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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Katie Fitzpatrick

My family wore matching coats that cost a little more than Primark but made us feel like celebs

When it comes to pooch couture, our bulldog Bella has never been shy in the style stakes. She has a 'pawdrobe' with almost every colour of the rainbow for all seasons.

Snuggly jumpers, cosy coats and an array of matching leads and collars, her collection includes a watermelon patterned collar for the summer and a Christmas one in blush pink to match the lounge. And that’s before I’ve even started on her bandana collection, including a chic grey and black flower patterned scarf from The Real Housewives of Cheshire star Lauren Simon’s Number One Pooch range.

Another striking look in her tail-wagging wardrobe is her vibrant neon orange and pink made-to-measure muzzle which cost us hundreds to fit her smushy bulldog face and was shipped over from Austria. She has waterproof raincoats and a red belted one that makes us laugh because it looks like Hayley Cropper from Corrie’s famous anorak.

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Bella probably has more walking outfits than my husband and I. We tend to just head out the door in our workout clothes under an old jacket that we don’t mind getting muddy or stuffing with dog treats in the pockets.

So it was time to treat ourselves to a winter wardrobe update while taking on the colder weather in style. Inspired by former Emmerdale star Adam Thomas and his family, we picked his-and-her black longline puffer coats from their own collection for Threadbare so we can look stylish and matching, because why not?

The Thomas family in their coats (Threadbare)

Even better, the Thomas Family Favourites edit, as modelled by former I’m A Celebrity winner Adam, his stunning wife Caroline and their adorable children Teddy and Elsie, also has a 'Threadpaw' version for your pet pooch.

It comes in small, medium and large with a signature logo on the back. And inside is a helpful label where you can write 'my owner' details.

With zig zag chevron padding, the human coats have a full zip fastening, microfleece-lined hoods with bungee cords, and two fleece-lined pockets, finished with a Threadbare badge on the left arm - and it feels like you’re enveloped in a duvet. Forget going for walkies, I wanted to curl up and go to sleep.

Toasty and warm in the puffer coats (Sean Hansford/Manchester Evening News)

With soaring energy costs, I'm seriously considering wearing mine now around the house until at least March. And the best thing is that it looks designer but costs only a little more than a similar coat from Primark at £38.

The women's one, which comes in sizes 8 to 16, costs £59.99. And the men's, which comes in small to XXL, is £64.99.

And if you're thinking of treating the kids too, the boys' version for ages 5-6 to 11-12, costs £44.99 and the girls' coat, for the same age ranges, is £41.99. As well as feeling seriously good quality, Threadbare and the Thomas family are supporting the Alder Hey Children's Charity, with 20-per-cent of profits from these coats, which comes in black and khaki, being donated.

Bella's coat is a pawfect addition to her wardrobe (Manchester Evening News)

Heading out on a drizzly autumn morning, they instantly passed the waterproof test with beads of rain staying put on the outside of the fabric, so I made a rare decision to ditch my umbrella. I'm only 4ft11 so was worried about the sizing, but I was pleased to find the size 8 coat covered down to my shins without swamping me and restricting my movement.

They kept us all toasty warm and dry throughout our walk and any spots of mud, and inevitable dog drool, were easily wiped-off with a damp cloth. We might have balked at the idea of matching before but the Thomas family have shown us the way to go this winter.

You can buy a coat from the Thomas Family Favourites here.

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