7 Wool Coats for Chilly Winters
Nov 7, 2019
Last Tuesday, we talked about puffers, and a few of you asked for a similar post on winter coats. A classic coat is a wardrobe necessity. Something with a sleek style and a timeless look. Here are a few coats that look like they fit the bill.
Kenneth Cole Boucle Coat ($170)
Michael Kors Zip-Front Coat (6 Colors, $90)
Lady Day Coat Thinsulate ($400)
French Connection Long Camel Coat ($144 til 11/7, $360 after)
Ann Taylor Funnel Neck Coat ($248)
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I live in Atlanta, but travel to NY and IL for work about once a month each – as a result I’m now the proud owner of a sleek but substantial wool coat that hits just below the knees and an ankle length puffer (I’ve gotten over looking like an eggplant-colored Michelin man, I’m so warm!!) But both of these coats are a lot too much down here where fall only arrived a few weeks ago.
What’s your suggestion for a “Southern” winter coat? I love all the fall and winter looks I see scrolling through Instagram (and when shopping), but can’t help but sweat thinking about wearing them at home
Greeting Liz – I think you need to take the word “coat” out of your vocabulary when it comes to the South! I moved to Atlanta from Chicago several years ago. I promptly sent my mom my two down coats which I wore from November to March up North but would be useless where it never got below the 50’s in the winter. I kept my two wool coats but only pulled them out a couple of times a year. For work, I found a quality trench coat to be a great investment – J.Crew’s 2011 Icon Trench is a popular seller, and Banana Republic has classic and short trench options. For casual wear, I wore out a mid-weight Eddie Bauer parka. That’s no longer sold, but Gap’s Utility Parka Jacket is a close match. Thankfully “puffers” have slimmed down – I like Old Navy’s Packable Puffer Jacket to wear over workout clothes; their Lightweight Long Line Jacket has a little more coverage. If you still want a wool coat, I’d consider a topcoat – there’s J.Crew’s Daphne Topcoat, and BR has a Double-Faced Topcoat and a Reversible Car Coat. Good luck!
I’ve been looking at a new trench, so that may be the route to go. I think it may also be some wanting what you can’t wear — I swear, the longer I spend in warmer falls and winters, the more I want to wear all the cold weather attire that would have me melting!
PSA for tall ladies with historically drafty wrists – J Crew offers tall sizes in coats and the sleeves are LONG! Also, the J Crew cocoon coat keeps me warm even in the dead of Michigan winters. Highly recommend.
Good Morning- Your post on coats is timely as I have been trying to find a non wrap (because I already have one) knee length in a nice wool or cashmere blend under $500.00. So many coats now are only 3/4 length and it seems like puffers are much more abundant than wool/cashmere coats. The only issue is I need an XL or size 16 or 18 depending on the cut. Was hoping the JCrew Lady Daycoat with Thinsulate would out in larger than a 16 (JCrew coats are cut on the smaller size I think) but that did not happen. Am not a fan of Eloquii…honestly I don’t think their clothing is of great quality when I am looking for a long term wear like a winter coat. Thanks to you or any of your followers for links to options. .
Check out coedition or 11 Honore for plus size nicer quality. 11 Honore might be outside your price range, but it’s really helpful to get an idea of what brands come in larger sizes that I didn’t realize do so- like Veronica Beard and Mara Hoffman. I have the same gripe about Eloquii. I sent back a coat this year from them that looked literally like it was made of a bathrobe. I think they’re good for trendy pieces and holiday, but not for workhorse basics.
LL Bean has some nice 100% wool coats that come in sizes up to 20. The ones I linked below strike me as pretty classic. I have the first one in a size 4, and it’s a few inches above my knee but I’m 5’9.
https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/78460?page=classic-lambswool-duffel-coat&bc=12-27-610-504728-512154&feat=512154-GN3&csp=f
https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/62463?page=classic-lambswool-polo-coat-three-quarter&bc=12-27-610-504728-512154&feat=512154-GN3&csp=f
Dang, I wish I could justify another coat because I love the Michael Kors one and the Cole Haan one. Someone buy one so I can live vicariously through you.
I would love to see a post on men’s coats! My husband has a puffer for weekends/ the very coldest days, but he wants something more business casual for the office – that will also stand up to a 15 minute was to the metro. Any suggestions for you (or the possibility of a post from Kyle about stylish cold weather options for men)?
I recently bought Old Navy’s Relaxed Soft-Brushed Long Coat in Green and have been wearing it non stop for 3+ weeks. I live in Minnesota so the temps have already dropped to the low 20s and this coat has handled that (I mean I’m outside for 2 seconds before I jump in my car). I love how thick it is and it is very well made considering I paid $48 for it. 10/10 would recommend! I purchased my true size – Med (typically wear 8/10) since sometimes coats can be tight in the shoulders and I am able to wear all my thick sweaters and it still looks great!
I can highly recommend the J Crew lady day coat. It is expensive, but the one I bought 11 years ago is still my go-to heavy winter coat. It has held up very well, I still get compliments on it every winter, and it works well for my southern high plains windy winter weather.