This Thursday marks the official start of winter, but for many of us who live in cooler climates, it feels like the season has already begun—namely because it’s already freezing. Suddenly, a good winter coat has become a wardrobe’s most important hero piece; it’s a must-have staple for keeping you warm in the months ahead and (hopefully) completing many different outfits, too. Only problem? With a bevy of options and styling choices on the market, I’m currently having a case of serious coat-identity crisis. I’m having commitment issues—to outerwear!
Allow me to explain. As someone who’s in the market for a new coat—a looming trip to Japan calls for one killer coat that can be both versatile and chic—I began looking into new outerwear a few weeks ago and found myself totally overwhelmed by the current assortment. I began my research with a look at the fall 2023 runways, to see which styles felt fresh. Turns out, designers are putting innovative stamps on all sorts of toppers. At Bottega Veneta, Matthieu Blazy’s double-breasted topcoats have a swishy, fringed hemline; Ferragamo’s faux fur coats have thick, sculptural silhouettes; Loewe’s leather trenches are sleek and streamlined. Judging by the catwalks, there’s no one coat that’s emerging as the outerwear of the season. From robe coats to toggled ones, virtually all styles have been modernized and refreshed. Great—that’s helpful.
Drawn to the current array of forward-thinking coats, I began pondering exactly what kind of coat person I am. Am I a more practical, sporty-puffer-coat kind of person? Maybe. Emily Ratajkowski recently wore a multicolored North Face puffer coat and she made it look casual-cool with sneakers and a dad cap. Or am I more of a dressier wool topcoat type? Also maybe! Last month, Katie Holmes stepped out in New York wearing a cozy double-breasted style with a thick beanie and checked pants, and I could instantly envision myself wearing it, too. These stylish celebrities have all picked coats that they can build clear outfits around; the versatility factor is key. So maybe it’s less about finding the perfect coat and more about picking one that can be a no-brainer when it comes to styling.
With all that in mind, I did some more online perusing…and aha! I landed on what I consider to be a pretty perfect coat: a navy cashmere Burberry overcoat on The RealReal that was way underpriced. It’s the kind of coat that can be paired with just about anything—from sweats to a suit—and it will never go out of style in the years ahead. Score.
Now is this the most groundbreaking choice? No. From the get-go, anyone could have told me that a tailored navy wool coat would be a smart choice. But in a sea of dizzying choices and finishes, sometimes the most obvious answer is the hardest one to come to. Coats are investment pieces (not to mention one of the priciest wardrobe staples in general), after all, so why not choose a classic topper and then go wild with the rotating clothing underneath it? Sure, bright faux furs (à la Cardi B walking for Balenciaga, in a cobalt one) and printed trenches are fun for a season or two—but for 2024, I’m choosing to play it safe. Well, at least with coats. And you should consider it too: Your wallet will thank you!