There’s a chill in the air and you’re likely taking your coats out of storage.
If it turns out you need something new this year, you’re in luck. There’s a trend sweeping over the outwear industry: Designers aren’t just interested in warmth or silhouettes. They’re interested in transformation. They’re making coats, jackets and parkas have parts that come off, flip around, or snap into place.
Most of us wear one coat for months. Over the course of the fall and winter, it becomes something of a uniform. A coat that can transform to change your look allows you to break through that boredom.
For this year’s list of best coats, we went looking for designs that have interesting transforming features and we tested each one to make sure the components work well. Some of these coats reverse, while others have collars, scarves or entire liners that you can remove. All of them will give you more mileage than the average winter coat.
[Photo: Aritzia]
Two Moods, One Puffer
Aritzia, The SuperSnug Puff, $298
Aritzia’s Super Puffs have developed a cult following, and the SuperSnug is the brand’s signature hourglass puffer. It hugs the body, which makes it more flattering than the typical sleeping-bag-style puffer.
The best version for warmth comes with faux fur trim around the hood that you can remove. With the fur on, it has an après-ski glamour that feels festive and dramatic, perfect for holiday parties. It’s also a practical addition for windy and especially cold days. With the fur off, it’s sleek and streamlined.
Both versions keep you very warm. The coat is filled with 800+ fill-power responsibly sourced down and is rated to keep you warm down to -20°C. The shell is made from a glossy, water-repellent and wind-resistant taffeta from France that feels soft to the touch.
[Photo: Patagonia]
Three Coats In One
Patagonia, Women’s Skysail 3-in-1 Coat, $299
For maximum versatility, the Skysail is hard to beat. It’s made up of two pieces. The outer shell is a lightweight ripstop jacket with a water-repellent finish that lands at the upper thighs. The inner layer is a cozy, high-pile fleece cardigan that snaps into the shell.
You can wear them together on frigid days, or wear the shell alone during rainy fall afternoons. There’s even the option of wearing the fleece cardigan on its own in the fall or spring.
Patagonia designed it with travel in mind, so you can bring a single coat on a trip and be prepared for whatever weather you encounter. And as you’d expect from Patagonia, it’s one of the most sustainable coats on the market. Both layers are made from 100% recycled materials, the water-repellent finish is made without intentionally added PFAS, and it’s made in a Fair Trade Certified factory.
[Photo: J. Crew]
The Coat That Comes With An Accessory
J.Crew, Valentina Scarf Coat in Drapey Wool Blend, $398
J.Crew’s scarf coat became one of the brand’s breakout hits, and this year’s Valentina builds on that success.
This winter coat has a relaxed, unstructured silhouette made from a soft, drapey wool blend that is lightweight and comfortable to wear all day. It comes with a matching scarf that you can drape, wrap, or knot however you like, and it creates an effortlessly polished look.
But you can also take the scarf off entirely, which gives you a clean, minimalist wool coat. It comes in five colors, including a striking Beacon Red, and it’s available in petite sizing as well, which is useful for those of us under 5’4.
[Photo: Overland]
A lifetime of wear
Overland, Kylie Reversible Sheepskin Jacket, $1,195
The Kylie is really two very different jackets. Wear it one way, and it’s a sleek leather jacket, with raw edges and a strip of shearling peeking out at the stand-up collar. Flip it inside out, and it becomes a plush, cloud-like shearling jacket that makes a statement.
Overland, which has been making sheepskin coats since 1973, has thought through the details: the fit is boxy and relaxed on the shearling side and more fitted on the leather side, so each version has its own personality.
The two pockets are accessible from either side, which is a nice touch. The jacket is made from Merino, which is soft, naturally insulating and breathable, keeping you warm without making you overheat. It’s an expensive choice, but sheepskin can last a lifetime with proper care, and you are essentially getting two luxury jackets for the price of one.
[Photo: Canada Goose]
Heritage Workwear, Two Ways
Canada Goose, Scout Jacket, $1,695
Canada Goose is best known for its enormous down parkas, but the Scout takes the brand in a different direction. It’s inspired by an archival piece, with the look of a classic field or hunting jacket: four flap pockets, an oversized cut, and a rugged, heavyweight shell with a water-repellent finish.
The star of the show is the collar, made from dyed Spanish lamb shearling, which you can remove. On colder days, this winter coat frames your face and keeps your neck toasty. When the temperatures rise, you can take it off to reveal a hooded neck and a leaner silhouette.
