11 Coats to Survive Your Cold City
- clairemariekalletta
- Dec 5, 2018
- 6 min read
I believe you can never have too many coats, especially when living in a chilly city. There have been numerous times where I put together a perfect ensemble only to be ruined by realizing none of my coats fit the occasion, matched the outfit, or just didn't fit the vision I had in mind. In college I had the luxury of having access to a handful of closets, but since graduating I have slowly started to build up my coat collection. From commuting to work to going out at night - the thousands of fashionable Manhattan women surrounding me everyday and the celebrities I stalk on instagram have helped me pinpoint what seem to be the essential city coat and for that I am I eternally grateful.
Black Wool Coat
If you have to dress up for work, having a black wool coat is essential. You can never go wrong with black when trying to look crisp and put together, plus wool coats are super warm, comfortable, and look cute worn open on those random 55 degree Winter days. I got mine from J.Crew and was unfazed to find they totally agree with me and named it the"City Coat."
Classic Long Cashmere Trench Coat
When it comes to outerwear elegance the classic camel cashmere coat takes the cake. This style is timeless, exceptionally warm, and can be worn over jeans and a tee or a formal gown. The tie-waist belt and beautiful neutral color also make the look super feminine and flattering while remaining simple and sophisticated. Mine is 100% cashmere and was gifted to me by my grandma when I moved out and entered the workforce (yikes). Before writing this I didn't realize a 100% cashmere trench coat is hard to find as most brands sell cashmere-wool blends but I was able to find this one from Ralph Lauren.
Waxed Jacket
Popular in England due to its rainy weather, the waxed jacket has been a closet staple in closets overseas for hundreds of years. Waxed cotton is 100% water resistant and keeps you warm and dry - perfect for avid travelers and those who don't let the weather keep you them exploring (even if exploring means 2 minutes down the street to Sweet Green). It's also perfect for those of us living in a city that faces totally unpredictable weather and have weathermen who rarely seem to get it 100% right. These jackets can also last an extremely long time when taken care of properly. Mine is a long Barbour waxed cotton parka jacket, which I find myself wearing more than any other jacket from early fall to late spring. It's casual color but feminine fit allow me to dress it up or down, which would make it a great day to night piece if I actually got invited places.
Polar Bear Parka
Since the leaves started turning faux fur jackets of all shades and styles have flooded the streets of the city. These coats are the perfect way to make a statement that says "idc" while staying warm and cozy. My prom dress is probably the only thing in my closet that makes me feel as glamorous as my big, obnoxious fluffy coat. These coats are everywhere in a ton of prints, colors, and textures but if you're gonna buy just one I recommend going with white, black, or brown to match everything and get that full (claire)bear effect. I underestimated the power of the fur coat so I got mine on sale in the juniors section of TJ Maxx, thinking I would only wear it on nights out. I've worn it more than any other coat so far this season and it was only $30 - I found the exact one I have on amazon and I'm upset because I could have bought it from my bed for $1.18 less.
Tweed Jacket
A perfect fabric for transitioning into and out of the frigid winter is tweed. It can be worn with jeans or over a business suit, instantly giving off a more put-together, polished look. Popular in the business-casual work environment, tweed brings a tasteful yet easygoing spin to the classic suit jacket without sacrificing sophistication.
The various patterns and colors of tweed focus on blending fun with formal, making tweed a great topper to any brunch, dinner party, or holiday outfit. The material to me says "I'm successful but I don't take myself too seriously." It's also the perfect pick to ensure you aren't too overdressed or undressed for an occasion you're unsure about. Mine is from Banana Republic - it's not on sale anymore but I linked a similar style I found at Nordstrom.
Bright Statement Coat
As the weather keeps getting colder we are tested on what extent we let the weather affect our moods. It's not easy to feel bright, sunny, and simply awake when the skies are dark gray and it hasn't been above 40 for weeks. Now that the time has changed, many of us are commuting to work before the sun comes up and leaving after it goes down, being exposed to nothing but a dark gloomy city. Like your favorite under eye concealer, putting on a bright hued coat can instantly make you look and feel more alive during the harsh winter months. Pair with a large coffee (or 4) and you're ready to take on the day in a happier, better-looking mood. It's also a good tool to spice up neutral work outfits. Bright statement coats are flooding stores, so you can probably get your hands on whatever color is bright enough to wake you up and get you out of bed in the morning. I picked yellow because before five cups of coffee I'm the farthest thing from a
little ray of sunshine.
Fur Lined Biker Jacket
Imagine your fierce black leather jacket's had a more approachable, heartwarming little sister - that's basically how to describe the fur lined biker jackets I'm seeing everywhere. This jacket is perfect for nights out when you would have usually worn a thin leather jacket over a cute crop top if it wasn't under 30 outside. These jackets put a toasty twist to the leather jacket and due to its friendly fuzziness I've deemed mine appropriate for daytime occasions I would have never broke my black leather jacket out for. Because my style sadly doesn't read HBIC and I struggle to pull off winged eyeliner I have yet to invest in a quality leather jacket, nonetheless one lined with fur. Therefore I saved and bought this red one in the kids section at Zara and if you're normal height they have the exact same one in the women's section (for like $50 more). It's warm, fits me, and reminds me of Santa Claus. Could I ask for more in a winter coat?
Cozy Corduroy Coat
Before this Fall we thought the corduroy trend was reserved solely for high school history teachers and infant overalls, only readily found in thrift shops and as addition to hippie costumes at Party City. Now, corduroy is making a comeback in both mens and women's fashion and is popping up everywhere. Brands are going a bit corduroy crazy, producing corduroy hair accessories, bags, and baseball hats and jackets, overalls, and skirts in every color under the sun. To ensure the trend didn't get left behind with Fall, the fur lined corduroy jacket became a thing and I'm all for it. Corduroy is really thick which makes it a fabulous insulator alone - and it gets even better when paired with a fuzzy lining. These jackets are also super lightweight but surprisingly warm. I got mine from Forever 21 and honestly want to go back and get it in every color because it's so comfy.
Quilted Jacket
Quilted jackets come in many different materials and colors, but the classic and most popular quilted jackets are made with a shiny puffer material. These jackets are weather resistant and although they may not be as warm as a parka they still flick off the snow and rain. These jackets are perfect for the warmer winter days or for outings and events where your body consuming parka may seem a bit out of place. In any color, quilting, or length these coats can instantly bring a touch of elegance to any ensemble. I love these coats because they are probably the most versatile jacket on the list and they're not too dressy, not too warm, and not too stand-outish. The quilted jacket can be deemed as sporty or sophisticated depending on what you pair it with, which is why if you're going to purchase anything on this list I suggest this one. Although it may not be as fun or stylish as the others, you will definitely get the most bang for your buck. Mine is an ivory one I got at J.Crew sophomore year of college and I still find myself pulling it out of my closet when I'm clueless on what to wear. It's basically a less-cute version of this Burberry one I found online.
Parka / Down Jacket
A big, trash-bag-like parka is the most crucial chilly city essential. If you're anywhere where it gets under 20 you won't regret investing in a quality down jacket. They might not be as flattering and chic as other coats in your closet but they will be there for you through thick (piles of snow) and thin. The known insulation and durability of a parka makes it an acceptable and respectable topper to wear to any occasion if the weather calls for it. I am still questioning how I have made it to December without one, but luckily we haven't seen any big storms yet. These heavy-duty jackets come with a heavy-duty price tag, which is why I am making it the one and only item on this year's Christmas list.
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