I can’t believe next week is the start of November. Where has this year gone? That means in the vast majority of the country, temperatures are dropping and we are starting to bundle up. Well, everywhere except Phoenix and Southern California, where it is supposed to be in the 80’s for the next week. Even though I’m not planning to wear a winter coat any time soon, don’t pretend I’m not keeping an eye on coat styles. I have some serious coat envy every time I scroll through Facebook and see my friends sporting a cute jacket.
Now I’ll be honest. Since I moved to AZ over 5 years ago, I have not purchased a new coat. Coats are investment pieces and are meant to last you a long time. I have closet full of heavy winter coats from growing up in Ohio that only gets touched when I travel. And because my suitcase never has extra room (#overpacker), I can only travel with the coat on my back. I tend to gravitate toward a basic style in a neutral color because they match with everything. However, if you have the whole neutral coat thing covered, it doesn’t get much better than a fun pattern or color for winter outerwear.
Here are my picks for winter coats. And to clarify, I’m not talking about light jackets. I’m talking about bundle up coats so you can avoid freezing your a$$ off.
LOFT has 40% off almost everything right now, including outerwear, through 10/29. They pretty much have a sale going on every single day, but outerwear is typically excluded, so this huge. I love the look of this striped cocoon coat. Apparently the big sweater trend is making its way over to coats, too. I love that this one has a hood to keep your noggin warm when it gets windy or snowy. It goes down to $112.80 (originally $188) using promo code SWEET, which is an awesome price for a coat. However, all the reviews say it runs huge, large and giant. Make sure to size down a size or two if you can. If you are little to begin with, this might not be the coat for you.
Leather motorcycle jackets are still in this year. Admittedly, you probably don’t want to shovel snow off your driveway wearing this one, but with a hat and a scarf, it will keep you warm for most of your winter activities (aka, not skiing, but running to and from your car). Leather jackets are never cheap, though. This one is from Madewell and it is $498. Spendy, but this is a timeless look. If I owned a leather jacket like this, I’m sure I’d be instantly cooler as soon as I put it on.
This wool day coat with Thinsulate from J. Crew has been around for ages, and for a very good reason. It is everything you want in a winter coat. It is a classic style that is perfect for work or throwing over a dressy-ish outfit. It comes in 11 colors to keep things exciting, looks perfect with a scarf tied over the top, it is available in regular, tall and petite lengths, and it features Thinsulate, which is extra insulation to keep you extra warm. I have this coat in kelly green, black and off white from years and years ago and it is a keeper. The off white did discolor over time, but it doesn’t look like J. Crew is offering that color anymore anyways. I personally would choose the red or navy if I had to pick a new one today. The best part: it is 25% off right now with code FALLSALE making it $273.75.
I was really impressed with Gap’s coat selection this year. Their available colors were on point and the styles were tried and true classics. I love this camel trench coat (also available in charcoal) because the tie around the waist can help you from feeling like your coat is eating you alive. Winter doesn’t mean you have to totally hide your figure.
The long blazer-style coat is available in light grey or blue, which to me, looks like it is meant to be worn with a scarf. Both the light grey and blue color options are slightly more interesting than your standard neutrals.
Both coats were $218 originally, but are 35% off (making them $141.70) with code HOLIDAY or 40% off (making them $130.80) for cardholders with code FESTIVE.
If I was going to splurge on a new coat this year, I think it would be this Gap down puffer jacket. I personally love the puffer coat style. I feel like the faux fur dresses it up enough to wear to work, but it is casual enough to wear everyday. The grey color is pretty much my perfect grey and would match with almost every scarf out there. With a Gap/Old Navy/ Banana card, it comes down to $118.80 or $128.70 without the card. The price tag isn’t a bank-breaker, and the down inside is sure to keep you warm.
I love, love, love (I’d probably add a few more love’s here, but that would be borderline obnoxious) this trimmed alpine coat from Anthropologie. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone attempt to add faux fur at the bottom quite like this one, but it is done so perfectly. Sigh, if only I had an extra $398 laying around to purchase this beauty. Or really, a place to wear it.
Nordstrom has a great sale going on right now on this Michael Kors down puffer jacket in red (also available in navy). It is 40% off bringing it down to $149.90 (originally $258). I actually prefer the slightly longer length on the Gap puffer coat, but the color of this one is gorgeous. And you had me at 40% off.
Finally, if you are looking for the mac daddy of winter coats, I recommend this Patagonia three-in-one parka. I actually think it might be impossible to be cold wearing this bad boy. The puffer liner zips out, which means you can wear the liner on its own, the outer jacket, or zip them together for maximum warmth. Who doesn’t love options? I think I just started sweating thinking about all those layers. It comes in four colors: black, grey/silver, grey/red and blue. I actually think the outer layer is basic enough that it would be totally acceptable to wear to work, especially if you went with the black. It will cost you to be that warm ($429), but Mr. Jack Frost won’t be making you shiver come winter.
Have you splurged on a new winter coat yet this year? Any other great ones out there that I missed?
