Women's Outerwear Buying Guide

One of the best things about being a woman? The clothes,  of course! But it's not all about fancy sweaters  and cute skirts --outerwear  can be fashionable too! Make sure you are prepared for this year's winter season with all of the right accessories and the warmest layers. This includes picking out the right coat  (or coats) that will last you all season long. Not sure about your options? See below.

Active Jackets

These jackets are great for going skiing,  exercising, or taking a nice walk. They are designed for movement and they are casual enough to wear to any sporty occasion.

Windbreaker  Windbreakers are made out of lightweight nylon material and are great for blocking you from gusts of wind and pelting rain. Many of them are built to be water resistant and can be easily folded to pack in your backpack.	Fleece Jacket  Fleece jackets are designed to act as a really heavy sweater to protect you from the cold and provide comfort at the same time. The soft fabric  allows for movement and these jackets are also great for layering  in frigid weather.	Track Jacket   A track jacket is a tightly fitting light piece of outerwear that allows you to move around. It keeps you insulated with an extra layer to protect you from inclement weather and is typically made of fabrics like polyester and spandex to allow for breathability.	Sweatshirt  A sweatshirt is a great piece of outerwear to have. Whether it be a zip-up hoodie  or a pullover, these sweaters are convenient enough to take on and off while insulating your body at the same time.	Down Vest  These work great as a layering piece and come in lots of fun colors and styles no matter what type of fashion you are into. Many are reversible and filled with down feathers  to give you lots of protection.

Be Stylish

Save the fur lined parkas and bulky bubble jackets for the really cold weather. These jackets will keep you warm but help to give you a shape at the same time--style and sensibility!

Trench Coat  This can give you a feel that's so very 30's mobster (and protect you from the chill) with it's length and collar. Consider a nice belted style or one with lots of buttons.	Leather Jacket  These jackets work pretty well to keep you warm in extreme temperatures and come in lots of cute fitted styles. Varying lengths and fur lined collars can make this stylish piece extra warm.	Pea Coat  What could be cuter or more practical than a mid-length pea coat in black or navy blue? Choose what style of buttons, cut and collar that you want and then you can wear these coats with just about any style!	Blazer  While these aren't always heavy enough to wear in seriously cold weather, they can be a nice fashion accessory for those slightly blustery days. Made form fabrics like corduroy, cotton and suede, these pieces come in a variety of colors.

Heavy Duty Jackets

These styles are perfect for those days that are too cold to even step outside your front door. Brave the elements with lots of layers and some seriously insulated coats.

Down Jacket  These jackets are loaded up with goose down feathers  to provide comfortable insulation and a thick layer that the chill can't break through.	Parka  A parka acts as an extremely heavy windbreaker. It typically features lots of pockets and some type of lining such as fleece with a waterproof exterior  for those snowy days.	Shearling Coat  This is a long, heavily-lined fur or faux fur coat that can come with great features like lined sleeve cuffs and collar.	Cashmere Coat  Luxuriously soft and warm, you can never go wrong with cashmere. These coats are long enough to keep your entire body insulated and they are stylish to boot.	Wool Jacket  What could be warmer than wool? These jackets manage to look fitted while keeping the chill at bay. Playful collars and versatile styles make this a wintertime must have.

Tips

Once you've narrowed down what type of coat you want, don't forget these helpful shopping hints.

• Choices: Try on a few jackets before making your decision. Remember, you are going to be wearing this coat all winter, so you want to make sure it's something you like and that fits you well.
• Height: When thinking about your height, it's helpful to narrow down jacket length. If you are shorter, a long coat may look ridiculous or too big on you, and if you are tall, an extremely tight fitting coat may look just a little bit too small.
• Budget: Keep in mind that a quality winter jacket is not going to be cheap. However, don't buy the first warm thing you like and decide to settle for a high priced item. The best idea is to shop around, since you can usually get a good idea of how much a decent coat is supposed to cost. To give you an idea, a reliable winter coat will run you in the $100-$150 range or sometimes more.
• Layering: When trying on your jacket, leave a little bit of room and make sure it doesn't fit too tightly. You want to make sure that you can layer up underneath and still be comfortable and able to button up your coat.

Related Guides

Rain Boots	Accessories	Snow Boots	Winter Decorating