Fall is here—even if it doesn’t feel like it outside just yet—and that means that it’s officially about to be coat season. And because I consider myself to be something of a jacket-and-coat expert, I’ve figured out precisely what style I’m into this season: wrap coats.
These types of coats are historically made from thicker fabrics like wool or cashmere, but modern iterations can be made from a puffier material, too. There are even versions that are fashioned from a plush teddy material for added warmth.
Whichever fabrication you choose, it all comes down to the shape. Wrap coats are often less structured in the shoulders, have a looser fit throughout, and feature a belt made from the same material as the rest of the piece that you can just tie in a knot before heading out the door.
In order to help you find your new favorite coat, I’ve taken the liberty of rounding up the best wrap coats below.
As a fashion editor, I have a tendency to plan ahead—sometimes months ahead. Whether it be runway trends for the following season, outfit ideas, or my shopping list, planning far in advance has its perks. For one, I like to look at everything that’s happening in fashion so I can cherry-pick the items that resonate the most with my style. Planning ahead is also a strategy I use when shopping so I can be sure to invest only in the items that I know I’ll wear in a myriad of ways.
As I prepared to dive into fall dressing, I landed on a handful of must-have pieces that, while trendy, are ultimately of the wardrobe-staple variety, meaning I know I’ll be getting miles in them. Naturally, pieces this versatile also come with a rather low cost per wear, so consider this list your shortcut to a low-cost, high-impact fall wardrobe. Keep scrolling for the staple pieces I recommend acquiring for the transition to fall and, frankly, many months to come.
I may love fashion, but I don’t love putting together complicated outfits. I rarely give myself more than five minutes to figure out what I’m going to wear, so the simpler the outfit, the happier I am. This is why coat season (aka winter) is so appealing to me. I get that winter being appealing is probably an unpopular opinion, but think about it. If you have a few cool coats, you can just wear jeans and a sweater every day of the week but still look like you made an effort when wearing a special coat.
If you agree with my winter-style mindset, let’s shop for great coats instead of complicated outfits. I compiled a list of 33 options that are so spectacular the rest of your outfit won’t even matter. Bonus: They’ll keep you warm. Keep scrolling to shop my outfit-making picks for the most epic coats on the internet.
There’s nothing like that first crisp fall day with a chill in the air signaling the season is in full swing. It also signals that we’re entering coat season, which feels particularly exciting for fashion people. Breaking out my favorite styles and hunting for new prospects is one of the highlights of fall. Outerwear provides the opportunity to add color, texture, and dramatic silhouettes to an outfit—plus keep you warm, of course. It’s a chance to marry function and personality, which is the name of the game in fashion.
Now, of course, coats are an investment, so I always try to strike a balance between style and function while also looking for pieces that feel both timeless and modern—meaning there’s a lot to consider when shopping for a new coat. So when designers create something that perfectly checks off all of the boxes, you know it’s going to go fast. After scanning through the new arrivals of all our favorite retailers, I’ve compiled a list of the most gorgeous fall outerwear that I know will be the first to sell out, so I’m sharing those here. From sweeping leather trench coats to chocolate-brown shearling, here are the 31 fall coats I think will be huge hits. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Do you feel that frigid gust of wind? Whether you like it or not, winter is on the horizon. With the transition into the new season, you’ve likely already realized that you’re nowhere near being ready for the transition from fall to winter. Frankly, we don’t blame you. It can be jarring to go from dressing for the optimal fall weather to finding that a cold front has snuck up on you. It’s even more overwhelming if you realize you don’t know what to wear or don’t even have suitable staples for frosty temperatures. Luckily for you, we’re all about ensuring you don’t wake up in the dead of winter unprepared. In our minds, the best possible way to ensure just that is to start by investing in a winter coat.
Hear us out. It’s the only piece you need to be prepared for the winter. Sure, it’s fun to buy into boot trends or invest in leather gloves, but if you’re on a limited budget, then the only thing you should focus on is ensuring you have the best possible outerwear for the season. Of course, determining what’s worth your attention can be challenging, especially with so many different types of coats out there. But we believe one style is worth your time: double-breasted coats. Defined by parallel columns of buttons, an overlapping front closure, and typically made from wool, this coat style has been around for centuries and will continue to be.
