Coat Questions, Answered

EdNerat is an independent, family-owned British maker of women’s coats and womenswear. Our coats are designed in Wales and cut, made and finished by hand in London. We make our garments from the finest of British textiles and line our coats in pure silk (our weatherproof coats are lined in cotton ticking). We offer our styles in UK sizes 6 to 20 as well as in bespoke sizing. Here are the questions we are asked most often, from which coat shape to choose to how to order a bespoke coat.

About EdNerat

Who is EdNerat?

EdNerat is an independent, family-owned maker of bespoke and ready to wear coats, jackets, capes, dresses, skirts, tops and skirt suits for women. We are based in Wales, and our shop is in Abergavenny. All our garments are handmade in London, and our accessories are handmade in Wales and Somerset, with our belts handmade in Herefordshire. We have a particular focus on coats because they are both transformational and protective: they can define us, drape over us, sculpt us and shelter us, and we can put them on and take them off at will.

Are EdNerat coats really British made?

Yes. Every single EdNerat coat is a British made coat, cut, made and finished by hand in London by our makers, Musa Apparel in East London. Our textiles are woven in the UK, with the exception of our light silks, velvet and moleskin, which we source here but which are sadly not woven here. We are members of Made in Britain and UKFT (UK Fashion & Textile Association).

Where does your cloth come from?

We source our cloth in the United Kingdom from family-owned, centuries-old mills and weavers. These include Linton Tweeds in Carlisle, the original and first supplier of tweed to Chanel, for our bouclés and tweeds; AW Hainsworth in Yorkshire for jewel-coloured merino wools; Lovat Mill in Hawick and Carloway Mill on the Isle of Lewis for our tweeds; Fox Brothers in Somerset, the original creators of flannel, for soft merino jacketing; and Stephen Walters, the Suffolk weavers of three centuries’ standing, who weave our brocades. Our linen is Irish linen from Baird McNutt in County Antrim.

Who makes EdNerat coats?

Our makers are Musa Apparel in East London. Their skilled makers cut and make each coat by hand, which lets us make every coat exactly the way our customers want it, offer repairs and alterations, and keep wastage to a minimum. Read more about our makers.

Why are your coats named after women?

Our coats are named after female British artists, in keeping with the hard work that goes into them and the wide-ranging ambitions we have for them.

Are EdNerat coats classic, traditional or timeless?

Those are the words the fashion industry reaches for when it wants a coat to sound as though it has always existed and would rather you didn’t ask where it came from. We use them sparingly, but we know others search for them, so here is what we would say. Our coats are made with traditional skills (cutting, tailoring and finishing by hand) in classic British cloths such as tweed, flannel and bouclé, in shapes designed to be worn for years rather than for a season.

Is EdNerat a heritage maker?

“Heritage” has been stretched to cover everything from a logo with a founding date to a coat made last year in a factory nobody can name. We prefer to point to the mills: Fox Brothers, the original creators of flannel; Linton Tweeds, original supplier of tweed to Chanel; AW Hainsworth, which has clothed royalty for more than two centuries; and Stephen Walters, weaving for three centuries. That is heritage with a postcode. EdNerat itself is just a few years old; we don’t dress that up.

Is EdNerat a luxury maker?

If you are looking for a luxury coat, a word marketing has worn rather thin, we think luxury is a coat that fits you well, is made from exceptional cloth, is lined in pure silk, is cut and finished by hand and can be repaired when it needs it. The price you pay at EdNerat is spent on the making, not on marketing: we don’t use influencers, give away garments or pay for costly promotions.

Is EdNerat sustainable? Do you work to zero waste?

We operate on a zero waste basis. We make to order, and we collaborate with other small British makers to repurpose our cut-offs: the longer pieces become waistcoats and gilets at Weskit, and the smaller pieces become padded hangers, hairbands, bags and lavender bags. Our packaging is recycled and fully compostable. We also repair and alter our coats, so they last. See our zero waste makers.

