Ah, winter. It comes so fast and stays so long, and keeping your wardrobe up to par during the months of sleet and snow presents a challenge as formidable as the weather. During these harsh times the item in your closet that should matter most is your coat. You’ll be wearing it every day, with many different outfits, and for many different occasions.

Tis’ the season to invest in a piece that you will love, and that will last through the cold and keep you looking hot.

Feminine Tweed

With designers like Diane von Furstenberg catering to the young, fashionable, conservative trend, coats have made a strong foray into the style setting realm of a personal wardrobe. Choosing what to wear on top of your everyday outfit is as important as what you’re putting on under it. It’s the first thing people will see you wearing, and the last thing you put on as you walk out the door.

This coat, with its ruffle detail, high collar, and tweed pattern make it a perfect every day addition while remaining stylized enough to add interest and intrigue to a pair of simple black slacks and boots. The material is heavy enough to withstand a stroll through a winter wonderland, yet it’s dressy enough to take you to an office Christmas party over your red cocktail number, or to church on Sunday over your coordinated tweed suit.

Though its frilly extras make it suitable for a simple ensemble, it’s tame enough to dress up with a furry hat and leather gloves, or even a black leather belt around the waist to pull it tighter and keep you warmer. The high collar omits the need for a scarf, and gives you the freedom to strap on a messenger bag and be on your way, looking put together in the cold outdoors.

STYLE TIP:  With a mid-thigh length coat, a number of options for the bottom half of your outfit are possible. Keep it conservatively chic with slim trousers and an ankle boot, or take it a step further with leggings and over the knee boots. Which ever path you choose, keep pants on the forefront. A skirt and tights threaten to take the feminine touch a bit too far, and complicate the already detailed look.

It’s All Good in the Hood

Nothing feels as cute and cozy as a roomy wool toggle coat with a large luxe hood. This option from Foley and Corinna is definitely a more casual approach to outwear, but still stylish in a laid back way that lets your play more with other parts of your outfit. The A-line cut allows for skinny pants and wedge boots, and can add a fresh, younger take on a pencil skirt, tights, and heels.

The less fitted style of this coat makes winter layering easy, and gives you the chance to wear that great oversized sweater with out ruining it in inclement weather. A toggle detail always adds an element of prep, harkening to the ever popular menswear inspired trend that will always make a coat appear practical, durable, and appropriate for winter.

A hood is an indispensable extra-not only does it make for a cute built in accessory, most of the time its a necessity! Grab some gloves, and you’re pretty and prepared for blizzard season.

STYLE TIP: If a light color like cream or beige beckons fear of drycleaning bills and embarrassing stains, navy blue or army green work just as well in this style coat.  Both colors remain loyal to the roots of this toggle trend, while still mixing seamlessly with the muted tones of winter clothing.

Shearling Inspiration

To all girls at one time or another, Amelia Earheart was a vision of inspiration, both for the idea that women could do anything men could, and look stylish and chic while doing it. Her shearling lined leathers  and pilot color palette of army green, brown, and beige have been used time and time again as a jumping off point for designer collections.

Now, after Burberry’s major fall round-up of straight up reinterpretations of Amelia’s iconic jacket, shearling and leather have come together to create a coat that every woman wants, and should, wear.

This style from Vince. sold at Bloomingdale’s, provides all the hallmarks of a shearling leather jacket; the motorcycle detailing on the cuffs and front, and the cropped, fitted style complete with a discreet zipper that opens up a wide collar, to be worn up for warmth and down for style.

This jacket is not for the faint of heart, and requires a bit of panache to pull off successfully, but keep in mind that it’s warm, and though bulky to the touch, once on the body it creates a sleek shape around the waist and neckline. The edgier feel to this look can be played up with jeans and a pair of great motorcycle buckle boots, or played down with simple slacks and brogues. However you choose to wear it, own it. Amelia would be proud.

STYLE TIP: Layering on top underneath a jacket with so much personality means keeping it simple. A great black cashmere turtleneck contrasts well with the cream color of the shearling, while adding a little extra warmth when you want to wear the collar down.

Wrapped Up Elegance

To the discerning fashion eye, there is much to take from the difference between a warm cute jacket and a ladylike, fashionable coat.  The trend towards conservative fashion takes top form in a knee length wrap coat, perfect for church, lunch dates, and daily trips to the office.