While the coat may seem “basic” compared to trendier styles, we’ve actually seen designers find ways to make this low-key style feel luxurious in their fall/winter 2023 collections. From adopting floor-sweeping maxi hemlines to using faux exotic materials to adding detachable scarfs, there’s no shortage of ways this coat has been reinvented for fall. But you don’t have to take our word for it. Ahead, we’ve rounded up a few examples of this coat on the runway to show just how glamorous it can be. Additionally, we scoured the internet to find the 30 best double-breasted coats for women based on quality, longevity, price point, functionality, and trends. Consider this coat the only item required for your winter starter pack.
If you like people-watching as much as I do, allow me to indulge you in my latest fashion sighting while living in NYC. New Yorkers are embracing a vintage classic with open arms—yup, the varsity jacket. These iconic jackets, once reserved for high school athletes, have cycled in and out of my life as a fashion person.
When I was in my first-ever high school musical, Grease, the very cool main characters wore varsity jackets, and so did I. In college, I also had a period of time when all I wanted to wear was a vintage varsity jacket. The bouncer in our college town surprisingly thought I was of age because my jacket had graduation years that were just a bit older than my own. With all of the memories that come along with the idea of wearing a variety jacket, I’m quite excited about its return to the fashion world.
What’s driving this sudden surge in varsity-jacket popularity? It’s not just about staying warm during the brisk East Coast winters; it’s about expressing individuality and a sense of unity with the city. New Yorkers are known for their unique sense of style, and these jackets provide the perfect canvas for personalization. From vintage-inspired designs to modern, sleek silhouettes, there’s a varsity jacket for every taste. Make your own memories with one of the options that I’ve sourced below.
I will be the first to admit that I am not immune to the incredible allure of what has now become known as the French-girl phenomenon. That said, I’m always yearning to be able to pull off that stylish effortlessness the Parisians are known for. One way I go about achieving this is by adding elevated basics to my wardrobe as well as some standout pieces that are essential to French style. One key piece that seems ubiquitous to French women, no matter the year or the season, is the tweed jacket.
With the goal of putting together some chic French girl–inspired outfits this fall, I kept tweed jackets top of mind. The iconic outerwear is known for easily elevating even the most basic of looks. I plan on wearing one with everything from a T-shirt, jeans, and flats to a classic slip dress—the styling possibilities are truly endless. Ahead, shop 27 of my top tweed-jacket picks of the moment, plus some visual inspiration on how to wear the styles straight from the chicest French women around.
There are so many amazing fall items in Nordstrom’s new arrivals section right now. After scrolling through recently, I specifically noted the top-notch assortment of jackets, boots, and sweaters. You know, the fall staples. Naturally, I decided to put together an edit of the standout finds I think you’ll love.
But here’s the thing. I think many of the items coming your way below could sell out rather quickly over the next weeks because they’re chic and also seem to be already popular among other customers. Fun fact, you can often see how many shoppers are viewing a particular item on the product page.
Keep scrolling to check out the best sweaters, jackets, and boots at Nordstrom right now.
We love a leather-jacket moment, so today, we’re focusing on the best vegan-leather jackets available online. If you’re not looking to spend a sizable chunk of money on one item or if you prefer to stick to the animal-friendly version of the timeless piece, artificial leather is the way to go.
To set you up with the best jacket selection to choose from, we browsed our go-to budget-friendly sites, including Topshop and H&M (to name a few). Whether you’re looking for a sleek-and-simple version or something with interesting details like studs or ruching, we’ve got you covered. And if you’re looking for outfit inspiration, including how to wear your new jacket, we’ve also got you covered with the freshest ways to style a moto jacket this year. Shop our favorite faux-leather moto jackets below.
I’m not someone who holds onto things in their wardrobe that they don’t wear. I suppose that’s in part due to the size of my apartment, which doesn’t exactly allow for excess. But it’s also largely tied to my dedication to stocking my closet only with pieces I love and want to wear on repeat. And of all the items stored in there, the ones that arguably get the most attention are my trench coats—hands down. I have no shame in admitting that I play favorites.
In the winter, I wear them layered with hoodies and knitwear, while the spring and summer see my lightweight versions worn with slip dresses or simple jeans-and-tee ensembles. I bring one with me on practically every trip, no matter the location, and have a problem not buying one when a chic, new silhouette hits the market. I’m obsessed (clearly), and there’s nothing you can say or do to convince me otherwise. As for what allows me to keep on wearing them so frequently without tiring, I maintain an ever-refreshed moodboard full of trench-coat outfit inspiration, and my latest one was too good not to share.
Scroll down to examine my 12 current favorite trench-coat looks from Instagram and shop your way to recreating each one.
