Wardrobe Staple no 28 of 33: The Formal Coat

I have only included two winter coat types on this list. The first being the every important Formal Coat. Defined by the ability to layer it over a fabulous suit or gorgeous dress and not make it look sad and dowdy, a formal coat comes in a cashmere or wool blend if you don’t want to opt for something more over the top like a vintage fur or a faux fur. I think a tailored shape can be lovely for this coat, as long as you can still layer a bulky sweater underneath. Heavier than a trench, you want this coat to be thick enough to keep you warm in your favorite little black dress in the dead of winter. Go for a color that suits the fancier side of your wardrobe. Neutrals or a bright color you favor always work. My formal coats are in a few colors, one in navy, one in bright red and one in beige.

Balenciaga and Bottega Veneta are leading the pack with the most extraordinarily designed coats at the moment. Gucci is giving us a revamp on every cool vintage style coat out there but in more luxurious fabrics and finishes. Ssense has every fun and cool designer coat under the sun. Frankie Shop has the over sized tailored coat down to perfection at an easier price point. If you are on a budget, I always recommend Zara. They have better quality and fabrics than many of the other fashion fashion options and the price is always right. Uniqlo is my other budget go to and I have had their cashmere Chesterfield in my closet for years. The J+ collection by Jil Sander is always *chefs kiss, and I also love the U collection & the Ines collaboration.