Cozy Up to a New Coat

Last week it snowed.  So soon!  I'm not nearly done enjoying autumn and no where close to being ready for winter, and yet here it is—the cold weather.  My sweaters are still on the shelf, most of my scarves are still rolled up in a trunk, and the black wool pea coat I've been wearing for the last ten years or so is finally getting thread bare and needs to be replaced.  

Since coats tend to last such a long time, I think it's important to really shop around and find something that suits all sorts of weather and changing styles.  I've been wearing the same coat style for so long that I thought it was time I changed things up a little.  After doing some shopping around, I landed on this Camel Waterfall Duster Belted Long Coat from FemmeLuxe.  FemmeLuxe is my go-to shop for Bodysuits and Corset Tops which I'm so pleased to have posted on in the past as part of our collaborations, but this is my first piece of outer wear from FemmeLuxe and I had the opportunity to test it out this weekend as the temperatures dropped 20 degrees from a pleasant morning to a blustery below freezing afternoon.  And that was before the rain set in.   

I'm very happy to report that the Camel Waterfall Duster Belted Long Coat kept me warm and cozy through it all.  I love it so much you'll be seeing it in lots of upcoming posts in this chilly season.  But, for today, let's talk about a few great features to look for when shopping for coats and jackets and keep in mind that this coat has it all.

Color:  I know it's tempting to go for an bright or outrageous color when coat shopping, but take a moment to consider a couple of things:  1.  how well this color will fit in with the rest of your wardrobe? And 2: Is this color part of a trend that will be out of style next year?  Personally I have two colorful coats one in aubergine which goes well with nearly everything and one in a bright yellow which goes well with a lot of things in my wardrobe but even so, sometimes I've had to reach for something else because it was just too much of a clash.  If you're unsure that a certain color will stand the test of time or fit in with your current style, think about a classic neutral shade instead.  One reason my wool pea coat lasted so long is because it was black which is neutral and goes with everything. However, black can be a little dreary which is why I decided to go with tan this time around.  This camel coat will work beautifully with any color or color combination and I'll prove it by wearing it with all my FemmeLuxe outfits this week and with other throughout the next few months.  Beige never goes out of style and never clashes. You can't go wrong.

Style:  Wool pea coats are a classic look, but after a decade, I'm ready for something different. The classic wrap style and full collar of the Camel Waterfall Duster Belted Long Coat have such a wonderful feminine vibe that I knew this was the style for me.  I love the way that the wrap makes the coat fitted to my shape and the full collar is so very luxe.  Hello vintage diva!

Warmth:  Fabric and lining are two important factors when choosing a new coat.  With an open weave and no lining, what you have is more like a jacket and probably won't do well in colder temps or for being outdoors for prolonged periods of time.  I prefer something that does well in all kinds of weather and I think my Camel Waterfall Coat is going to do the job. It's unlined, but it has a thick fabric and a tight weave it held up beautifully against the wind and the light rain that was falling.

Length and Pockets: If there's one thing I've learned after living in so many places with miserable winters it's that most coats are waaaaaay too short.  Do coat makers think that only my top half gets cold?  The length of this Waterfall Coat is just perfect for keeping all of me warm.

Check out my posts this week and in the coming weeks to see more ways to style this coat!

Shopping Info: Camel Waterfall Duster Belted Long Coat and Angelica dress from FemmeLuxeFinery