We love a good camel coat. Who doesn’t? It’s truly the perfect fall and winter clothing item. Goes with everything, can be dressed up or down, is timeless, and looks expensive—these are a few of the many qualities this universal wardrobe staple possesses. Given the appeal, it’s no wonder there’s a slew of camel-coat options from brands at every price point on the market. There are higher-end ones from brands like Totême that have been worn by our favorite celebrities and exude our luxe dreams but that do come with a pretty high price point. They’re certainly something to aspire to, but in the meantime, we scoured the internet for the best less-expensive camel coats. Whether you invest in one of the pricier options below or go for one of the budget-friendly pieces, you won’t be disappointed.
Keep scrolling to shop our favorite camel coats, from $1000 to $50. Trust us—after you buy one of the options below, it’ll be a staple in your closet for years to come.
There are certain wardrobe items that simply pull more weight than others. A great handbag, standout boots, or an eye-catching piece of outerwear has the power to transform even the most boring outfit into something truly special. And no one knows that more than Jennifer Lopez, who spent a day over the weekend with her husband, Ben Affleck, and their kids wearing a simple jeans and T-shirt combination that was made noteworthy thanks to an extraordinary faux-fur jacket.
Specifically, Lopez’s top layer was a mohair-blend cardigan-coat from the luxury Italian fashion house Brunello Cucinelli. But since her exact pick is neither available nor affordable for many, I went on a hunt to find an alternative that is. That’s when I stumbled upon an equally boho-chic jacket from the NYC-based denim brand BlankNYC on Amazon that just so happens to be marked down from $148 to $120.
Both Lopez’s jacket and my Amazon alt fall under a ’70s-era outerwear trend that’s making a major comeback right now: shaggy faux-fur coats. From styles made entirely of the fuzzy fabric to pared-down versions that are only lined with it (think Penny Lane’s in Almost Famous), shop the J.Lo-approved style below.
In a post-pandemic world, it seems cozy dressing is the only viable option. Opting for luxurious fabrics, relaxed silhouettes, and dress-up-or-down pieces is the best investment for a functional wardrobe. If you’re like me, those are the worth-it pieces since they get reached for way more than my past workwear.
Finding informal staple pieces is one of my favorite ways to create a wardrobe with longevity. Plush cashmere, fuzzy shearling, and oversize (yet well-cut) pieces are great ways to choose comfort. The best part about these pieces is you can wear them in a more formal way with some of your tailored items or very casually with other cozy kin.
J.Crew proves to be one of the leaders in elevated comfort dressing. And I can’t stop thinking about the below 24 pieces for adding polished practicality to my 2023 closet. Shop the plushest options below for ultimate comfort dressing.
I know the point of a press tour is for actors to talk up their latest roles, but if I’m being completely honest, the only outcome I came to after seeing Allison Williams leaving press events all over New York City this week is that I want every single one of her many gorgeous coats—period. Since the start of the new year, Williams, who stars in 2023’s already-viral thriller M3GAN, has made appearances on The Today Show, LIVE with Kelly & Ryan, and more to promote the film. And each time she arrives at a studio, barring not one occasion, she’s been clad in a show-stopping piece of outerwear. Oh, and the looks underneath were chic too.
First up there was the black, cashmere Lafayette 148 coat she wore atop a plaid maxi dress from the brand’s Resort ’23 collection that she recycled for an occasion later that day, swapping out the dress for a simple black skirt-and-sweater set and leopard-print Mach & Mach pumps. Mere hours later, the former Girls actress changed into a navy-blue Tory Burch coat and a color-block set from fall/winter 2022. The next day brought an off-the-runway Sportmax look that I can’t do justice with words. Scroll down to see the look and more of Williams’s incredible outerwear from her press tour for M3GAN, which, if you’re up for it, is out now.
I’m a warm-weather girl. I was born in Southeast Asia, grew up in Texas, and call Los Angeles home. But when Paris beckoned my junior year of college, I answered, bien sur. Shopping for winter wear, I was dazzled by visions of sipping mulled wine as snowflakes settled in my lashes. I picked out a chic double-breasted peacoat that made me feel like Audrey Hepburn and smugly checked “outerwear” off my list.
During the flight, I made plans to rush off to the Eiffel Tower as soon as I landed, bottle of champagne in tow. But the second the doors of Charles de Gaulle swung open, I was assaulted by the coldest, driest wind I’d ever felt, nary a dainty snowflake in sight. My lashes froze together, and it became very clear that my lightweight cashmere coat wasn’t going to cut it. A particularly cold rainy day wandering the Marais later that week confirmed it.
