The Coat Guide

When I went to Georgetown, I did not have the proper coats. I thought I did, but it wasn’t until I was living in NYC and wearing coats that actually kept me warm that I realized I had been doing it all wrong. When you go from Florida to the “north” (I know DC isn’t technically the north), the weather is quite the culture shock. I don’t think people who grew up in cold climates even realize that there is a skill for dressing in cold weather. When you grow up with it, you just know what to wear. When you grew up somewhere where boots are worn are 70 degree days, you do not.

I shiver just thinking about the “puffer” coat I had to keep me warm on the coldest days. It was NOT warm enough, but I just assumed, “well, of course, I’m cold, it’s cold out!” For four years!

Maybe it’s because I never got to go coat shopping in Florida or because I know what it’s like to not be appropriately dressed… I’m now pretty obsessed with having a coat closet filled with options for the winter. (Read: I have entirely too many coats.)

There is a coat for every temperature and type of weather. Right around this time is when I start getting emails from girls (and moms) who have moved to colder climates about what coats to buy. Instead of going through my huge collection of coats (and, um, it’s a collection), I thought I’d share my top four favorites and why I recommend them.

HOODED PUFFER // I found this coat on major sale after eyeing it for months two winters ago. It’s worth purchasing at full price though because it’s that good. It’s comfortable and easy to wear. Almost everyone in Connecticut seems to have it too, and I can see why. I find myself wearing it throughout winter and into spring, too. The best part is how packable it is– I squeeze it into the tiniest nook within my suitcase. On warmer days, I’ve even skied in it too.

PUFFER PARKA // This is the coat I resisted for years and years. After suffering through a polar vortex without a parka though, I finally bit the bullet. A parka is so, so necessary for the coldest of days. Don’t worry about what you look like, just know you’re warm and fully protected from the elements. I don’t have this particular one, but it’s still a coat I’d recommend as it comes highly reviewed.

Other popular parkas: Canada Goose, North Face, belted J. Crew, & Vince Camuto.

COCOON COAT // In addition to the puffer coats, it’s worth having a great looking wool coat in your closet. There are a million wool coats to choose from, and I have a number of different ones myself. You can’t go wrong with the cocoon coat though. I think it has the chicest shape and has plenty of room to layer cozy sweaters underneath.

Other wool coats I recommend: Peacoat, Duffle Coat, & Topcoat.

BARBOUR COAT // This is technically not a “warm” coat, but it’s one that I reach for all the time throughout the winter. You know when you have a super chunky sweater that doesn’t quite sit well under a tighter coat? A Barbour keeps you protected from the elements and still fits over those sweaters. You can also zip in a liner, which adds more warmth!