The best winter coats for women this season and how to choose a coat

As the weather cools down in the Northern hemisphere it’s time to think about the best winter coats for women to suit your style!

A great coat is an essential element of your style in cold weather and it’s one of the most important buying decisions you will make this season. A good coat can truly elevate any look – as well as keep you warm, of course.  

Why choosing a great coat is important for your style

A coat can set your style mood or even pull your look together on a day that you don’t really feel like dressing up so much.

A good coat will also make an entrance and leave an impression. Plus, you will wear it many times over the season.

Enough good reasons to buy a really good one! Let’s explore how to choose a coat and select the right one for your style!

What are the essential coats and best women’s coats for your wardrobe?

The essential coats will be different for each person as we all have different style personalities, lifestyles and comfort levels.

You also need to determine if you want to have multiple coats or go for a one-coat-suits-everything solution.

Ideally though, you will have multiple coats in your wardrobe as it’s difficult to find a coat that would be ideal for all situations.

Below are some great coat trends for Fall 2023, including many which incorporate the best fall 2023 coat trends.

Below are my suggestions for a ladies winter coats wardrobe:

1. One regular coat that you wear during the day.

This would be your most regularly worn coat. When thinking about the best winter coats for women to choose from, this coat should be your priority.

The ideal length would be around knee-height or mid-thigh. You can choose a casual coat or something dressier, depending on your style personality.

2. A super chic, versatile coat

When thinking about the best winter coats for women, choose a coat that will be your go-to to wear over evening wear, or for dressy occasions. You could think about a shorter faux fur coat, for example (which you could also wear with jeans) or you could choose a swing coat to follow the lines of your dress.

3. Best winter coats for women: A more casual coat

Look for a coat which will be more casual for the weekends. This will be perfect for weekend strolls. Usually, this one will be shorter.

4. A warm parka or short pea coat

This could give your wardrobe extra flexibility and would look great worn with jeans. This one will be great when heading out for walks or running errands.

5. A raincoat or trenchcoat

Unless you live somewhere where the seasons are all pretty much the same, you will want a coat which isn’t too heavy in weight, but which can make sure you stay dry.

This will be ideal for transitioning from summer to fall, or from winter to spring and is definitely among the styles of best winter coats for women.

The trench coat makes almost every essential items list by celebrity stylists since it’s just so timeless.

This coat could last you a long time and is great for those in-between seasons.

The trench coat is one of our picks in this piece on the 33 essential pieces every woman over 40 needs in her closet.

Women’s coats you can combine

1, 2 and 3 could be combined as well as 3 and 4 if your budget is limited or you prefer a smaller coat wardrobe.

If you are like me, you may want to add one really current and fashionable coat which you could use for either your number 1 or 2 coat.

Some questions to ask yourself when buying a women’s coat

Am I happy to invest in quality?

A good coat can last you several years so it is often worth it to buy one of great quality.

You may choose to go for lower quality when it comes to very fashionable coats.

To determine the quality, check the lining and finishes of the coat. They are usually good indicators.

Carelia @carelia_medich above (read her style interview here) opts for a military style coat in a beautiful cobalt blue shade.

Check out this similar turtleneck top, shirt, coat (another option here), pants, pumps, bag, hat, earrings and sunglasses.

Best winter coats for women: Do I want something timeless or trendy?

The smaller your budget the wiser it is to choose a coat that is more timeless and classic. However, you could always opt for a more expensive timeless coat and a lower-budget trendy option.

What is the main function of my coat?

• How practical does my coat need to be?
• Will I be sitting a lot while wearing it?
• Will I ride a bike?
• Or will this coat mainly be for evenings out and walking?

Clearly, have the function of the coat in mind when you are considering the best winter coats for women and what will work for you.

It’s very important to have coats that make you feel comfortable and do their job well.

When you have a lot of evening events, it’s good to have at least one good 3-quarter-length coat that will fit well over your dresses.

What will I wear underneath?

• Will it have to accommodate bulky sweaters? (very trendy this season)
• Will it cover my longer skirts?
• Can I still wear it with a lighter jacket or blazer underneath if I want to?

Be sure to have at least one coat that easily accommodates a jacket underneath.

Although it’s not necessary that your skirts are completely covered these days, you may still like to have one long coat that does as it’s a very clean and stylish look.

Read our ultimate guide to creating a capsule wardrobe that works best for you.

What are the weather conditions in which I will wear this coat?

• How thick does the coat need to be?
• Do I get cold easily?
• Will I be wearing it a lot outside?
• Or will it mainly be used in already heated trains or buses?

Similar to the question above, but really consider the thickness of the coat here.

Psyche @economyofstyle above opts for a quilted, long-line coat with a belt. It’s not too thick, but will keep her warm and she can change the silhouette by choosing the fasten the belt.

