Women's Coat Buying Guide

You'll need a few different coats to make sure that you always have the right one to wear. If you live in a really cold climate, you may want to have a few more coats to choose from because you'll be wearing them more often.

Your everyday coat

The coat you wear every day to work, to school or around town with the kids needs to be durable and versatile enough to wear with different outfits. You'll want to decide how casual or dressy your everyday coat should be based on what your typical schedule holds. A few coats to consider are:

• Leather coats: For durability, leather coats can't be beat. For a chic look, choose a leather coat that is long or that fits closely to your body. For a more rugged look, shop for a coat made of distressed leather or one with fun details, like a hood.
• Wool coats: Most women's coats are made of wool because it's warm and durable, and wool doesn't absorb moisture very quickly. Wool coats are available in many styles and colors. Choose a neutral color if you need it to go with a lot of different colors in your wardrobe. Or if you wear a lot of neutral clothing every day, you can add a punch of color with a wool coat in something bright, like red.

Your raincoat

If wintry weather means rainy days in your neck of the woods, you'll want to make sure you have the right rainwear. Here are some of your best picks:

• Trench coats: You won't even mind the rain when you have this outerwear classic in your closet. The belted waist on trench coats makes them flattering on any woman, and many trench coats have been treated to repel water.
• Cotton coats: Many trench coats are made of cotton, and cotton coats in other styles can also work well in the rain. For extra protection from the elements, choose a raincoat that is at least thigh-length or knee-length.

Your evening coat

Your evening coat can have a bit of glamour, but you won't want to sacrifice warmth for style. A few styles of women's coats will fit that description are:

• Faux fur coats: For a luxurious feel, try soft faux fur coats. A faux fur coat in an animal print can give your evening outfit a classic, vintage-inspired look.
• Wool blend coats: Wool coats always look classy, and a long style (at least knee-length) will look great over a dress. For a little bit more glamour, look for a wool coat with cashmere blended in to the fabric.

Your weekend coat

The coat you'll wear when you're running errands or relaxing with your family and friends on the weekend needs to comfortable. Here are a few choices:

• Suede coats: Suede coats and shearling coats can have the dressed-up feeling of leather coats, but the styles are often a bit more casual, making them a good coat to choose for weekend wear. Remember that water can stain suede, so you may not want to wear a suede coat in the rain or snow unless you apply a protective treatment first.
• Parkas: Parkas often have a sporty feeling, a look that is perfect for the weekend. You'll see parkas in many different colors; you don't need to worry so much about coordinating colors when you're relaxing, so you can just choose one that you like. When you're considering the length to choose, remember that long coats will be warmer while shorter coats will feel the most casual.

Finding a flattering women's coat

Once you've found the styles of coats that will work for your life and style, you'll want to make sure your coat looks perfect on you.

Buttons or belts: If you're very curvy, you'll want to think about the closures on the coat you're choosing. Buttons can pull apart a bit, so you may prefer a coat that zips closed or one that you just tie with a belt instead of using the buttons.

Double-breasted coats: The double-breasted style looks elegant and crisp, but some women may find it a bit unflattering because it adds the appearance of width. If you are worried about looking heavy on top, you may want to choose a single-breasted coat.

Shorter coats: A hip-length coat can help a woman with shorter legs look taller, but a woman with long legs and a short torso will want to choose something about thigh-length.

Flared coats: If you have wider hips or a heavy behind, you'll want to look for an A-line or flared coat, so your coat won't look like it is stretching to fit your lower half.

Choosing a coat in the right size

You'll be wearing your coats often, so you'll want them to fit you well. Make sure you measure yourself before you buy any coat. If you're not sure how to measure yourself for clothes, you can find out by reading the Overstock.com Women's Measurement Guide.

You'll also want to think about how much you layer your clothes in the winter. You may want to choose your coat in the next size larger than you usually wear because you'll want it to fit over your clothes. However, if you don't wear many layers under your coat, then you might not need to go with the next size.

If you have trouble finding a coat that fits you perfectly, you'll be glad to know that coats can be tailored. As long as the shoulders fit well, your tailor can nip and tuck the waist, the length or the sleeves as you need.