The Outer Limits

Picks from a coat connoisseur.

I’m convinced winter exists for one reason only: to give us an excuse to show off great coats. Growing up in Minnesota, I earned my unofficial PhD in outerwear, which qualifies me to guide you through this frontier. Not just because I have what some might call an outerwear problem, but because when you live somewhere that requires a topper nearly half the year, you don’t just own them—you collect them. Confession: our entryway has two generously sized coat closets—one for my husband and kids, and one that is, yes, entirely mine.

Think of this roundup as a field guide from someone who has survived (and accessorized through) more blizzards and polar vortexes than I can count.

Fur Forward

1. Modern Citizen shearling collar coat 2. Vince shaggy faux fur jacket (look for less here and here) 3. ASOS wool blend coat with fur collar 4. Mango leopard fur coat 5. Dôen fur-trimmed coat 6. Apparis short fur mink (more colors here) 7. Reformation suede and shearling coat 8. BlankNYC cropped black faux fur 9. Citizens of Humanity cropped brown coat 10. Lovers and Friends belted coat 11. Chicjoc fur collar goose down coat

Puff Piece

1. Aritzia shorty super puff in high gloss 2. Cos scarf detail quilted puffer 3. Halfdays belted puffer 4. Leset burgundy belted puffer coat 5. Quince hooded puffer 6. Lululemon wonderpuff in leopard 7. Coach wool zip plaid puffer 8. & Other Stories down puffer jacket 9. Varley roseville down jacket

Wool Picks

1. Cos double-faced wool shawl collar coat 2. Mango plaid wool-blend coat 3. Aligne wrap coat 4. Aritzia slouch coat 5. Modern Citizen classic black maxi coat 6. Reformation button Wyatt coat 7. Mango wool coat with lapels 8. Cos sculpted wool coat 9. L’Academie scarf coat 10. Zara double breasted coat

The In-Between

1. Lioness windbreaker 2. Pixie Market leather scarf bomber 3. Cos corduroy funnel neck 4. Ellandemm wrap coat 5. Mango plaid bomber 6. Reformation leather bomber 7. Simkhai fringe coat 8. Skims boxy fleece zip up jacket