Recreate her outfit with this similar coat, pants, sneakers, scarf and sunglasses.

Do I want to make a statement or blend in? Do I dare to take a risk with a color or pattern?

Although it’s good to always have one black or very neutral coat, you don’t need three of those.

We have often expressed our wish for more colorful and unusual coats on this site.

Even if you are normally a neutral person, a colored coat would make a really good addition and fit well with all your neutral outfits and this year there are lots of print and bold colored coats in stores.

We need to brighten up those dark streets in winter ladies!

What shape of coat or winter jackets for women should you go for?

When choosing a coat it’s good to consider your body type. Try to determine where the bulk of the coat is and how that affects your figure. The best winter coats for women will be different from one woman to the next.

You will want your coat to skim over any areas you aren’t so keen on and highlight those parts of your figure that you like.

Below are the main shapes of women’s coats to choose from as well as some ideas about current trends and colors to opt for:

1. Almost straight coat

This type of coat will skim your body, flowing straight down, rather than nipping in at the waist.

That’s not to say, however, that you can’t add some interest with the color you choose, or the shape of the coat collar.

This kind of style is ideal for daytime, especially the shorter versions.

But, it can still look very chic and can be dressed up for a special occasion too.

The Boden coat (below) will add a statement color to your Winter and Fall outfits.

Boden Canterbury Textured Coat

2. Dress coats for women – a tailored coat for dressy days and evening

Dressy coats are usually more tailored. They can have a straight or a-shape silhouette.

Or you could opt for a more retro style like the swing coat, which nips in at the waist and would be idea over a flared skirt.

Choose a fabric that is not too thick to maintain a sleek clean line and make sure your coat closely follows the contours of your body.

You may want to go for a coat with a flared skirt for added drama, or perhaps take inspiration from tailored menswear.

If you prefer the menswear-inspired coats which are very on-trend now, there are more below for you!

Ted Baker London Roseika Midi Wool Wrap Coat With Full Skirt

3. Menswear-inspired coats

A menswear-inspired coat can look very stylish for so many occasions.

You could opt to wear over a more feminine dress to play on the contrast or you could simply wear over jeans and a sweater with booties or loafers.

For added style points, you could combine two trends in one by opting for a menswear inspired style combined with an on-trend print such as plaid.

An oversized or menswear inspired piece can (believe or not) make your look more polished.

The classic cuts (and in many ways the neutral hues) have a way of pulling a look together with very minimal effort.

Style tip: With such classic and masculine cuts, do not be afraid to create a flattering contrast by selecting very feminine pieces to accompany your cut, or selecting a menswear inspired piece in fascinating prints and shades.

Boden Relaxed-Fit Checked Coat

9. Women’s trench coat

The classic trench is always chic and is frequently recommended as an essential wardrobe piece by many stylists.

It never goes out of a style and you can’t go wrong with the standard three-quarter camel version but shorter versions are very practical and chic too.

Go for a well-tailored cut that fits your body well without too many embellishments, but make sure it has a belt.

Mango Waterproof Double Breasted Trench Coat

Eileen @eileenternullo above opts for a classic, neutral outfit.

Get her look with this similar top, trench coat, pants, slingback pumps, tote, cap and sunglasses.

5. Women’s belted coats

Belted coats are chic and comfortable and often very figure flattering on many women.

Apple shaped women may want to opt for a slim tailored coat without a belt that creates a similar effect but will often look better as it will skim over the belly.

Whether you leave your belt hanging loose in an askew-but-chic look, tie it right at the center, or get creative with an off-center tie, belted coats and jackets are a classic piece.

Style tip: When belting short coats or jackets, make sure the jacket is well fitting and sleek. Any additional material will create a bulkier silhouette, which might not be the most flattering look.

Massimo Dutti Belted Wool Blend Robe Coat

6. Ladies long coat

If you are taller, you can also opt for longer coats, which are currently very fashionable and can add drama to your look.

Shorter women should be careful with this coat style as it can overwhelm them. They often look better with a shorter coat.

COS Oversized Rounded Wool Coat

There is more advice here on how to dress if you’re petite.

7. Ladies leather jacket

A leather coat is a great addition to your coat wardrobe. Great to make a classic outfit more edgy or practical for the weekends.

A great advantage is that you can wear a light leather coat both indoors as well as on warmer fall or winter days.

You could opt for a classic black moto jacket or a bright shade to get you noticed.

If you already have a black biker in your closet, you could look for a different color, such as burgundy, navy or olive. Take a look here at the most on-trend colors for fall 2023.

AllSaints Dalby Leather Biker Jacket

You could also opt for a longer leather coat, rather than the usual shorter, moto style.

Steve Madden Ilia Faux Leather Trench Coat

You can check out our list of the best leather jackets for women that you can wear with everything!