Why choose a handmade British coat over a high street coat?

By sourcing and making in the British Isles, we can work in small quantities, meet our makers and work closely with them at every stage, avoid shipping delays, and fix mistakes quickly. A handmade coat is cut and finished individually in cloth chosen with care and can be altered and repaired for years to come. The high street likes to call its coats “investment pieces” and “wardrobe staples”; an investment, in our view, should be something that can be mended.

Coat styles

What coat shapes do you make?

We make coats in five main silhouettes: A-line, hourglass, skirted hourglass, cocoon and trapeze. We also make capes, jackets, dresses, skirts, tops and skirt suits. See all our styles.

What is an A-line coat?

A longer-length coat that skims the body and flares gently from the shoulder. Our A-line coats, including our bell sleeve A-line coats, are popular for occasion wear and formal wear. Browse our A-line coats.

What is an hourglass coat?

A fitted, waisted coat that defines the waist, including our skirted hourglass coats, which flare below the waist. Our hourglass coats are favourites for weddings, Royal Ascot and other formal occasions. Browse our hourglass coats.

What is a cocoon coat?

A relaxed, generously shaped coat that can be belted at the waist. It is an easy coat to wear, and we offer it in all sorts of fabrics – lighter fabrics for spring and summer, warmer fabrics for autumn and winter. Browse our cocoon coats.

What is a trapeze or swing coat?

A mid-length coat that hangs loosely from the shoulder to a wider hem, with flattering seaming at the front and back and a slight vintage feel. These coats are incredibly wearable and make fantastic office wear. Browse our trapeze coats.

Which coat shape should I choose?

Choose an hourglass coat if you want a fitted, waisted shape, an A-line coat for an elegant, longer line, a trapeze coat for an easy swing, and a cocoon coat for relaxed, wearable comfort. If you are not sure which will suit you, our fitting options let you try before you order.

Do you make capes, jackets, dresses and skirt suits?

Yes. Our coats are our focus, but we also make capes, jackets, dresses, skirts, tops and skirt suits, many designed to match our coats.

Fabrics

What fabrics do you use?

Tweed, bouclé, brocade, merino flannel, wool crepe, Irish linen, silk matka, velvet and moleskin. All our tweeds, flannels, linens, crepes, bouclés and brocades are woven in the British Isles, many specially for us and acquired in short runs. See all our fabrics.

What is a bouclé coat?

Bouclé is a textured cloth woven with looped yarn. Our bouclé coats are made from Linton Tweeds bouclés and we offer them in plain and patterned weaves. We buy our bouclés in short lengths, allowing for a maximum of 12 coats, so your coat won’t be one of many.

What is a tweed coat?

Tweed is a rougher, more textured woollen cloth, woven for hard wear and for weather. Our tweed coats, including our Harris Tweed coats, are made from Harris Tweed, Lovat Mill tweed and Yorkshire lambswool tweeds. All our tweed coats are lined in pure silk. See our tweeds.

What is silk matka?

Silk matka is a matt, textured raw silk, woven from hand-spun, irregular yarn. It is light and breathable but holds its shape, which makes it ideal for summer and evening coats. Read what silk matka is and why we use it.

What is a brocade coat?

Brocade is a woven cloth with a raised pattern, traditionally used for formal wear. Our brocades are woven in Suffolk by Stephen Walters, some exclusively for EdNerat, and are made up by hand in London. See our brocades.

Do you make summer coats?

Yes. Our lighter weight coats are made in silk matka, Irish linen and lighter bouclés, and are lined in pure silk. Browse our summer weight coats.

Do you make warm winter coats?

Yes. Our warmer weight coats are made in merino flannel, wool, tweed and cashmere mixes. Browse our warmer weight coats.

Are your coats waterproof?

Wool and tweed are naturally warm and breathable, but they are not waterproof. See our weatherproof coats for coats made for wetter weather.

Can I order a coat in a fabric that isn’t shown?

