gerryweber.eu)

:: Bonprix Quilted Jacket in Berry, £39.99 (www.bonprix.co.uk)

TRAD CAMPAIGN

Houndstooth, tartan and tweed were all on heavy rotation in the AW15 collections - but not as we know them. Prints were blown up, hems were abbreviated and tradition was generally left behind.

Tap into the heritage reboot by styling an oversized coat in a country casual fabric over a short skirt and over-the-knee boots.

:: Twill Wool-Blend Checked Coat, £440.90 (www.navabi.co.uk)

:: Wool Bonded Lace Coat, £440.90 (www.navabi.co.uk)

GET THE LOOK

It's a match made in sneaker heaven: Mary Katrantzou has emblazoned the classic Adidas Superstar 80s with her quirky badge print, as part of a collaboration with the sportswear brand. No wonder presenter and style blogger Ashley James (formerly of Made In Chelsea fame) has snapped up a pair.

:: MK Superstar 80s Badges Sneakers, £130 (Hervia.com)

BUY IT NOW

Debenhams has announced that the latest addition to its Designers at Debenhams roster is Savannah Miller, who has just unveiled an extensive collection of chic, easy-to-wear day pieces. From basic tops and jeans, to cosy capes and a splash of sequins, a subtle Seventies vibe runs through the range.

:: Nine by Savannah Miller Grey Knitted Boyfriend Cardigan, £50, and Black Camisole Style Dress, £55 (www.debenhams.com)

FASHION FLASH

:: MARIO'S MAKEOVER

Dungarees have had a major renaissance in the past few seasons, so it's no wonder some of fashion's biggest names were lining up to give digital dungaree-wearing hero Super Mario a makeover. Giles Deacon, Henry Holland and Markus Lupfer are among the designers who've reimagined the Italian plumber's outfit to mark his 30th birthday. They also each whipped up a pair of the dungarees that were auctioned in aid of the Starlight Children's Foundation.

:: CAKES ON THE CATWALK

September is the month when all the major British fashion houses unveil their latest wares at London Fashion Week, but this year, another national institution is getting in on the action too. Greggs staged its first ever catwalk event, showcasing the brand's autumn/winter 'collection' of baked goods. The show culminated in a dress made out of Greggs paper bags and was called - wait for it - Pastiche.

STYLE STEAL

Stacey Solomon's first ever fashion collaboration ticks lots of autumn trend boxes - not least this creamy blanket coat - and not only that, most of the pieces fall comfortably in the sub-£50 region. Check out the singer's 15-piece collection now at LookAgain.co.uk.

:: Belted Wrap Over Coat by Stacey Solomon for Oli, £45 (LookAgain.co.uk)