8. cashmere

If you’re happy to invest in your coat, then look out for luxurious, natural fabrics like cashmere, which will feel great against your skin.

ANINE BING Cashmere Blend Dylan Coat

9. quilted

For warmth and casual style, a quilted style will go well with all of your weekend outfits.

Cole Haan Knee Length Hooded Quilted Down Coat

Josephine @chicatanyage above (read her style interview here) chooses a warm, quilted style for her evening walk.

Steal her look with this similar coat, turtleneck top, leggings, boots and crossbody bag.

10. Short coats

Short coats are very practical and can be very hip. Choose something that is slightly tailored or has a bit of an edge. A short coat can look great styled with high-waisted wide leg pants as this is a look that can make your legs look longer.

Ted Baker London Rosess Wool Wrap Short Coat

11. Warmest winter coats for women

If you are looking for a coat which is very practical to give you extra warmth, you may want to opt for a quilted piece.

This can, obviously, add extra bulk to your look, so I would keep the rest of your pieces streamlined. The Orolay coat (below) is fleece lined, comes in six colors and has great reviews. Wears say it is like wearing a cozy blanket.

Orolay Thickened Fleece Lined Coat

11. Women’s parka coats

Practical and handy for weekends and great for keeping you warm, but be mindful that puffy thick parkas will add bulk.

The most flattering parkas are usually tailored at the waist.

Utility style jackets and parkas are the epitome of not overthinking your outerwear.

If you’re looking to keep it casual, go with well fitting jeans or leggings that complement your coat or jacket of choice.

A skin tone complimenting shade (the army green is one option), instantly gives off a casual chic look that is hard to miss.

Style tip: To amp up your look, pair your parka with select luxe pieces (like tailored slim/straight leg black pants and eye catching shoes).

Kate Spade New York Down Parka

12. Ladies hooded winter coats

You may wish to have a hooded coat so you can pull up your hood for extra warmth, and protection against the elements.

A coat with a fur hood can be cozy if you live in a climate which is particularly cold. You can wear it with jeans and any pair of winter boots.

I would look for a coat which is slightly tailored at the waist to flatter your figure.

WenVen Thickened Puffer Coat

14. Women’s red coat

If you really want a color to make you stand out from the crowd, what could be better than red? A red coat will give oomph to even the most casual or neutral of outfits.

Karen Millen Italian Wool Hourglass Coat

15. SHACKETS

Overshirts made of thicker material so they serve as a coat are particularly on trend right now. You can buy them in longer shirt-jacket hybrids, or “shacket” and a shorter version.

Wear the long shacket open to create nice, long lines. A shorter shacket looks good worn with another of this season’s trends, wide-leg pants.

Avec Les Filles Longline Midweight Shirt Jacket

AllSaints Rosey Houndstooth Shirt Jacket

More things to talk about when choosing your coat

Which colors should you choose? Should you always opt for a women’s black winter coat?

It’s always good to have at least one neutral coat in your wardrobe or perhaps two.

A black or dark navy coat is very practical in climates where the weather is wet or unpredictable.

Be sure to have a good assortment of brighter colored or light scarves though to brighten up your face.

I also love the look and sophistication of a cream or light colored coat. This can be very chic for both the day and evening.

I would definitely encourage you to add a colored coat as well.

Choose one in a color that suits you well. They are much easier to wear than you might imagine and they will make lots of impact on your style.

How do I fit a coat?

You will want to buy a high-quality coat that will last you several seasons, therefore a perfect fit is crucial! Here are some pointers to get it right.

• Be sure to get a good fit from the shoulders. It should hang straight down.
• Make sure there is enough room through the armholes.
• Make sure that any seams, pleats, closures or pockets lie flat and that the hem is even.
• Coats with full arm lengths should cover the wrists.
• Close the coat completely and make sure it does not pull anywhere.
• Make sure you can move around in your coat comfortably. Walk a bit and sit down and ensure that the fit and weight suit you.

More styles of coats

1. animal print

Animal print is always on trend. A leopard print coat would look good with a simple white shirt and jeans, or you could wear over your favorite little black dress.

Boden Canterbury Interest Coat

Or, you could opt for a black and white style like the AllSaints double-breasted coat (below).

AllSaints Mabel Double Breasted Monochrome Coat

Natalia @odin.stylish.me above chooses a short, faux fur animal print jacket with her red dress.

Steal her look with this similar dress, boots, coat (another option here) and tote.

2. floral

Floral coats are a big trend for the winter and fall 2023 season. Opt for bold prints and keep the rest of your outfit relatively simple. You could choose a floral coat worn over a black outfit.

GUESS Double Breasted Trench Coat

3. quilted trench

There were lots of quilted styles on the fall 2023 catwalks, but any quilting or padding can add unwanted bulk. Look out for options that nip in at the waist or which have a belt for a flattering silhouette.

