From parks to puffers, a warm outer layer will last you until spring.
After enduring some bone-chilling winters, you’ll learn there’s no such thing as having too many trending coats and jackets in your outerwear arsenal. As the East Coast and much of the U.S. inches closer to single-digit temperatures, no mantra is more accurate than the one that designates the coat as the outfit. It’s the one thing you’ll want to invest in for the colder season. “I always go for durable outerwear this time of year,” Shopbop’s Senior Fashion Director Caroline Maguire tells Marie Claire. “If it’s extra chilly outside, I’ll often pair my coats with fitted long-sleeve tops layered beneath button-down shirts and knit sweaters,” she adds.
Maguire says that bold layers will be one of the biggest [and most practical] trends women will wear for winter. She also notes that designers are updating the classic puffer with unique silhouettes and creating oversized outerwear that feels less like a winter essential for its practicality and more like a fashion statement for their fresh and exciting takes. Labels like Balenciaga, Alaïa, and Sacai were a few of the big names that embraced this design approach during the Fall 2024 Fashion Week circuit. Other brands like Michael Kors, Chloé, and Gabriela Hearst co-signed the “more is more” memo with animal-print coats, faux fur jackets, and shearling-trims. And of course, timeless pieces like the duffle and double-breasted pea coat also prevailed alongside the ubiquitus parka coat.
Even if you don’t live in a region with whipping winds and piles of snow, a warm coat is an excellent insurance policy. Ahead, discover a variety of pieces that you’ll want to add to your winter wardrobe stat.
Best Faux Fur Coats and Teddy Coats
While faux fur coats and teddy coats are an investment because of their luxe fabrication, Maguire recommends factoring in price per wear. “Since you’ll be wearing this coat daily for at least two to three months through harsh weather conditions, you’ll want something stylish with excellent long-lasting qualities to get the job done,” she notes. The elegant styles below offer just that.
Best Puffer Jackets and Coats
“There’s nothing I love more than a cozy puffer coat—especially the quilted puffers I’ve seen on the runways,” says Maguire. Want to stay warm without looking like the Michelin man? Maguire says it all comes down to your footwear choice—elevating your look with unconventional shoe pairings like knee-high boots and kitten heels. And to push your accessories even further with a pair of polished leather gloves.
Best Shearling Jackets and Coats
A shearling-lined jacket is cozy without overpowering. “You want to wear the coat and not let it wear you,” says Maguire. “Think through what qualities define your everyday style, whether it be a favorite color, silhouette, or fabric, and that can help you pick the top attributes of your coat,” she says.
She also encourages people to get specific with their outerwear needs. Do you want a shearling-lined jacket with a zipper or a button? Something oversized or tailored? Mapping out what you want beforehand will make the selection process easier amidst so many different options.
Best Animal-Print Coats
More often than not, animal prints do double-duty as a statement-making pattern and a classic neutral. While a leopard-spotted jacket is a surefire way to make a fashion statement, you’ll still want to stay warm.
To do that, Maguire says to make sure you’re buying coats crafted from quality fabrics since they will endure wear and tear throughout the cold weather season. Another piece of advice from the style expert? Choose an animal-print coat you’re obsessed with—it will be the first impression when you walk into any room.
Best Double-Chested Coats
First designed in the 19th century as a casual jacket characterized by its wide lapels, the double-breasted jacket is now a sophisticated investment coat for daily wear and can stand up to special occasions. A true classic jacket in a double-breasted silhouette can be worn fitted or loosely and has endless styling options—ideal for pairing with your maxi skirts, knit dresses, and tailored trousers. “Winter coats are all about range and flexibility that lend themselves to your everyday routine and wardrobe,” says Maguire.
Best Parka Coats
Typically made from down fabrics, a knee or ankle-length parka jacket will be your go-to for colder temperatures and more extreme weather. To combat the elements, look for a wind and waterproof windbreaker style parka or rain jacket. Some variations can keep you warm down to the negative temps. Fashion twists like gold buttons and patch pockets will also make you look effortlessly cool.
