Essential Winter Coats

It's time for another Back to Basics post. Since it's December, now seems like a good time to discuss essential winter coats. Why? Because it's effing cold outside. Also, because that super expensive winter coat you've been lusting after since October is about to go on major sale. Before we get to our categories/recommendations, let's first discuss some winter coat basics. First of all, unless you live in Florida or Arizona, you need a winter coat. Second: we're not all lucky enough to be a fashun blogger with a closet full of care-of winter gear, nor are we lucky enough to have the Duchess of Cambridge's coat closet. Therefore winter coats must be both classic in style, warm, and good quality. Third: because this is an item that you're going to wear for years, make sure to buy the best you can afford and stick with brands your know offer excellent quality for the price (you will see this in our recommendations). Fourth: don't expect to find any new brands in this post (with limited exceptions, see why below). Because winter coats are an investment, we've stuck with brands we know and trust.  Finally, we've written this post with a very Midwest mindset. If you're not blessed with our super fun winters, adjust your purchases accordingly! 

Heads up - you may notice that this winter coat guide is slightly different than other winter coat guides you may have read. How? Well rather than taking the typical fashun blogger approach to coats and including categories like "black coats" and "printed coats," we've chosen 4 very practical categories: (1) dressy wool coat; (2) casual wool coat; (3) casual non-wool coat; and (4) "holy shit it's cold" coat. Got it? Good. Let's dive in. 

Dressy Wool Coat

Especially in areas that have notoriously cold winters, a dressy winter coat is essential for the real working girl.  Nothing can ruin an otherwise fabulous winter work or party outfit like throwing on your ski jacket. Your dressy wool coat is going to be an investment and something you will wear for years and thus should be about as classic as it gets.  This doesn’t mean it has to be basic black, it just means that it needs to be in a classic cut (and warm because if it’s not functional it won’t get worn).  That being said, there is some wiggle room in the dressy/casual wool coat world.  For example, this technical wool/cashmere funnel neck coat from Burberry (currently a steal at $775) is short enough to be worn for casual occasions but the lines are classic and formal enough that it can do double duty for work or dressier occasions.  Some of our favorite dressy wool coat options?  See below!

Frugal (less than $200):

• Lucky size Medium only – This red DVF wrap coat is TDF!
• Available in a rainbow of colors, this J. Crew Factory topcoat is about as classic as it gets. Also, J. Crew coats are legit. 

Mid-Line ($200 - $500):

• This camel DKNY wrap coat is perfection!
• Nothing gets more classic than this black L.K. Bennett stunner!

 What Katie 1 Spends (more than $500):

• Oh my goodness, this plum L.K. Bennett coat is gorgeous!
• Pricey, but this Burberry wool trench coat with detachable fox fur collar is about as classic as it gets. Also – real advice on Burberry coats. While they are totally worth the splurge for the warmth, quality and price, (Katie 1 has an amazing funnel neck wool/cashmere coat that is a stunning now as when she bought it, she just needs to lose about 10 lbs before it fits), Burberry does discount so try and snag one on sale.  Also, if there is a Burberry outlet nearby you can also grab one of last season’s styles for a steal. 

Casual Wool Coat

As we stated above, you can get away with one wool coat instead of two, as long as the one you choose is classic in shape and color. But who in the world wants just one coat?! If you have more than one coat, they will last longer (hello rotation). The key to making a coat more casual is generally to go with a shorter length and focus less on classic (think bigger buttons, colors, or pattern).

Frugal (less than $200):

• This Halogen wool blend coat is definitely a more casual option, but we are loving the a-symmetrical zipper. 
• Classic details with a little less structure and a range of colors make this Ellen Tracy coat a great casual choice. 

Mid-Line ($200 - $500):

• Katie 2 has decided that 2018 is the year she tries grey as a more prevalent neutral in her wardrobe, because there are so many options out there, like this hooded boucle beauty from Cole Haan.
• In the mid-line price point, you can't go wrong with J.Crew. As we mentioned above for Dressy Wool coats, J.Crew coats are legit. We recommend this fun gingham, but peruse the website and you will find tons of options (casual, dressy, and everything in between). 

 What Katie 1 Spends (more than $500):

• If you watched Downton Abbey, you would know that khaki/green tweed is decidedly casual and great for nice walks outside which is why this flecked tweed is included in the casual recommendations. (We are only including one recommendation here, because this is a lot to spend on a casual wool coat...)

Casual Non-Wool Coat
 

If you don’t live in an area with notoriously cold winters (or you aren’t a pedestrian commuter), you might not actually need a casual non-wool coat. You may be able to make due with whatever warm fall jacket you own.  But if you live in a place that gets fucking cold and sloppy in the winter, you will likely need a casual non-wool coat for the weekends, to and from the gym, and winter outdoor activities (sledding, ice skating, whatever). In fact, a casual non-wool coat can also pull double duty (when layered appropriately) as a ski jacket for any non-skiers with pushy friends who talk you into hitting the slopes. (Note: If you are already a winter sports enthusiast, check the blog in the coming months for an entire post dedicated to winter sports gear.) Added bonus of the casual non-wool coat? It’s usually machine washable and thus perfect for those sloppy, slushy winter days. You will see that we’ve adjusted our price ranges for this option because there are so many less than $150 options out there that are amazing quality at a great price. Our favorites?

