Blanket coverage: why we'll all be wrapping it up come autumn

While fashion is, for the most part, a revolutionary beast, it does occasionally succeed in spitting out something that makes us all feel cosy inside. Next season’s infatuation with the blanket serves as a killer example of such a phenomenon.

Not because it’s different — there is, after all, little that’s subversive about wrapping yourself up in your nana’s old blanket — but because its arrival among the fashion sphere has cheered us all up. Bringing with it a new (or at least new to this decade) way to wrap up against the chill, the luxury blanket — let’s call it the “it” blanket before somebody else does — is set to become autumn/winter’s most covetable accessory.

The current plaything of Burberry’s Christopher Bailey, who debuted his modern take on cold- weather dressing during the men’s autumn/winter shows back in January, as well as a favourite with Christian Dior’s creative director, Raf Simons, who included blankets in punchy neon shades in his latest womenswear show, the blanket is a revised version of the 19th- century outerwear cape. Although you’d (just about) be forgiven for thinking that Bailey and Simons had taken inspiration from the healing powers of the Slanket (aka 2011’s most-wanted Christmas present) when coming up with their latest offerings.

Bailey continued his love affair with the cape in his womenswear collection too, this time taking inspiration from equestrian blankets to create a series of ponchos. Crafted for Burberry by Scottish cashmere supremo Johnstons of Elgin, the blankets — which for £200 can be personalised with your initials (how decadent) — are a favourite with Burberry front-girls Cara Delevingne and Suki Waterhouse, as well as Olivia Palermo, who was recently photographed snuggling up in one. This posh swaddle is a privilege you’re welcome to enjoy with them, provided you’ve got the £895 required to get your hands on one of Burberry’s finest.

Of course, if you’re short on spondoolies, there are other options. After all, the joy of an outfit that requires only wrapping up in a blanket before heading for the door surely has to be its accessibility.

To wrap up in style this autumn, take a leaf from Kate Moss, who was recently seen swaddled in a mustard-and-orange striped blanket that may well have been borrowed from the back of her own sofa, or invest in a more affordable example from one of the many respected cashmere labels. A cashmere picnic blanket in an earthy shade (try Brora or Johnstons) will make for a reasonable interpretation of Bailey and Simons’s vision, while those on the hunt for something more stylish should check out chic lifestyle site Godwin Vaughan, which offers stunning Geelong wool blankets as part of a collaboration with graphics and illustration outfit Stinsensqueeze. Yes, please.