Women's Winter Coats
It's getting colder, almost time to get out your coat for winter. Women have such a wide range of options for keeping warm, but if you're looking for a new women's winter coat, the variety of styles and manufacturers can be overwhelming. Your coat should be warm, of course, but there's much more to a nice winter coat that just that. Your coat says volumes about who you are, so you want one that make you look and feel great. Let's check out some options.
Since you'll be wearing your coat with different outfits, you should make sure that it is a neutral color like black, brown, gray, or navy. These colors tend to go well with many outfits, making your coat more versatile. A common material for women's winter coats is wool, since it is soft, warm, and durable. Merino wool, cashmere, and camel hair coats are all available, and they all look great while keeping you warm. These days you can also get a stylish synthetic coat.
When dressing for winter, don't forget to layer your clothes. This makes it possible to wear a lighter coat because your bottom layers are keeping you warmer. Depending on the type of coat you're looking for, this can be a huge advantage because the bigger and heavier the coat, the more expensive and bulky it will be.
There are several styles of women's winter coat including the pea coat, a puffer jacket, and trench coats. A pea coat is usually made of wool, has a double breasted front, and goes past the waist. These are popular and stylish coats. A puffer jacket is less fashionable and more functional: it's filled with down or synthetic filler and usually quilted. Often they come with a fur lined collar. Trench coats are heavy, long, and usually waterproof. They're great for wearing over a formal outfit because they're sure to keep you warm, clean, and cozy.
Now let's talk about the functional aspects of winterwear. Do you want your coat to go to your waist, or cover you legs? A longer coat will keep you warmer, but these are bigger, take up more space, and you can only use them when it's very cold outside. If you're looking for something to use during the fall, a women's jacket might be a better choice.
Next, how does the coat button up? Does it have a zipper or just buttons? Keep in mind that a double breasted coat will keep you warmer because air has less of a chance of getting in. Take a look at the cuffs. You want close fitting cuffs to keep your arms warmer. Some coats have an inner cuff with elastic or some similar material to hug your wrists.
Look at how the coat meets your neck. Some coats have collars made of fur. This can look great, but it's not just an aesthetic device. It also helps keep your neck warm, and keeps air from getting inside your coat. Your winter coat should zip or button all the way up to your neck whether or not it has a fur collar. Some women's winter coats even have a detachable hood. This is great for rainy or snowy weather, and helps keep your head warmer when it gets very cold.
The type of liner your coat has will determine how warm it is. Some coats have a detachable liner which can make it easy to use the coat in warmer weather. Others have special material to help moisture evaporate easily while keeping it waterproof. While you're inspecting the liner, check to see what pockets the coat offers. There are usually several on both the outside and inside. These are useful for keeping all sorts of personal belongings, so make sure they're big enough to fit what you need to carry.
If you're looking for a great women's winter coat, check out designs from Armani, Dana Buchman, Kenneth Cole, Diane von Furstenberg, Ralph Lauren, Ellen Tracy, BCBG Max Azria, DNKY, and also Department store brands like JC Penny or Dillards.