Let’s Get Bundled

The one thing us Chicagoans all seem to want is a warm winter coat, but one that’s actually stylish…and doesn’t make us look like a marshmallow. It’s something I struggled with in the past but either designers have really stepped up their game in the outerwear department or I’ve gotten really good at finding stylish winter coats (perhaps a little bit of both?) This is a secret I simply cannot keep to myself. So if you’re freezing your ass off right now, this should be able to help.

When I first checked the weather this morning it was 11 degrees. By the time I left for an 8am meeting, it was a balmy 15 degrees. Did that stop me? No. Because I have a really cool shearling and leather coat that weighs at least five pounds and is the most practical / awesome purchase I have ever made. The other day, I had a few friends ask me where they can get warm coats that are nice enough to wear out (because a puffer and a cocktail dress just do not mix, my friends). So I did a little research, and thought I should make a whole day out of it (well, a whole post out of it).

It can be difficult to tell when shopping online because something might appear to be warm but once you receive it, it’s much lighter than you expected. I do most of my shopping on this thing we call the Internet, so when it comes to this sort of thing I always look at the material first. Of course, shearling is always a winner. You can’t be cold in shearling, although this Polar Vortex might challenge that theory. Wool and cashmere are always good options…also having something longer (at least to your knees) will help. A hood is always a bonus, but for some reason finding an awesome coat with a hood is a rare occasion (which is why if you find one of these gems, you better add to cart ASAP). Overall, just stay away from the puffer coats. It’s always good to have one around, but it’s even better to have something you can wear from running errands on the weekends to work and even out at night. All-in-one outerwear does exist. And it’s glorious!

And if you’re looking for a coat that really does it all, stick to neutrals so you can wear them with as much of your wardrobe as possible. I usually opt for black, grey and navy (although I might have a temporary thing for tan coats) but whatever you do, think about making an investment. Unless you live in LA or Miami, it’s not necessarily worth it to invest in a coat but living in New York or Chicago, or anywhere that is frigid most of the year…having a quality coat is a game-changer. Personally, I’ve just never found super cheap coats that can actually survive a Chicago winter. And if they can, they more than likely only survive one…because they’re long and really take a toll on our wardrobe. Mackage is a great brand if you want to make an investment but not go into the quadruple digits. If you really want to go for it, though, Chloe and Altuzarra made some killer outerwear this season (pictured above). Fingers crossed they’ll be discounted once the sales start in the next month or so.

If you want to be warm and look great this winter, these should do the trick.

Images via Vogue & Style.com