Winter Coats: Don’t Be Left Out in the Cold!
Kansas City winters can be bitter cold one day and mildly warm the next. It’s like a fun guessing game because you never really know what the weather is going to bring! With spontaneous weather forecasts there’s a need for a more focused outerwear wardrobe to weather the elements and your own lifestyle. Look through my outerwear checklist and find the ones that are best for you and your wardrobe!
The Classic Wool Coat
Single breasted, double breasted or tie waist, all three of these styles work as a dress coat. This is the perfect coat for a sophisticated style. And if you want to bump up your casual wardrobe, don’t be afraid to wear a wool coat with your jeans and sneakers or even (gasp) athleisure! My favorite is a classic camel that hits below the knee, classic and warm. But I am also loving all of the heritage prints that are trending for a more out-of-the-box vintage look.
The Puffer Coat
Short or long, puffer coats are a huge staple for Kansas City winters. If you run from one activity to the next, a shorter one is easy to throw on and will still keep you warm. If you get cold easily like me, choose the longer length to keep you cozier. I swear by my North Face® Metropolis coat. It has kept me warm for over four years now! Don’t love the overstuffed marshmallow look of a puffer? Look for the lightweight down coats. Depending on the fill power, there are some types of thin-looking down coats that are just as warm as a thick puffer!
The Teddy Coat
The Teddy coat, also called the shearling coat, is a style for the trendier gal. You will see them in short cropped styles or long overcoat styles. This high-pile cozy coat that looks similar to a teddy bear is perfect to wear dressed up or casual. Beware the overly cropped style or the just-too-bulky style. They come in a lot of colors, but my favorite is the classic teddy bear brown.
Quick Coat Shopping Tip
Buying the wrong size coat can be a real bummer. Make sure to use the “10 and 2 trick.” Try the coat on over something heavier such as a sweater or blazer. Button or zip the coat and place your hands at 10:00 and 2:00. Check to make sure that it isn’t too tight in the arms and that the fabric is lying flat across the shoulders and back. ■
Written by: Abby Wood
Abby Wood is a wardrobe stylist and style blogger in Kansas City, and her education in design plus retail experience make her an expert in fit, fabric, style and trends. Her professional experience in fashion began with an apprenticeship with a bridal designer, shifted to creating and showing her own line, moving up to management and training at a retail level and now professional styling as an independent consultant. Abby loves to help individuals develop and evolve their own sense of style.
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