A Fine Winter Coat

Photos: Paul Smith coat

Well, we are in the middle of winter and unless you are reading this on your iPhone poolside (damn you), then no matter what fabulous outfit you put on, it gets topped with a coat. Which means that although you are stunning in your favorite jeans (the ones that make your butt look like you do 100 squats every morning) and your trusty cashmere sweater (not tight, just fitted in all the right places), the fashion face you present on the street is…your coat.

A nice winter coat is a critical investment. For those who think they can eek through the cold months in a light fall jacket, ski parka, or that thing in the back of the closet that belonged to Frances McDormand in Fargo, I have news for you: it’s time to outfit yourself with a proper winter coat. You need something that will take you from happy hour to midnight mass (er, but not directly).

You are looking for a longish (knees to mid-calf) coat in a natural and durable fabric with a good warmth-to-weight ratio, such as a fine wool or cashmere. You’ll want to spend your money on quality construction and a classic style to last you several years. As always, pay attention to fit and tailoring and make sure you can wear layers underneath without looking bulky. Black, navy, charcoal, and camel are all easy and classic choices, but don’t be afraid to get something less conventional as long as it works with your wardrobe. If you buy a color, just make sure your accessories don’t compete with the coat – keep things simple to let the coat shine. Try to get something that will work well on top of both evening (New Years Eve) and day looks (Sunday at the Met). This will likely mean dressing up your day look a bit, and there is nothing wrong with that, especially in the more formal season of winter.

A good place to shop for a winter coat are the upscale department stores – Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, Saks, Barneys, Henri Bendel, etc. If you are in the New York City area, definitely visit Century 21. These stores usually have a wide selection, good sales, and an excellent return policy should you need it. I like to wait until about mid-winter for the sales in order to make my hard-earned dollars go farther and get something not just correct but truly special.

Final advice: get something sexy! Just because it is a winter coat doesn’t mean it can’t leave a trail of melted snow behind you.