Cold days are not created equal, so I really enjoy having a coat (okay, more like 10) for every 10-degree temperature drop–from mild mid-60s weather to below-freezing conditions.
—————————– FIELD JACKET —————————–
Field jackets are historically made of wind-resistant, water-repellent, treated cotton. In the warmer periods of transitional weather, this jacket adds a touch of insouciance to any outfit, and can be styled with more feminine pieces to highlight that contrast.
For this temperature range, you can also consider a denim jacket instead of a field jacket:
—————————– TRENCH COAT —————————–
I am a trench fiend so own a dozen iterations of this beige classic. It never goes out of style, and breathes an air of refinement into every outfit you wear it with.
If you need something more practical, consider a hooded cotton (or cotton-blend) rain jacket, which usually has the same weight as a gabardine trench, but the clear coating and taped seams offer water-resistant coverage.
—————————– WOOL COAT —————————–
I consider tailored wool coats the cool weather counterpart to cotton trench coats. It effortlessly pulls together even the most haphazard of outfits and lends them a varnished quality.
—————————– FUR COAT —————————–
Faux fur coats have come a long way since its matted beginning, and even faux fur at lower price points now rival the softness and plushness of genuine fur. I like the loosely-fitted silhouettes of most fur coats, even if that meant needing to fortify the look with warm baselayers.
—————————– PUFFER —————————–
Puffers have long been unfairly maligned: from insulting comparisons to garbage bags to explicit references to Bib(endum). But puffers are not necessarily bulbous, and the right ones can provide warmth without evoking unfavorable associations.
—————————– DOWN PARKA —————————–
To endure the most brutal of winters, a down parka is a must. Look for ones with high fill power and an outershell that has been treated for water-repellence and wind-resistance. Do consider ones with flair–like a fur trimmed hood–for extra style points.
Lastly, no jacket is an island: when the weather cools, you will need more than just a very warm jacket:
Hi, the three people to whom I promised this post more than a year ago: I am sorry it’s taken me this long to put something together. And for others to whom I’ve also promised content, I assure you they are in the works, but are uncompleted for reasons, some of which are legitimate.
And a quick look ahead: I have two outfit posts, two sale posts, and a weekly link roundup scheduled for the next seven days. The obligatory year-in-review posts will be published in the last two days of the year. I will also attempt to put IG stories to use, so follow me on Instagram for some random sale tidbits.
For those of you who are traveling this weekend, safe travels!