Frugal (less than $150)

Note regarding this category of casual non-wool coats.  There are a TON of options at this price point available at a number of retailers.  We're particularly thrilled with 6pm.com's options as well as the options available at Zappos, Lands' End, and REI. Two of our favorites are featured below.  

• Available in 3 colors (we particularly love the quail grey), this North Face Tonnerro Parka pretty much ticks every box as far as casual non wool coats go.  The $120 price tag isn’t bad either.
• You know we love a good leopard print and this Lands’ End leopard print down jacket is no exception.  Also – both Katie 1 and Elizabeth have down coats from Lands’ End.  They both agree that Lands’ End is tops for down coats based upon both warmth and style and the ability to machine wash.

Mid-line ($150 - $300)

 

Note regarding this category of coat. This price point is a great entry for higher end brands, especially :at the end of season sales. Check Rue La La, Sierra Trading Post, and other similar discount sites around February for some steals.  Also, if your pushy skier friend talked you into taking a lesson at your local mountain (or hill here in Chicago) and you've caught the skiing bug, there are a ton of good quality ski jackets available at this price point, especially at Costco and Sierra Trading Post. Here are our favorite options at this price point. 

• Not into down and need something a little more versatile in terms of warmth? The North Face Denali Fleece Jacket is the gold standard for a reason. It’s warm, can be layered, and wears like iron (seriously – Katie 1 has had her North Face since college and still wears it literally all the time).  P.S. if you have a really good windbreaker/rain coat and you need to create a waterproof winter coat in a pinch, layer the Denali under said windbreaker and you’ve instantly got a ski jacket.  You’re welcome. 
• Yes, this Obermeyer Siren Faux-Fur Trim coat is technically a ski jacket but it doesn’t look it.  It’s also a steal at $199.99. 

What Katie 1 spends (more than $500)

 

As we've noted above, there is a cornucopia of casual non-wool winter coats available at really reasonable price points.  However, if you've got some money to burn and want to make a ridiculous purchase, here are some splurge worthy options. 

• Apparently all the cool kids are wearing Canada Goose this year.  We’ll jump on that bandwagon and recommend the PBI Camp Hoody. 
• Katie 1 has a thing for Moncler.  Katie 1 skis.  Thus, Katie 1 is OBSESSED with this Moncler funnel-collar zip front coat with a ski print. Someone should probably talk her out of buying it.  Seriously. P.S. Love the look of this coat but don't want to spend $1,600 on a coat? Check out Neve Designs (available at Amazon and smaller ski retailers) for some lovely sweaters with a similar theme. (Katie 2 would like to take this moment to ask all of you to please ignore Katie 1's recommendation on this one. All of us in the office have voted, and we think this coat, and its price tag, are ridiculous.)

Holy Shit It's Cold Outside (aka "The Sleeping Bag Coat")

It gets so cold here, getting out of bed and out the door on a weekday morning can be difficult. That's all we want to do is curl up and hide from the world. Enter the Sleeping Bag Coat- the coat that makes you feel like you're still wrapped up in bed. So what makes it a "sleeping bag"? Length. You need to keep every part of your body warm, so ideally, you want something to hit about 3/4 to your knee (any longer and it makes it hard to move, and really funny when you're trying to walk up the stairs from the El). (PS: Like to do some research? Sierra Trading has some helpful information on down vs. synthetic.) 

Frugal (Under $200)

• This price point is a little difficult for the sleeping bag coat, but we found this one for a cool $99.99 (just don't get the black- it looks a bit like a garbage bag in our opinion). 
• Costco to the rescue! Pick up a super long, super warm coat when you get toilet paper, a stand mixer, and a 55" tall wine glass! (Katie 2 may or may not have bought the last two items on a recent trip. Don't judge.)

Mid-line ($200 to $499)

• The most basic of winter sleeping bag coats. The North Face wins in the eyes of Katie 2. They have been at the top of their game for decades and excel at warm coats that don't make you too hot, and you can still move around (unlike poor little Randy from A Christmas Story). And in terms of price, they are very reasonable at the lower end of our Mid-line price point. You can even score deals if you buy out of season (think Nordstrom Anniversary Sale or February end-of-season sales). 
• None of us here at Not a Corporate Fashun Blog have tried Fjallraven, but all the hipster kids on the train really seem to love it. The train is packed with backpacks and coats with that cute little sleeping fox. And the reviews on Amazon are high, but we suggested hipping up Sierra Trading for a good deal on this Ovik Down Parka. 

What Katie 1 Spends (more than $500)

• You want a sleeping bag? Here is a very expensive one. The good news is that the light color makes the salt and snow difficult to see. The bad news is that dirt and train gunk are going to show up like yellow in snow. While none of us own Max Mara, they are very well known for their coats, so if you're willing to shell out the cash, we are confident you will be toasty warm. 
• Canada Goose seems to be all the rage on the trains these days. All the cool kids that used to wear The North Face are slipping into these babies. The Elrose Parka seems a lot like the Arctic Parka for a whole lot more money, though...