Possibly. If there is a style you would like in a fabric that isn’t offered with it, get in touch and we will let you know what is possible. If we can source it, we will, but with the exception of our light silks, velvet and moleskin, we will only buy British-made textiles.

Your own fabric

Can you make a coat in my own fabric?

Yes. We will make up one of our styles in your own fabric. Please get in touch to discuss it before you buy or send anything, and tell us which style you have in mind and what the fabric is.

Can you make a coat in a family tartan or estate tweed?

Yes. We have made up a Bell coat in a customer’s tartan and a jacket in a family’s estate tweed, and we would be delighted to make something for you. A tartan coat or an estate tweed jacket is a lovely way to wear a fabric that means something to you. If you have some fabric lying around that you would love to use, this is a great way of putting it to work – and saving yourself some expense in the process.

How much fabric will I need?

That depends on the style, the size, the width of your fabric and any pattern it contains, so we will work it out with you. Please get in touch with the style you would like, your sizing and details of your fabric, and we will tell you the length you need.

What happens after I get in touch?

We will confirm which of our styles will work best with your fabric, advise on the length needed, and help you choose a lining and trim to go with it. See also bespoke coats and clothing.

When to wear a coat

Do you make coats for weddings and Royal Ascot?

Yes. Our occasionwear edit includes brocade, bouclé and silk matka coats, dresses and skirt suits, designed for weddings, Royal Ascot and other formal occasions, whether you are looking for a wedding guest coat, a mother of the bride coat or a coat for the bride herself. We offer fabric matching and sourcing, in-person fittings, bespoke sizing and, for something truly unique, commission weaving.

Do you make coats for work?

Yes – our coats and clothing are regularly purchased by ladies working in law, the city and other areas. We place a huge amount of importance on our garments’ wearability and comfort, and it is a matter of great pride to us to know that senior business leaders choose to wear them. Our work edit includes brocade coats, bouclé coats, wool crepe coats and skirt suits.

Do you make country coats?

Yes. Our country edit includes tweed coats, flannel coats, weatherproof coats and tweed capes – perfect for a day’s shooting, a race meeting, or just being out and about in the country.

Linings and trims

Are EdNerat coats lined?

Yes. Our coats are lined in pure silk and trimmed inside with a strip of satin bias, because we like our coats to be as beautiful inside as out. The exception is our weatherproof coats, which are lined in cotton ticking.

Can I choose my lining and trim?

Yes. We offer our silk linings in about twenty different shades and our satin trims in more than thirty. We suggest a lining and trim combination for every fabric, but you are free to choose your own. We will send you a picture of your fabric, lining and trim combination to make sure you are happy before we proceed. See our linings and trims.

Bespoke and fit

What does bespoke mean at EdNerat?

Our bespoke service lets you effectively design your own garment, matching your chosen fabric to your favourite style and choosing your collar and cuff style, lining, trim and closures. You can specify your outer fabric, lining, trim, length, sleeve length, collar and closure, and on several styles we can add or subtract width at the bust, shoulder and hip. See bespoke coats and clothing.

Is bespoke more expensive?

No. One of the great benefits of making by hand is that we can offer a bespoke service at the same cost as our ready to wear alternatives. Additional charges arise only when extra materials or labour are involved; we pass these on at cost and always confirm your price upfront.

How long does a bespoke or made to order coat take?

Our bespoke and made to order coats are delivered within three weeks. If you use a toile first, allow a little longer.

What sizes do you make?

Our standard sizes run from UK 6 to 20. If our house sizes don’t suit you, we can make a coat longer or shorter, or with different bust, waist, shoulder, hip and arm measurements. Please email us at info@ednerat.com with the style, fabric and size you are interested in and the measurements you would like adapted. See our size guide.

How do I find my size?

Our size guide gives the measurements of the garments themselves, not your body, and a thicker or more structured fabric makes a slightly smaller coat than a lighter one. If you are unsure, you can visit us in Wales, book a video consultation, join us at a pop-up, book an in-person appointment at home, try a toile, or just get in touch.

