Your Winter Coat: Pick the Perfect Wrapping!

December 9, 2009

Keep warm this winter by wrapping yourself in a stylish jacket. Just like wrapping paper on a present, the jacket you wear says a lot about what is inside! Make sure these messages are in sync. You wouldn't put Happy Birthday paper on a holiday present. A gift wrapped in newspaper looks like the giver either ran out of paper (not prepared) or the gift isn't quite that special.

Take a look around you and you will soon notice a miss-match of coats with outfits and people that don't work together. Are you wearing your nice skirt suit with your puffy parka? That's a mis-match. Is your jacket dirty or ready to fall apart at the seams? It could be making you look dated and disorganized.

The good news is that jackets will go on sale right after the holidays so be sure to take inventory of what you need and get yourself prepared for the rest of the season. Here are a few good types of coats that will get you through most of winter's cool occasions.

Wool Coat: This is the staple that goes with your suits and dresses. A 3/4 length version is most versitile because you can easily dress it up or down. If you are blessed with long legs then a floor length one can be fun and dramatic for your dressier occasions. Most people gravitate towards neutral colors like black, grey and tan. This is a safe bet, but if you want to spice it up, try rich dark colors like eggplant. Light colors like baby blue or pink aren't professional looking, so avoid these colors for your work wear. If you are on a budget and can't afford more than one coat this year, this is the one for you!

The Puffer or Parka: There aren't many people in cold weather states that don't own one of these. While these coats will definitely keep you warm in the coolest of conditions, they are meant for those more casual occasions. They are perfect for a day in the park, watching a football game or running errands, not for professional wear or special occasions.

The Jacket: A jacket is simply a shorter version of a coat. Almost all jackets are meant for more casual occasions. Made out of everything from cordoroy to wool to leather, your jacket is a great staple for most all your casual occasions. Cropped versions expose more of your outfit and can really add to it. Think of your jacket as an accessory and it can be a lot of fun!

Special Occasion Coat: A coat that perhaps has a finer fabric like the one in the picture above. I have one that has a timeless lace overlay that seems to work with most dresses. Many of these coats have fun details that almost make them an outfit on their own. These coats are fun and can really make you stand out in a crowd when everyone is wearing something more traditional. The downside is that they may not always keep you the warmest.

Faux Fur Jackets & Wraps: A fun additon for the person who wants to change it up! Faux fur can make you feel glamourous and work well with eveything from a pair of jeans to an evening dress. Wraps are a great option if you only need to hop from the valet to the the door.

posted by: Milena Joy