Women's Outerwear Buying Guide

What's 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 jacket  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 proper airflow.	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 and come in lots of cute fitted styles . Varying lengths and fur lined collars can make this stylish piece extra warm. Leather jackets look great when paired with slim pants  or a dress .	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 suede, and silk  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.

Simply Cool

If there's one piece of clothing every woman should have in her closet, it's a leather jacket. They're sophisticated, glamorous, and just plain cool. When it comes to buying a leather jacket, there a few important details every female must keep in mind.

• Leather jackets are often fitted, but will stretch. Choose a jacket that isn't tight and gives your body a flattering shape.
• Whether you're headed to the office or to the supermarket, you will need a leather jacket that isn't constraining. Make sure the jacket is made from a soft leather  because hard leather will not provide the same level of comfort.
• You don't have to look like a member of a motorcycle gang. Today's leather jackets come in a variety of length, styles , and colors. You can look like your favorite celebrity in a hooded zip jacket , or add a little glamour to your work outfit with leather blazer. Pair these jackets with your favorite jeans ,leggings , or pants , and you're ready to go.
• Never settle for the first jacket you're attracted to. Sure, it looks nice, but there's a good chance you will find a more wallet-friendly style. In other words, don't be afraid to shop around, and it doesn't matter where you look. Thrift stores, department stores, and high-end boutiques are great places that offer the most up-to-date and trendy looks .
• We realize that not everyone is into the leather look, so opt for suede jacket . This material is soft, flexible, and has the same luxurious look.

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. 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 zip up your jacket .

Top Sellers

Tri-MountainMicro Fleece Jacket  Tri-Mountain's micro fleece jacket features flatlock stitching and two pockets. With a tailored fit, you don't have to worry about an unflattering shape.	Rossignol Squaw Valley Fleece 1/4 Zip Microfleece  Moisture doesn't stand a chance against Rossingnol's Squaw Valley Fleece. Not to mention this jacket is also breathable, lightweight, and is a great layering piece.	Tri-Mountain Nylon Jacket With Fleece Lining  This nylon jacket is wind resistant and waterproof. The microfleece lining makes it warm on those chilly days and features two zippered pockets.	Chestnut Hill Microfleece Full-Zip Jacket With Black Contrast Inside Collar  Princess seams give this jacket a great fit while the stretch binding at the bottom and cuff hems off a nice contrast.	Tri-Mountain Stretch Bonded Soft Shell Jacket  Wear this soft shell jacket anywhere. It provides just enough stretch, protects you from the elements, and is breathable.

Related Guides

Rain Boots	Accessories	Snow Boots	Winter Decorating