What is a toile?

A toile is a calico mock-up of a coat, used to check fit before the real thing is made. For a £50 fee, refundable against your first order, we will send you a toile in the size and style of your choice, with your selected fabric swatches and a return label. You have five days to try it on, and can request a second toile if you need one. If you decide not to order, we refund your deposit, minus postage. See toiles and fittings.

Can I have a fitting at home?

Yes. In-person appointments at your home start at £100 plus travel charged at cost. You can also book a video consultation, or visit our shop in Abergavenny.

Do you offer alterations and repairs?

Yes. Because we make by hand in London, we can offer repairs and alterations to give your coat fresh life when it needs it. We also offer one free modification on every bespoke coat: contact us within 14 days of receiving it with the alterations you would like.

Larger sizes

I need a coat in size 24. Can you help?

Yes, we would be delighted to make up a coat for you. We will make a bespoke sized coat for you, and this will require an in-person fitting, either at our shop in Abergavenny or at your home (home appointments start at £100 plus travel at cost). Rest assured that while we don’t carry standard sizing in size 24, we are more than happy to make coats up in the size you need, in any of our styles and fabrics. Please get in touch to arrange a fitting.

Do you make coats for a fuller bust?

Yes. Our A-line and hourglass styles each come in two bust fittings: up to a B cup, and C cup and above. If you need further adjustments, our bespoke sizing can help.

Petite sizes

Do you make petite coats?

Yes. We don’t carry standard petite sizing, but because we make by hand we can make any of our coats to your measurements, and length is the first thing we adjust. We can shorten the body of the coat and the sleeve length, and adjust the shoulder, bust, waist, hip and arm measurements, so that the coat fits a petite frame properly.

Can you shorten the length of a coat?

Yes. Length is one of the things we adjust most often. Tell us where you would like the hem to fall, whether just above or below the knee, or mid-calf, and we will make the coat to that length. The same goes for sleeve length. A coat is a matter of proportion, and getting the hem and the sleeve in the right place makes more difference to how a coat looks on a petite woman than almost anything else.

What can you adjust for a petite frame?

Coat length, sleeve length and the width at the shoulder, bust, waist, hip and arm. On several of our styles we can also add or subtract width at the bust, shoulder and hip. Your fabric, lining, trim and closures are chosen exactly as they would be for any other coat. See what bespoke means at EdNerat.

How do I choose the right length?

Please email us at info@ednerat.com with the style and fabric you are interested in, your height, and where you would like the hem and sleeves to fall. If you can, send us the measurements of a coat you already love the length of. We can then confirm what is possible and suggest the best proportions for the style. It is best to be absolutely certain and we would suggest you come and see us before ordering to try the styles on in person.

Will a petite coat cost more?

This is very unlikely. Our bespoke pieces are priced from our ready to wear alternatives, and we only raise additional charges where extra materials or labour are involved. We always confirm your price upfront before you proceed.

What if the length isn’t right when it arrives?

We offer one free modification on every bespoke coat: contact us within 14 days of receiving it with the alterations you would like. This said, we cannot lengthen or let out a coat once it has been made, so we strongly recommend meeting with us at the outset, for a fitting or ordering a toile. Bespoke coats are non-returnable.

Do you make petite dresses, skirts and jackets?

Our bespoke service applies to our dresses, skirts, jackets and skirt suits as well as our coats, so we can adjust lengths and sleeves across the range. Please get in touch with the style you have in mind.

Ordering

What is the difference between ready to wear, made to order and bespoke?

Ready to wear coats are made and ready to ship. Made to order coats are made for you in the style and fabric combinations we offer. Bespoke coats are adapted to your own requirements, from fabric, lining and trim to length, sleeve and width. Browse ready to ship and made to order.

How do I order a bespoke coat?

