Best Winter Coats
Winter outerwear is built on a foundation of iconic styles: overcoats, parkas, raincoats and puffer jackets.
Winter outerwear is built on a foundation of iconic styles: overcoats, parkas, raincoats and puffer jackets. Most heavy winter coats stem from a military or aristocratic heritage, suitable for plummeting temperatures, while lighter silhouettes are generally the result of modern technical advances, built to withstand humid, wet climates.
An essential piece during the coldest months of the year, today winter outerwear is informed by global trends, visible in the form of fabric, color and pattern. Beyond the scope of seasonal trends and among outerwear’s most crucial elements, the fit of a jacket or coat can impact the overall direction of your winter wardrobe. For example, a roomier fit tends to signal a more casual ensemble—especially when worn over a hoodie—while sharp, slimmer fits are considered more formal, such as when layered over a suit.
Below, an overview of the best winter coats for women and men.
Types of Winter Coats
Trench
First worn by soldiers, the trench coat transcended its military roots to become an icon of Ivy League style. The trench can be dressed up or down, and used as a layer on its own in cooler temperatures.
Wrap + Belted
The wrap and belted coat is constructed for a cinched-in style. Luxury versions often feature unique volumes and innovative materials.
Chesterfield Coat
Chesterfield coats run to knee-length with two horizontal side pockets and notched lapels. The Chesterfield is usually worn over a suit or more formal styles.
Raincoats
Charles Macintosh invented the raincoat in Glasgow, Scotland in 1823. The style has evolved over the years, with modern iterations offering improved breathability and reinforced waterproofing technology such as GORE-TEX.
Peacoat
The peacoat was first worn by sailors, championed at sea for its rugged qualities. Contemporary iterations are less embellished than the original, making it a practical option during cold-weather months.
Parka
A British classic, the parka jacket is identifiable by its fishtail hem and fur-lined hood. The parka is traditionally dressed in an olive color palette with an orange inner lining.
Cocoon
Usually composed of wool or cashmere, the cocoon coat features a shaped collar and a loose, unstructured fit, making it an ideal overlayer.
Maxi Coat
The maxi coat runs from the neck down to the ankle. The maxi pairs well with a formal dress, or it can be worn with informal styles such as a hoodie and sweatpants for a more casual look.
Military Coat
The military coat can be double or single-breasted and is identifiable by its antique-like fasteners. The silhouette occasionally features epaulets and brass decorations.
Car Coat
The car coat was created as an automobile accessory, designed to keep the driver and passengers warm in open-top vehicles. An updated, sheepskin version became associated with various subcultures in the 1960s.
Capes
Capes were reworked by iconic couturists such as Cristóbal Balenciaga and Christian Dior throughout the 20th century. Today, they retain a sense of majesty, serving a practical purpose for covering up in winter.
Overcoat
An overcoat is a statement style in any wardrobe. A slim iteration with slightly more room under the arms is a versatile piece, suitable for wear with both formal and informal clothing.
Duffle
The duffle coat is a heavy type of overcoat that works best as a standalone piece, as opposed to a piece designed for layering. The duffle features a tartan interior and buttons known as “walrus tusks.”
Puffer
The puffer is the iconic casual winter jacket. Filled with down insulation or synthetic fibers, waterproof iterations are well-suited for cold, rainy climates.
Hoodie
The hoodie is a streetwear essential that can be worn year-round. During the winter months, the hoodie serves as a layering piece, appearing under all types of jackets and coats.
Shearling
A shearling-lined coat is ideal for extreme cold weather. However, it is advisable not to wear the material in heavy rain as shearling can absorb the water.
Best Winter Coats for Women
GANNI’s slim-fitting jacquard knit coat is made with 52% recycled polyester and 42% recycled wool. It features a muted tiger stripe design, finished with multiple slits at the hem for ease of movement.
2. Burberry Kennington Long Trench Coat 'Otter'
Burberry’s Kennington trench coat is designed for an oversized fit. It utilizes the British house’s rain-resistant gabardine and a detachable faux-fur collar.
3. Khaite Hector Jacket 'Brown'
New York-based Khaite’s cropped leather jacket is embossed with graphic python scales. Flap pockets at the chest and a two-way zipper in the label’s signature chrome complete the potent aesthetic.
4. Acne Studios Shearling Jacket 'Brown/Light Camel'
Acne Studios applies its inimitable Scandinavian sensibility to the classic shearling. This jacket is generously cut for an oversized fit, so consider selecting a size down for a more tailored look.
5. Dries Van Noten Ronas Coat 'Camel'
Extravagant, unique prints are a staple of the Dries Van Noten design vocabulary, often using flowers cherry-picked from his garden in Antwerp, Belgium. This coat continues the tradition, incorporating a double-breasted buttoned front and detachable belt.
6. Gucci x The North Face GG Monogram Padded Coat 'Beige/Ebony/Black'
Gucci and The North Face’s seismic teamup in 2022 saw the worlds of outerwear and luxury collide, finished with a sprinkling of streetwear spirit. This winter coat features an all-over GG monogram print for an unapologetically maximalist aesthetic.
7. Loewe Blurred Print Trench Coat 'Beige/Multicolor'
Jonathan Anderson continues to subvert expectations at leather master Loewe. Featuring an all-over trompe l'oeil digital print, this trench coat showcases the Northern Irishman’s penchant for innovative design and heritage craftsmanship.
Best Winter Coats for Men
1. Saint Laurent Teddy Jacket 'Black'
Introduced during the tenure of Hedi Slimane, the Teddy jacket became an instant Saint Laurent classic, becoming a wardrobe staple among the likes of A$AP Rocky and Jonah Hill. Enduring to this day, the varsity style can be worn on its own or as a layering piece.
2. BAPE x Coca-Cola Varsity Jacket 'Black'
BAPE teamed up with frequent collaborator Coca-Cola once more in Fall 2023. This varsity jacket was a collection highlight, adorned with rare motifs used by the Japanese brand in the ’90s. At the jacket front, the Ape Head logo is pictured enjoying the iconic soft drink.
3. Supreme Wildcat Sideline Puffer Jacket 'Grey'
The Supreme Wildcat Sideline puffer jacket features a quilted inner lining for locked-in warmth. It comes detailed with a cat graphic on the reverse side and retro-style triangular prints on the sleeves.
4. The North Face 1996 Retro Nuptse Jacket 'Black'
The North Face’s 1996 Retro Nuptse remains one of the all-time classic outerwear pieces. This minimalist style fits slightly bulky and features the brand’s logo embroidered on the front.
5. Enfants Riches Déprimés Flame Logo Classic Veste En Cuir 'Black/White'
Punk-luxury fashion label Enfants Riches Déprimés takes on the classic motorcycle leather jacket. Composed of premium leather, a subtle graphic element lands on the left sleeve.
6. Carhartt WIP Springfield Jacket 'Plant/Black'
Carhartt WIP goes nostalgic with the Springfield jacket. The style features an all-over paisley print pattern in a muted brown/black hue, rounded out with a Carhartt WIP logo wordmark.
7. Moncler Misam Jacket 'Black'
Moncler’s down-filled Misam puffer jacket guarantees warmth in even the most extreme cold. It is crafted from lightweight nylon laqué and features the house logo on top of a heart-shaped design.
8. Carhartt WIP x sacai MA-1 Jacket Michigan 'Beige'
sacai creative director Chitose Abe demonstrates her avant-garde interpretation of material on 2023’s collaboration with Carhartt WIP. The style hybridizes the brand’s iconic Michigan jacket and sacai’s MA-1 Flight Jacket, featuring a duck canvas shell with nylon lining and trims.