At first I felt defeated. Then, I realized I’d unlocked a whole new category of clothing to enthuse over. A world of puffers and heavy-duty trench coats opened their warm arms out to me. Years later, I’m still somewhat of an outwear aficionado. Even California’s mild winters have me reaching for a coat the second temps drop below 60ºF (okay, 70º if we’re being honest). I’ve scoured the internet for the best coats to keep you looking and feeling both cozy and cute.
As a New Yorker, I can say that coats are an essential part of my wardrobe. New York is my favorite city, and I love living here, but one thing that didn’t attract me to the Big Apple was the weather. I’m not going to lie—sometimes the winters can be brutal. Walking to the subway can feel like walking miles instead of feet, the sun sets at 4 p.m., and going out sounds less and less appealing. However, there are some magical things that NYC has to offer to pick up our spirits, for instance, ice skating with friends in Central Park, having happy hours in cozy wine bars, holiday parties, the lights and decorations that make you feel like an extra in holiday rom-com on your walk to get coffee.
So it’s not all bad. But bundling up is still a must, and there are so many options out there when it comes to buying a new coat. Do you go with a double-breasted wool coat or a classic puffer? Are you into a bold, statement winter jacket, or are you more of a neutral-outwear person? Whatever you’re looking for, I’ve rounded up 30 jackets that are so good I almost didn’t want to share.
Keep scrolling to see the 30 outerwear pieces I’m drooling over.
Here at Who What Wear, we love talking about the latest and greatest fashion trends. However, today I’m not talking about fleeting looks that might decline in popularity any second. I’m not making a case for what to wear merely this season—I’m handpicking the coats you can easily wear for the next 10 winters without worrying about them going out of style.
That’s right: I believe these coat trends will stand the test of time and still be relevant in a decade. How’s that for a solid investment? Scroll down to shop my favorite fall coat trends that will score you major ROI, along with styling ideas for each.
When it comes to fashion in 2022, there’s one thing that I am absolutely certain about: If both Taylor Russell and Hailey Bieber wear the same article of clothing, it’s going viral. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it—simply put, their combined influence is too substantial for something they mutually agree on to not make it big. Right now, the item the two of them can’t get enough of is Loewe’s puffer bomber jacket.
The bubble-like bomber was first seen on the runway at the Spanish fashion brand’s F/W 22 show in green and black leather. The latter colorway has since been spotted on the Bones and All actress and Loewe ambassador on multiple occasions—first at a screening for the film put on by the brand’s creative director, Jonathan Anderson, and again in a viral TikTok. More recently, the nylon option was seen on Bieber, paired with baggy black jeans and her go-to Bottega Veneta Jodie bag, for a date with Justin Bieber.
There’s just one catch. With a price tag that bottoms at $2990 and tops at $7750, Loewe’s sought-after puffer isn’t exactly budget friendly. Luckily, if you’re not ready to indulge in Russell’s and Bieber’s exact jackets, there are plenty of equally covetable bomber jackets on the market right now to shop instead. See my favorites below.
We’re mere weeks away from the first day of winter, so, if you haven’t already, it’s time to start looking for proper gear to brave the chill. Thankfully, fashion’s embrace of the puffer jacket has turned practical outerwear into a style statement.
Sure, you can stick to a plain black puffer, but why not add something bright and colorful to your cold-weather rotation? There are so many elegant and fun options to choose from, like the print-forward styles from The Very Warm to the just-announced collaboration between Reformation and Canada Goose.
Below, we’ve rounded up our favorite puffers in a variety of lengths, patterns and price ranges so you can make a statement this winter.
Columbia Nylon Puffer, $350, available here (sizes XS-XXL)
Reformation x Canada Goose, $1,150, available here (sizes XS-XL)
Hill House The Violet Ruffle Sleeve Puffer Jacket, $375, available here (sizes XS-XXL)
When it comes to everyday dressing, I consider myself somewhat of a minimalist, especially when winter rolls around. Now don’t get me wrong. I love a statement coat just as much as the next person, but I always try to fill my closet with outerwear staples that surpass the trend cycle, go with just about anything, and are actually warm. That said, I’m more apt to reach for a classic camel coat or a cozy teddy on any given day, saving more sartorially daring pieces—like busy prints, non-neutral colors, and unconventional silhouettes—for special occasions.
Looking to stock up on some no-fail classics that you can wear year after year? I scoured the internet for the 25 best winter coats currently for sale. (You’re welcome.) Keep scrolling for your guide to winter’s outerwear essentials, from sweeping wool styles to functional puffer coats and everything in between.