If you would like a style or size adjusted, please email or call us first to tell us what you would like changed. We will confirm any extra charges before you proceed. For bespoke and made to order coats, we ask for payment in full before ordering the fabric and cutting and making your coat.

Do you sell gift vouchers?

Yes – we have some very lovely kraft cardboard, gilt-edged gift cards which make fantastic presents. We also have digital gift vouchers which we have made as beautiful as we can. See our gift vouchers.

Accessories

What accessories do you make?

Scarves, bags, lavender bags, padded coat hangers, hairbands and belts. All our garments are handmade in London. Our accessories are handmade in Wales and Somerset by a small group of talented makers that we work with, and our belts are handmade in Herefordshire.

Who makes your accessories?

Our belts are made by Emma in Herefordshire and our padded coat hangers by Anne in Risca, in South Wales. Our hairbands are made by Vanessa Rose in Somerset. Our lavender bags are made by Gail in Monmouthshire and our bags and scarves by Yulia in Abergavenny.

Are your accessories made from offcuts?

Yes. Our padded coat hangers, hairbands, bags and lavender bags are made from the cut-offs from our coats and jackets, so the fabrics are the same fine British textiles. Nothing is thrown away. Our padded hangers also double as a zero waste swatch book: each is covered in a fabric we use.

Where can I see or buy your accessories?

Visit our shop in Abergavenny, or get in touch and we will tell you what is available.

Caring for your coat

How do I clean an EdNerat coat?

All EdNerat coats should be dry cleaned. Please do not machine wash or hand wash them.

Why do coats have to be dry cleaned?

For two reasons: the cloth and the tailoring. Depending on the cloth, it may lose its shape, change in handle or shrink when washed in water. More to the point, our coats are tailored, not casual garments. Their shape comes from careful construction, and tailoring is never washed. Dry cleaning protects both the cloth and the fit.

Do I need to dry clean my coat after every wear?

No. Always hang your coat after wearing it to keep its shape. Between wears, air it on a hanger in a well-ventilated room, brush it with a soft clothes brush to lift dust and surface dirt. On our wool coats you can sponge any small marks lightly with a clean damp cloth. Dry clean only when it really needs it, such as at the end of the season or after heavier soiling. Over-cleaning will shorten the life of any garment. In the drier months, take the opportunity to air your wool coats outside – taking care not to leave them in the glare of the sun.

How should I store my coat?

Hang it on a well-shaped hanger, give it room, and keep it somewhere dry and airy. Always make sure you have protected against moths.

Delivery and returns

Do you offer free delivery?

UK delivery is free on orders over £500; orders under £500 are charged at cost. We ship to the UK and mainland Spain, and elsewhere by arrangement. Orders are sent by signed-for DHL or Royal Mail next day delivery, in recycled, fully compostable packaging. See shipping and returns.

What is your returns policy?

We send each coat with a ribbon looped through the collar and joined at the front with a wax seal. Please try your coat on before breaking the seal. You can return a coat within 14 days if the seal and ribbon are intact and it is unworn, unwashed and has all its protective materials. We will refund you as soon as we have received and inspected it, and within 14 days at the latest. Bespoke items that have been customised or adapted to your requirements are non-returnable.

Visiting our shop

Where is the EdNerat shop?

Our shop is at Number 16 Cross Street, Abergavenny NP7 5EW, in the foothills of the Brecon Beacons, next to the Angel Hotel. It is a 10 to 15 minute walk from the railway station, with parking nearby, about an hour from Bath and three hours from London.

When is the shop open?

We are open from 9.30 to 4.30 on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, and by appointment at other times. If you are travelling to visit us for a fitting, please get in touch first so we can book you in.

EdNerat and Weskit

How does EdNerat relate to Weskit?

Weskit is our sister maker of waistcoats and gilets. It began with the offcuts from our coats and the expert skills of our London makers, and its waistcoats and gilets are cut, made and finished by hand in London by Musa Apparel.