If you’re also on the East Coast, you know that this September had some seriously wacky, 85-degree days. But it seems fall (or should we say winter?) has finally caught up with us — and with a chilly, blustery vengeance at that. Now, after months of trying to keep cool whilst looking hot, we must focus on staying hot whilst still looking cool.
In other words, it’s time to invest in a new, truly great fall-to-winter coat: A coat that’ll instantly brighten up your sensible seasonal separates. A coat that’ll hold your attention every day for the next three to four months. A coat that’ll do all that and keep you from freezing your butt off.
Fortunately, finding said winter wonder-coat won’t be much of a struggle. Outside the Spring 2019 shows, we spied a ton of outerwear trends that prioritize fun and functionality: think cocoon-like, double-breasted Sherlock coats; (leopard print) faux-fur coats; inventively tailored puffer coats.
Click through the slideshow above to shop these styles and more (at every price point) — and for some styling tips inspired by our favorite bundling/layering professionals.
[ Next: Reformation’s New Coat Collection Is Here to Prepare You for Fall ]
Best Midseason/Winter Coats 2018
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Bold Colors
Take it from the hordes of influencers who clustered outside Spring 2019 shows across the globe: a brightly colored coat adds instant excitement to any outfit. This is a good one for those who're craving something different but can't seem to let go of their classic robe coat or neutral-toned cold-weather separates.
Image: Imaxtree
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Bold Colors
Free People Sierra Wool Coat, $168 at Free People
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Bold Colors
Staud Dion Jacket in Citrine, $295 at Staud
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Bold Colors
Mango Wool Overcoat, $229.99 at Mango
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Bold Colors
Front Row Shop Shirt Style Wool-Blend Coat, $127.90 at Front Row Shop
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Bold Colors
Marc Jacobs Oversized Double-Breasted Wool-Blend Coat, $895 at Net-a-Porter
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Bold Colors
Apparis Sophie Cobalt Blue Oversized Faux Fur Coat, $295 at Apparis
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Classic Double-Breasted
Menswear-inspired blazers continue to be a big street-style hit, so it makes perfect sense that double-breasted topcoats, their more cold-weather appropriate cousins, have likewise entered the spotlight. Nod at the trend's stodgy, professorial origins in playful plaid, tweed and houndstooth iterations.
Image: Imaxtree
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Classic Double-Breasted
Zara Long Plaid Coat, $299 at Zara
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Classic Double-Breasted
COS Short Wool Pea Coat, $250 at COS
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Classic Double-Breasted
Bershka Long Houndstooth Coat, $119 at Bershka
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Classic Double-Breasted
& Other Stories Wool Blend Straight Coat, $219 at & Other Stories
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Classic Double-Breasted
Reformation Middlebury Coat, $328 at Reformation
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Classic Double-Breasted
J.Crew Daphne Topcoat in Italian Tweed, $325 at J.Crew
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Puffer
If you've made it this far without buying a puffer...well, frankly, we're shocked. They're warm AF, and to call them fashion-crowd-approved would be a vast understatement. This season, the cool-kid thing to do is to layer the hefty, down-filled shells over another (sleeker, more form-fitting) jacket. Bonus points if it's furry, or similarly stuffed with feathers but segmented in a different way.
Image: Imaxtree
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Puffer
Zara Puffer Coat with Wrap Collar, $129 at Zara
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Puffer
TNA The Super Puff Mid, $250 at Aritzia
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Puffer
ASOS Longline Puffer Jacket, $103 at ASOS
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Puffer
H&M Padded Jacket, $39.99 at H&M
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Puffer
Universal Standard Kanda Puffer in Black, $230 at Nordstrom
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Puffer
North Face Nuptse Jacket, $245 at Opening Ceremony
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Faux Fur
These days, it seems fur is to fashion people what single-use plastic is to environmentalists. (Not that we're complaining.) In the past 12 months, the anti-fur movement's seen unprecedented momentum, with major brands like Gucci and Burberry swearing off the stuff, and London Fashion Week banning the material from here (as in the Spring 2019 season) on out. That said, we all still love a good textural look, hence the rise of all manner of faux furs, from the fox-resembling to those with a more Monsters, Inc. vibe.
Image: Imaxtree
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Faux Fur
Just Female Enzo Fake Fur Coat, $368 at Need Supply
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Faux Fur
Urban Outfitters Francine Faux Fur Bomber Jacket, $139 at Urban Outfitters
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Faux Fur
Free People Velvet Underground Coat, $469 at Free People
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Faux Fur
Blank Denim Faux Fur Jacket, $90 at Blank Denim
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Faux Fur
Biannual Cowl Neck Fur Sweater, $495 at Biannual
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Faux Fur
& Other Stories Short Faux Fur Jacket, $149 at & Other Stories
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Trench
Is there anything classier than a well-cut trench coat? (Rhetorical question.) The utilitarian style has more than stood the test of time, meaning even more avant-garde takes (like Topshop's crocodile-embossed version) will look just as chic in 10 years as they do now.
Image: Imaxtree
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Trench
The Frankie Shop Navy Contrast Cuff Trench Coat, $299 at The Frankie Shop
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Trench
River Island Faux Suede Belted Trench Coat in Camel, $119 at ASOS
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Trench
Farrow Krisha Woven Jacket in Caramel, $128 at Need Supply
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Trench
Oak + Fort Coat J001, $148 at Oak + Fort
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Trench
Topshop Crocodile Embossed Coat, $150 at Topshop
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Trench
Uniqlo Short Trench Coat, $79.99 at Uniqlo
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Leopard
Forget everything you’ve been told about investing in a simple, snoozy black anorak. This season, like Jackie (Kennedy) and Kate (Moss) before you, prance around in an eye-catching leopard-print coat — the fuzzier the better. Animal spots are the new neutral, after all.
Image: Imaxtree
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Leopard
Topshop Leopard Faux Fur Coat, $130 at Topshop
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Leopard
Rebecca Minkoff Turner Coat, $398 at Shopbop
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Leopard
Collina Strada Shelter Faux Leopard Jacket, $812 at Need Supply
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Leopard
Saks Potts Yvonne Leopard-Print Wool Coat, $1,264 at Matches Fashion
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Leopard
H&M+ Faux Fur Coat, $99 at H&M
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Leopard
Blank Denim Party Animal Coat, $188 at Shopbop
