The DictatorThe best shiny trench coats for autumn – where to find them

The Dictator rules: I join thousands of readers in asking, what do you plan to do in it? Ugh! Don’t answer that!

Many autumn-winter 2017 items, especially coats, are still in the pre-order phase and won’t land in stores for a while, so go online. Make a statement in Gareth Pugh’s dramatic, over­sized patent-leather trench coat from his new collection (HK$38,608; luisaviaroma.com). New from Turkish designer Zeynep Arcay is a patent black lambskin trench coat with brass buttons (HK$32,038; fwrd.com). Stand out from the crowd with Calvin Klein’s double-breasted Wall Street Overcoat in glen checked wool with removable plastic overlay from the 205W39NYC collection by Raf Simons (available for pre-order, HK$28,500; calvinklein.com).

Go with an exotic skin, such as the lux­urious glossed snake and croco­dile trench coat by Attico (HK$17,710; Net-a-Porter), a brand founded by street-style stars Gilda Ambrosio and Giorgia Tordini.

For a bit of colour, Tibi’s patent-coated virgin-wool trench comes in a wine hue it’s calling Rouge (HK$10,119; tibi.com). Hot Parisian label Wanda Nylon uses a burgundy textured vinyl (trust me, it’s what you want) on a funnel-necked, coat-like dress (HK$6,845; Net-a-Porter).

In saving mode after the summer holidays? Since glossy trenches were around last season, too, you can pick up deals from brands such as Marni, The Row, MM6 Maison Margiela and Prada. Otherwise, Topshop comes to the budget-buy rescue with its black Clean Vinyl Trench Coat (HK$1,118; topshop.com).