Bundle Up

Jacket season is done. It’s officially coat season. I always get the question from clients about one coat for the season. Can there be one coat that can do it all? If you get a dressier pea coat, this is the closest you can get to a do-it-all option. Although my wardrobe philosophy is to have the pieces you own work for you in multiple facets of your life…I recommend (if your budget permits) getting a wool coat that can be dressed up and then a parka or puffy coat for casual wear.

For ladies, try something unexpected for your wool coat. Instead of black or grey, go for a white (gasp!), red (love this red one too), or cobalt blue (Ann Taylor has a great one for under $200 here).

Instead of a puffy coat this year, I am loving the military trend and all the anoraks and parkas that come with it. Steven Alan and Asos and Need Supply Co. offer some worthy options. Personally, I am lusting after this Raija Parker one also at Need Supply Co.

My favorite places/brands for coats are Zara ($100-$200) for edgier details at reasonable prices and J.Crew ($200-$400) for dependable, classic silhouettes in great colors. And if I just so happen to have a grand or so to drop (who doesn’t right?), Burberry and Helmut Lang.

For more coat options, check out Lucky Magazine’s winter roundup.

For guys, you need a topcoat for dressier occasions and a field jacket or parka for casual (I like peacoats on guys too, but if given a choice, I opt for the more rugged field jacket style).

For the topcoat, go for the 3/4 length and some texture like this J. Crew herringbone coat or a double-breasted style like this Banana Republic option (pictured above).

For casual wear, this Carson Field Jacket at Need Supply Co. pretty much nails it. Other great options include Scotch & Soda’s wax cotton and LL Bean Signature’s parka.

For more coat options, check out GQ’s list of 10 best coats this winter.

Next up? Hats of course…