Dressing for autumn can feel so easy: Just grab a great blouse, your favorite pair of jeans and some cute ankle booties and you’re all set. Bring a classic cardigan along on a breezy day to keep the chill at bay and add a chic layer. Et voilà: instant style.
If only winter was that simple!
Real life in Colorado means dressing for the weather, and in the winter it gets cold. The wild temperature swings and unexpected snow squalls require some serious layering to stay comfortable and ready for anything. Luckily, a great winter coat is another opportunity to express your signature style.
Elevate your winter style quotient with these fantastic outerwear options. Style is in the details, and these coats deliver in spades:
Day Coat
A knee-length day coat is a must-have piece that crosses easily from a day at work to an evening out. J. Crew’s Lady Day Coat is the best example, and it’s a perennial favorite thanks to their annually rotating array of bright colors. The details that matter here are flattering princess seams and a sewn-in waistband that creates a feminine silhouette without adding bulk. A similar — though slightly less tailored — look can be had in a bold plaid with Banana Republic’s Plaid Three-Button Tailored Coat. This year’s big color is a sunny yellow, but any shade that makes you happy can become your personal color of the season. With such gorgeous options available, it would be a shame to default to black!
Trench Coat
For a slightly more casual but equally classic jacket, a modern trench coat goes with just about anything except a few of your most formal outfits. A great trench features a well-proportioned collar that you can turn up against the wind and a belt to tie around your waist and give shape to your look. Michael Kors offers an updated wool version for winter in the Asymmetrical Belted Walker Coat. This coat features zippered pockets and some extra top stitching for interest. For a sporty take on the trench, try the Apex Bionic Grace Jacket by the North Face. Like any trench, it includes a belt and clean lines, but this version is made for performance with the signature fleece fabric that keeps you warm in any weather.
Pea Coat
If you prefer a shorter coat to pair with jeans and other pants, a wool pea coat can add some polish to more casual outfits. Based on the classic coat used by seamen in the Navy, the secret to making this look work for women is in a tailored waist and carefully placed buttons. The Fleurette Wool Peacoat is a great example of how the right details can make a look succeed: Decorative stitching on the pockets and cuffs and extra-large buttons add interest to the go-with-anything color.
Ski Coat
For outdoor fun, a warm ski jacket is a requirement — no Rocky Mountain wardrobe could be complete without one. Luckily, you don’t have to sacrifice style for warmth if you choose a ski coat with great tailoring. The North Face’s Thermoball Full-Zip Jacket is an excellent choice. Its nipped-in waist and strategically placed top-stitching take the quilted coat to a whole new level by creating a slimming look with the quilted lines. Best of all, this ski coat comes in 18 different colors, offering you the chance to create a signature outdoor look for the season. Outerwear is a great way to make a bold color statement without having to retool your whole wardrobe.
Style is in the details, and these coats deliver in spades. We love hearing from you. Do share with us in the comments your most loved coat!