bundle up

well, if winter has to come again this year, at least we can be chic about it.

here's ten fun coats i like this season. 

under $100: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5
under $225: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

how great is that navy blue coat from h&m (#4, under $100)? the pleating and the belt make it so awesome.

in winter's past, i've gone with a cobalt coat and loved it. think i might do the same this year. the little puffed sleeves on that banana republic number (#4, under $225) are calling me.

spring outerwear

i can't wait until i can take my winter coats to the dry cleaners and store them away forever.

the weather here in dc is all over the place this time of year, but right now it seems to be hovering around "too damn cold for march" and "why isn't it warmer?"

i grew up in the south and i have no patience this time of year.

_ _ _

there's all kinds of fun outerwear that works for spring. 

here's some of my picks for the most anticipated season of the year.  

leather/faux leather: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
trench coats: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
casual wear: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
statement makers: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

i'm a little partial to the statement makers, but i really love all of these jackets.

now, i just have to purchase one. or two. 

puff puff

1 | 2 | 3

a while back, i did a very necessary post about jackets. now that it's (kind of?) cooler out, i wanted to sing the praises of the belted puffer coat once again. 

here's three reasons why they rule:

i drive to work these days. but for years, i took metro. i've also been a bus rider. when it comes down to really staying toasty and dry on the commute, a puffer jacket wins out over wool every time. 

i love my wool coats, but i'm glad retailers are making these belted weatherproof varieties. because as warm as puffers are, they can be really shapeless and sad looking when there's no definition at the waist. 

oh. and also:

thank you, target.

if cold weather ever comes to dc, you can bet i'll be wearing one. 

we go together

to be perfectly honest, it's a bit early to be thinking about coats.

but around this time of year, when fall is just around the corner and summer's coming to a close, i get the itch to go on a internet-fueled coat hunt.

i'm not adding anything to my cart quite yet, but in august and september, i like to start looking around online. 

_ _ _

winter is my least favorite season. i hate being cold, even temporarily.

and usually, by the time it's march, the sight of my winter coat makes me insane. i'm sick of looking at it. i'm sick of it being the constant in every outfit. but winter's not going anywhere. and i've found that if you look for coats that go beyond basic colors or that have interesting shape or details, it's a bit more bearable to wear almost daily for three months. 

_ _ _

last year, when i started adding my grandmother's brooch to my outerwear, i loved it. it's such an interesting, not overdone way to personalize a coat that thousands of other women will own. 

right now, i have two coats that are in heavy rotation -- one cobalt, one navy with some pretty details. i didn't buy one last year, and it's probably time for a new one. 

so i thought i'd share my coat hunting results. and to switch it up from last year, i've added some pretty brooch pairings.

all sets available here

again, i probably won't buy anything yet, but it helps me to look early. to organize my thoughts.

i'm also inclined to spend a bit more money on coats since you wear them so frequently and the elements can be harsh on fabric.

you don't need to spend a lot on brooches though. most antique stores have loads of them and they're usually not expensive.

_ _ _

adding a brooch or pin just helps these already unique coats stand even more.

that winter skin and static electricity? 

i can't help you with that.

that's between you and the old man himself.