It's a chilly winter day and you’re going to the store. You open your closet to choose a coat or jacket, and suddenly it hits you: All your coats are too small, too big, too worn, or were just never quite right to begin with. You need a new winter coat. And this time, you need the perfect coat. But where to start? As with most apparel, outerwear options seem almost limitless. But with the right approach, you can make the perfect choice.

Exterior

The first thing to consider is the look of the coat, and it’s about more than mere aesthetics. A coat’s exterior affects wardrobe versatility and performance.

You could be one of those people with a style all their own. If so, only you know for sure what’s right for you. But if you’re the kind of person who weighs practicality a little more heavily, first look for a color that isn’t too bold. Remember, a winter coat is something you could be wearing every day for months. Take a look at classic, versatile colors — browns, grays, and blues are a good place to start. Also, be careful with overly bold patterns. And, spend some time researching materials. Every material has its pluses and minuses, and you want one that will be appropriate for where you’ll wear it, what you’ll be doing, and, of course, the weather.

Cotton: It's durable and washable. It’s also water absorbent and about as windproof as a screen door. Additionally, it’s not ideal for a formal occasion.

Fleece: This is a warm, affordable option, but often doesn't do well in the dryer, and is strictly casual.

Wool: It's durable, warm, can be dressy or casual and is naturally windproof. However, it's also more expensive, and only some wool is machine washable.

Cashmere: This is a soft, warm, comfortable classic. However, it tends to be dressier, the price tag can be hefty and it's delicate and high-maintenance.

Leather: This is a highly versatile choice that offers many looks (depending on the finish) and is the ultimate in windproof warmth. It’s also expensive and needs lots of tender loving care.

Insulation

As important as the exterior is, the inside counts the most for warmth. The classic insulation is down (which is the layer of very fine feathers beneath the bird's tough exterior feathers), and for all-around warmth, it still can't be beat. Traditionally, down coats have needed dry cleaning, because once soaked, the down was never quite the same. However, many down coats now can be machine washed (a few tennis balls in the dryer will help dry and fluff the down to its original state). Nonetheless, if you find yourself wearing a down coat out in a cold rain, it won’t matter what the care instructions say; you’ll be cold and wet. Down is also quite bulky, and not the ideal choice for aerobic winter activities.

Synthetic fill, the other popular option, promises quick-drying and more warmth with less bulk. There are many varieties, and they all deliver to some degree. Do your homework before buying.

The third option is not to have insulation at all, but to layer. Traditionally, you begin with a light baselayer, add a midweight midlayer, then finish with an outerlayer that, on its own, would be insufficient to protect you, but with layers is simply the first line of defense. Layering requires more planning and a little more time, but it tends to be more comfortable and versatile. Layering is a great choice if you’ll find yourself in a variety of conditions over the course of your day, because you can remove or add layers as needed.

Choosing the right winter outerwear takes some time, research, and thought. But with a little care, you’ll be perfectly prepared for winter weather.

http://www.sharpman.com/Article.asp?ArticleID=644 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Down_feather http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_pwwi/is_200010/ai_mark02018354 http://www.tiso.com/ask_expert/buying_guides/jackets_outerwear/ http://babyproducts.about.com/od/clothing/bb/baby_snowsuit.htm

Articles

The right winter coat for you

Register

^*Required Field

^*First Name:

^*Date of birth: (mm/dd/yyyy)

^*State: Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Conneticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

^*Email Address: