Every classy woman should have the goal of building a timeless wardrobe of quality-made pieces that can be worn for years to come, this of course includes classic jackets + coats to complete her overall look. I'm taking the guess work out of which types of coats to invest in by sharing with you: '10 Jackets Every Classy Woman Should Own'. While it's true that you may be able to get away without owning a few of these, I can guarantee that times will pop up in life where you will wish you had them on hand and you'll realize what a perfect complement to your outfit they would be as well as the most appropriate choice for where you're headed. As you're adding to your closet over time, start with the jackets that make the most sense for your current everyday lifestyle, then add the others in as time and money permit.
Whenever possible, always buy the best quality that you can afford at the time. When comparing, consider the materials used, being mindful of what needs to be dry cleaned. If it's a light colored cotton coat, you could be spending quite a lot more for regular cleanings. When choosing a color, remember that neutral tones will be much more versatile and will therefore give you the most return on your investment. Look inside the jacket,high quality coats and jackets will always be fully lined, usually with a beautiful complementary fabric and color (it may also have a fun burst of color as a contrast). When inspecting the workmanship, ensure there are no loose buttons or threads hanging and that stitching appears to be sturdy and taut. When trying on any jacket, make sure to button it up all the way as well as leave it opened up to see how comfortable it is. Try sitting down in the jacket and also moving your arms to reach, bend down and see how tight it is across the back and shoulders, paying attention that the arm length is appropriate and meets your wrist. Sleeves that are too long can always we tailored if you happen upon an amazing jacket otherwise-they should be slightly longer than your wrist when arms are at your sides. Lastly, a coat is an investment, fit is paramount, do try any jackets on with a variety of layers. In colder months thick sweaters may be worn under and especially for longer dressy coats, a suit may be worn underneath-make sure your jacket accommodates those extra layers.
*I'm linking to jackets at a variety of price points below for every type listed, you can use the rotating scroll bar below each jacket to click on several different variations which will take you directly to the item sources.
10 Jackets A Classy Woman Should Own
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Double Breasted Trench Coat
1. Classic Trench Coat: I can think of no better jacket than a trench coat to take you through the unpredictable weather between seasons. It is the perfect jacket for layering up, particularly in the spring and fall months. Best bets are classic light tan, camel or black. You can wear the belt buckled as it comes, however tying it up at the waist in a knot is generally the preferred method. They come in varying lengths, to get the most use you'll want to grab one that sits between mid thigh and above the knee.
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Double Breasted Wool Pea Coat
2. Wool Peacoat: Another timeless coat that you will wear with skirts, jeans, dress pants and so much more is a wool peacoat. It will also keep you warm and stylish, you'll likely find that this is one of your most worn jackets. Charcoal gray, medium gray, black and camel are the best choices in terms of versatility but a pop of color such as red or royal blue liven up the most dreary of days.
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Classic Navy Blazer
3. Well-Fitting Blazer: A solid black or navy blazer is the perfect way to dress up an outfit, particularly when paired with denim! They aren't just for the workplace. They instantly provide a polished and put together look no matter what you're wearing. While there are several styles of blazers such as larger boxy boyfriend style and shorter tweed styles, if you can only afford to add one, make it a black blazer that was made for your body-make sure it fits perfectly. This will differ slightly from woman to woman given overall body shape, you may find you prefer one that hits slightly below the hip, some a little longer or shorter. They can be worn with sleeves full length and cuffed up for a more edgy or casual look. I'm loving this black velvet tuxedo blazer, for a different look.
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Faux Fur Trim Parka
4. Puffy Jacket or Parka: Cold weather calls for serious outerwear, but that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice style because you're in the midst of a snowstorm. Staying warm and dry trumps all other factors in my opinion. A beautiful parka with fur-lined hood or a puffy jacket with necessary built-in insulation will keep you comfortable and prepared for the day instead of wet and freezing for the sake of fashion. Note that a fur-lined hood can frame your face in the prettiest way without squashing your hairdo. This winter white puffy parka is so pretty.
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Hooded Rain Coat
5. Rain Jacket: A rain coat tends to be a category that many omit or see as unnecessary at times but it is indeed important to have on hand for rainy season. We all have those drizzly days spent outdoors watching a game or when rushing from store to store running errands in the pouring rain. No leather, suede or even wool jacket will hold up well when becoming utterly soaked, instead opt for a true raincoat with a hood that still looks cute and while you're at it, now's the time to rock a pair of rain boots because they are not only practical but they just so happen to be on trend too! This is my favorite pair and I love that they come in lots of colors.
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Front Zip Leather Jacket
6. Leather Jacket: A basic leather jacket has its own look that no other jacket can really pull off- a bit edgy, a bit casual but still polished and luxurious whether belted, buttoned up or zipped. While you can never go wrong with black or brown leather, I also love the look of blush, cream, pale gray or soft taupe tones to soften it up and provide a more feminine appeal. If you're buying a leather jacket for the first time, the safest bet is black, however if the majority of your wardrobe revolves around brown as it is better suited to your skin tone, begin there.
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Wool Fit & Flare Coat with Faux Fur Collar
7. Long Dressy Coat: One of the most important coats to have on hand and at the ready is a special events or long dressy coat for formal affairs. Think: the Opera, a fancy dinner at a 5-star restaurant or a holiday church service. A dressy coat is always knee-length or slightly longer to mid-shin and has an elegant polished ladylike look. Be sure to invest in a dark staple color such as black, charcoal gray or navy to get the most wear and maximize your investment. This coat can also double as a day-to-day coat for the office and/or meetings in the coldest months matching the length of a long skirt or dress and naturally pairs well with heeled knee-high boots. The one in my own closet is charcoal color wool and I've owned it for over a decade (nearly identical to the one shown in the very top image). It is my go-to for so many different occasions and is still in style not to mention in excellent condition all these years as I invested in quality.
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Faux Fur Leopard Coat
8. Leopard Print or Bold Color Coat: Not all jackets need to be so serious and practical, a bold color coat, striped coat, plaid coat, or leopard print jacket adds personality, dimension and some fun into your wardrobe. If you have a favorite color that compliments your skin tone well such as pink or red for example (those are my colors), it will lift your spirits and you'll stand out in a good way in a sea of gray, tan, black and navy. Leopard print is now considered to be a neutral, a playful one at that which can be worn day or night for both casual and dressed-up looks. I love this blush coat, this red coat and this leopard print coat.
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Faux Fur Feather Jacket
9. Fluffy or Furry Jacket: For evenings out on the town or heading to a club or cocktail party, a fun alternative to traditional coats which adds softness, luxury as well as a feminine quality is a fluffy or furry coat (usually shorter in nature) sitting just below the waist, it's the perfect way to complete an all-black look when the jacket itself is in a lighter color such as blush pink, pale gray or cream. For this style of jacket I particularly like soft pink furry coats (this one is a favorite!)-they're so ladylike!
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Classic Denim Jacket
10. Denim Jacket: Last but not least, as utilitarian looking as it may be, denim jackets need not make you look like you work on a farm. Instead, they are the perfect way to complete a casual, relaxed look that is not too fussy. Opt for one that has a bit of stretch to it and is of a slightly softer cotton and is more form fitting vs. a bulky, structured rigid jacket. Remember, jean jackets come in more colors than indigo blue-some of my favorites are white denim and black denim but a classic blue denim jacket is a staple in every woman's closet so start with that color and build from there. I love this super dark indigo moto denim jacket.
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What are our thoughts on jackets & coats? Are there any that you realize you could benefit from owning in your own wardrobe? Do you have a go-to that you wear more than any other to work or during weekends? Share with us in the comments below.
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XO