This coat from Barbara Tfank, in a beautiful slate grey with an offsetting fur collar makes for the perfect ending to a pair of pumps and tight donned legs.  The simple details in the cut and exposed seams in the front suggest the highest quality tailoring, while the tie and the fur collar keep it a bit more casual and fun.  This coat will take you through many a season of snow and cold, keeping you chic even when it seems impossible to go outside.

STYLE TIP: If you’re looking to add a bit more personal style to this look, opt for a different tie belt.  A belted style in contrasting brown leather (make sure it doesn’t clash with your bottom half!) or even a silk scarf on those days when its too cold to snow works in favor of this vintage inspired wrap trend.

Soldier On

The military trend is here to stay, and what better way to keep in step with it through the winter than with a classic coat adorned with just enough trendy detail to set you apart from all the other boring pea coats in the pod.

This DvF coat is the best of all this trend has to offer, while still remaining wearable and functional. It’s slim fitted tailoring through the waist transitions to a bit of a fuller cut around the hips, remaining true to its British high street roots even more with the pointed down collar, contrasting black accents, and sweet silver buttons that remind us stateside residents of Nutcracker dolls and little boy soldiers.

But, enough with the reminiscing. This coat is the quintessential classic piece to tie any ho-hum look together. It’s sleek, refined, and just a bid edgy, with enough detail to keep it interesting over the work day’s black pantsuit, or add spirit to a cocktail dress, tights, and heels. The just above the knee length keeps this look from becoming to overpowering, and the cream color lightens up the strict military feel. Soldier on in warmth, style, and class.

STYLE TIP: Though this style is a bit busy, it’s clean and sharp enough to support a great black cashmere scarf, sleek black leather gloves, and even a wool cap. Embrace the details of the coat and play them up with paired down accessories to add warmth a touch of personal flair.

Camel Cool

If there is a color of the fall/winter season, it’s undoubtedly the smooth hue of camel. All over runways and sidewalks alike, thanks to its push to the forefront by influential designers, a proper camel coat is the easiest, most stylish way to transition from fall’s cool days to winter’s temperamental weather.

A modern updated version of what was once a dated look is secured in Alexander Wang’s fresh interpretation of the camel classic. The collarless neck and seamed pockets lend this piece its classic polo coat feel, and strategic, hidden side slits make it an optimal choice for conscious fashionistas who treat buying a winter coat as a chance to make a long term investment in their wardrobe.

This coat’s trendy color may be its most attractive and versatile feature, as you cannot mismatch with a neutral camel; yet the innovative details and sleek appearance of the coat make it incredibly wearable and timeless.

STYLE TIP: Add a black cashmere scarf and a dramatic smoky eye to complete the 60′s gamine look; or combine the camel with other neutrals like grey and cream for perfect minimal chic.

Weather Proof Perfect

Sometimes during the winter the idea of going outside in anything less than a snowsuit is daunting. These times of blizzards and bitterness call for a jacket that fully plays its part.

A perfect puffy coat is an ideal winter wardrobe item, and though it may not be what you want  to wear everyday, its worth the minor investment to stay warm and looking cool in an option like this from Ports 1961. It’s knee length double ended zipper allows for the option of full coverage while still allowing you to trudge through snowbanks or city sidewalks en route to a warmer destination, and the double collar provides a second option for optimal warmth.

Tack on the hood, and you’ve got a weather proof jacket in a stylish sheen grey that keeps you ahead of winter’s unpredictable weather game and on top of the “I don’t care about trends I just want to stay warm” trend that plows through suburbanites and fashionistas alike come bleak mid January. Sacrificing comfort is not necessary with a sleek puffer, bring on the snowflakes and hot chocolate!

STYLE TIP: All you need to cap off your winter weather look is the perfect pair of inclement weather boots.  Whether you choose classic wellies or fleece lined snow boots, you’ll be fully prepared in practical cool gear.

You want a coat to see you through winter’s seemingly endless weather, one that you will love to wear and be excited to unpack next season. Each of these coats represents a modern twist on an ultimate classic style, assuring that you will feel current now and timeless in years to come. The coat is the discerning showpiece of a wardrobe, a representation of self and style.

Whichever style you choose, be daring, transcending, and always be true to yourself!