Hi friends!
Happy Tuesday— I’ve seen a lot of posts about snow and dropping temperatures, so I hope you’re staying warm out there!
That’s why I will always love a coat— they’re so chic, classic, and practical. Getting to wear coats was something I really looked forward to when I was looking at moving to a colder climate! They’re an accessory to any outfit and really act as a statement piece in the winter when otherwise you might get lost in a sea of black puffer coats, although there’s nothing wrong with a black puffer coat…
I was tempted to change the focus of this post from what I wanted to talk about (coats) to what I felt like people wanted to hear about (Cyber Monday/Week sales), but anyone who follows me on social media knows I’ve been pretty quiet post-Thanksgiving in the midst of all of the Black Friday/Cyber Week sales.
It’s not that I don’t like the sales… because I love a deal; rather, it’s knowing that these sales are just for show and aren’t very good price-wise (Liza Belmonte pointed out in her most recent Substack article the 3-4x markup that you will experience because of holidays like Black Friday and Cyber Monday), and that, quite honestly I don’t need a lot of these items on sale (see: Allison Bornstein’s reminder on Instagram). With all that in mind, I started thinking about how to write about things I liked in the fashion world without being beholden to the sales and deals that are constantly bombarding us…
So today, I wanted to talk about a key piece of any wardrobe: jackets and coats.
There are a few staple styles to consider when you’re buying a coat, and that’s where I want to focus. Once you have these silhouettes in mind, you can add different textures, materials (like sequins, fun buttons, zippers, etc.), or prints into the mix to make them your own!
Keeping warm is essential when the temperatures start to dip, and these two styles will definitely keep you warm if you buy them in 100% wool.
– The Black Wrap Coat: I love a wrap coat, and although navy is usually my go-to, black is undoubtedly a statement. It’s chic, sophisticated, and classic. You can dress it up over an LBD, dress it down over a gym set, and dress it anywhere in between! This one from MaxMara would be a splurge, but this one from Gentle Herd is a 100% wool option that looks incredibly chic.
– The Button-Front Coat: This might look like the same coat idea, but I assure you it’s not! These button-front coats have a little bit more shape and structure, so I really like them when I want something that has a straighter line or a more formal fit. I am obsessed with this coat from Veronica Beard; this one from Barbour would be a good mid-tier buy, or try this one from Reformation in a gorgeous plaid!
Now, the following options aren’t as material-conscious, meaning some synthetics may be thrown in, but that’s not bad! Especially in mid-months, like autumn, you may find 100% wool to be too warm and therefore need something a little lighter OR on the flip side, you might want something that really snuggles you in, and layered up is extra cozy. Below are two silhouettes I think will do just that.
– The Wool (or wool-blend) Blazer: I’m a huge blazer girl in theory, but working from home I never reach for them! This season, I’m definitely trying to add a couple of them back into my rotation. Try this one from Reformation in a gorgeous warm plaid, a classic double-breasted wool version from the queen of French chic Sezane, or this gorgeous herringbone pattern option from Banana Republic.
– The Faux Fur/Shearling Crop: You might be thinking that there is no way this is a classic silhouette, but I’d beg to differ. When I see these shapes, all I can think about are 80s pilots, the infamous Ike jacket, and 1950s starlets galavanting around the Hollywood hills! They might feel like juxtaposing ideas; however, a similar shape echoes between them. This chocolate brown fur one from Sandro looks absolutely luxe! Try this one from GAP (in black) for an affordable option that no one would know didn’t cost a fortune! An aviator jacket from Banana Republic might cost the same as your rent (honestly, you’d be better off buying a vintage one on Etsy), or you could nab this one for less than $100.
Happy styling, friends!
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