Barbour Rosalind Quilted Belted Trench Coat

4. faux fur collar

If you don’t want a full-on faux fur look, you could always add a little fur – and keep your neck warm – with a faux fur collar.

Vince Camuto Double Breasted Coat with Removable Faux Fur Collar

5. Faux fur

Fur stoles, fur on shoes, fur on gloves, fur coats, fur and shearling were everywhere on the Fall 2023 catwalks.

If you are feeling creative and experimental, select a bright and bold hue or you could choose a neutral shade.

Style tip: If you like the idea of fur but aren’t feeling too bold, go with a neutral shade in a classic cut that will last you season after season. You could add a shorter faux fur coat over your eveningwear.

Ted Baker London Lilimma Longline Faux Fur Coat

6. shearling

Shearling is having a style moment for the new fall season. Choose a coat with a shearling collar or lining to keep you cozy.

Levi’s Faux Shearling Long Coat

Claudia @glamupyourlifestyle above (read her style interview here) chooses an all-neutral outfit but keeps it interesting by adding a fur texture.

Recreate her outfit with this similar coat, sweater set, boots and handbag.

7. wide collar

A wide collar can add drama to your look. This is a particularly good style if you have narrow shoulders as it can create the illusion of width, or if you have a pear-shaped figure because it can balance out wider hips. The TAHARI coat (below) comes in a good choice of neutrals.

TAHARI Double Face Wool Blend Wrap Coat with Oversized Collar

8. lightweight coat

If you want a quilted coat without adding a lot of weight, then the Mango hooded coat (below) is a lightweight choice. It’s an oversized style, so keep the rest of your look streamlined.

Mango Hooded Quilted Coat

9. printed coat

If you want to make a statement with your coat, then choosing a bright color is a great option. So too is choosing a standout print like the chain link style (below).

Ann Taylor Link Wool Blend Stand Collar Coat

10. Women’s suede jacket

Yes, the material and coat style reminiscent of the 70s is very much still on trend.

Choose a longer style or a moto jacket – both are on trend. You can wear a suede moto over your summer dresses so you can wear them for longer in the year as the weather cools down.

Boden Collared Suede Jacket

11. Cape coat

Capes are still the rage this fall and instantly upgrade your look (from wearing over sheath dresses to your most distressed jeans).

Take a glance at a how to wear a poncho or cape for more inspiration.

Karen Millen Popper Detail Knit Cape

12. Sleeveless jacket

Sleeveless coats and jackets seem to be almost counter-intuitive when thinking about keeping the chill away.

However, achieving the sleeveless outerwear look while keeping warm is possible.

The goal here is to make sure you select pieces underneath that do a great job of keeping you warm without adding bulk (think cashmere or thinner wool pieces).

Think of your sleeves as an interchangeable aspect of your look. More so, you can dress up the look with luxe cashmere turtlenecks or opt for a dressed down sweater-like sleeve.

Lydia @birabiro above (read her style interview here) adds a sleeveless trench to her jeans and striped top.

Check out this similar sleeveless trench coat, top, jeans, flats, crossbody bag and earrings.

Style tip: Embrace the sleeveless look by creating a new style every time you wear it.

Michael Kors Tie Belt Oversize Wool Blend Vest

There are more ideas here on why you need a sleeveless vest in your closet.

13. high neck

High neck styles featured on many of the designer catwalks this year. This style can look very modern and, of course, keep your neck warm without you needing to wear a scarf.

Karen Millen Italian Wool Forever Notch Neck Midi Coat

14. military inspired

Another top trend for this fall and winter is the military inspired coat. The military coat classic military-style buttons.

Karen Millen Italian Wool Double Breasted Midi Coat

15. pea coat

Pea coats are short, double-breasted styles, so they can add width. This makes them a good choice if you want to wear them with a more streamlined look underneath.

Boden Wool Blend Coat

Which coat will you buy this season? What do you consider to be among the best winter coats for women? How do you choose a coat? Which coats do you (wish you) have in your wardrobe?

Which coat is right for you when thinking about the best winter coats for women depends on all the points we have discussed above.

We hope this article answered all or most of your questions on how to choose a coat. We’d love to hear about your own favorite coats for winter and fall.

If you are looking for one right now then happy shopping!

shop the best winter coats here:

What kind of coat will add to your wardrobe this season?

Continue reading:

1. Coats For Fall 2023: 12 Beautiful Coat Trends To Update Your Outerwear For The New Season
2. How To Fit A Blazer – A Comprehensive Guide On How To Select The Right Blazer
3. How To Wear A Trench Coat And The Best Trench Coats In Stores Now

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Feature image by Claudia @glamupyourlifestyle

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