Fall / Winter

 Foliage and Icicles

The best advice for the upcoming fall/winter season is...buy a great wool coat.  A classic piece of outerwear is an investment.  It is what people will see first whenever you are walking past.  Many women think of the coat as an afterthought.  Just something to throw on to fend off the weather.  When a woman is putting together an outfit for a night out after the cold weather hits, she should be giving as much thought to her outerwear as she would her shoes or dress.  If you are wearing a Prada dress with Louboutin heels, would you really want to throw your ski jacket on over that? (don't laugh, I have seen it done).  Every woman should invest in a great new coat at least every two years.  Money is tight for everyone, but a fantastic looking and  stylish coat does not have to break your budget.  Department stores tend to buy too many, and lower the prices tremendously.  Also,  there are loads of online designer outlets with discounted prices and coupon codes.   A plain black wool coat with a flattering cut and nice lining is the way to go for your first purchase.  I would also suggest that the hem should reach well below the knee if it is to be your primary coat.  Secondly, everyone needs a camel wool jacket simply due to the fact that, like black, camel tones match everything and look good on all skin shades.  I personally like a hip length trench coat style when you buy your second piece. Next, I would invest in one bright unexpected color for winter such as orange or yellow. Maybe even a pastel like baby pink or mint green.  Winter can get gloomy, so a blast of an unexpected color once in a while could be fun.  For your final outerwear purchase, be brave and go with your favorite print.  Just because it's a coat doesn't mean it has to be plain.  A great hounds-tooth or black-watch plaid?  Maybe an animal print or a paisley?  This time you might want something a bit shorter like a waist length.  One thing I really love is a colorful lining.  A great interior has the ability to completely change the look of an item (much like a house). Thrift stores and vintage boutiques are also good places to find an inexpensive coat, as long as you remember to check the coat out for tiny moth holes, and to have it dry-cleaned.  This could also be a fantastic way to afford 2 coats at one time.  The other staples that every woman needs on hand next season are...gloves to go with your new coat as well as a hat and a versatile pair of boots.  A pair of boots that are super warm, but ones that look nice too.  Besides a bad coat, nothing can ruin a nice outfit faster than some bulky winter boots.  For those of you living in a less seasonal climate, you should buy a slouchy sweater or two in nice neutral tones like beige or chocolate brown.  It does get chilly once in a while in the southern and western states, so you should invest in a great pair of boots also.  Lastly, for those of you living where it rains a lot over the winter months, you can never go wrong with a classic pair of wellies and a belted beige trench coat.  Now you can go to the links page and start shopping!