The 10 Best Winter Coats for Women (Who Still Want to Look Stylish)

Winter is officially here and that means layers are too. There’s nothing I hate more than being freezing cold (or burning hot), so when it comes to winter coats, I have a list of high demands. Not only do I want to be warm and comfortable, but I don’t like to sacrifice warmth for style. And I like to have different coats for different occasions so that my outfits feel “complete” rather than wearing the same puffer coat every single day.

Each year growing up, my mom made it a tradition for us to pick out a new coat (almost always from Lands End). There was something so fun about having a new coat for the winter– almost like buying school supplies at the start of the year. This year, I also found a handful of winter coats from Lands’ End which I’ve included in this post, along with some other cute brands.

In this post, I’m sharing my favorite winter coats for every kind of occasion (just one winter coat won’t cut it, sorry!).

The 10 Best Winter Coats for Women (Who Still Want to Look Stylish)

Here’s my curated list of stylish (and practical) winter coats to keep you warm this winter.

Best Overall Winter Coat

Lands’ End Women’s Down Winter Coat

The coat that I’ve loved the very most this winter is the Lands’ End Women’s Down Winter Coat. It’s a mid-length (it hits around mid-thigh) with 600-fill power down and a great-fitting three-piece hood. I also love the fur lining on the hood for style points. I took this coat on a trip to snowy Utah and loved it every day. As you’ll see below, this coat also won the award for the most affordable and the most comfortable winter coat. It’s lightweight but warm, not fussy or bulky, and works well with most of my clothes (it was the only coat I took to Utah).

I also included this coat in my round up of the coolest puffer coats.

Best Long Winter Coat

L’Academie by Marianna Milly Coat

I recently ordered this L’Academie by Marianna Milly Coat! I needed a camel-colored winter coat that was long and dressy to wear with dresses, and this is just the thing. It has a front tie-up closure, optional belt, and side seam pockets. The notched collar is right up my alley too. Unfortunately, it’s too large on me (I need to size down to an XXS), and may not be a great option for petite ladies (I’m 5’1″). I’ll keep looking for a great one since I find that long belted coats like this work well for dressy events like weddings, church services, luncheons, etc. But if you’re tall, this may be just the one.

Best Cinched Waist

Sam Edelman Belted Hooded Puffer Coat

I love a long puffer coat, but I sometimes find that they don’t accentuate my waist enough, and I end up looking like the Marshmallow Man (or the Mushroom Man, as my 4-year-old says). That’s why a belted puffer coat is a great wardrobe addition. This Sam Edelman Belted Hooded Puffer Coat features a removable belt that accentuates your figure while offering the cozy benefits of down insulation. This coat is currently on sale at Nordstrom!

Most Comfortable Winter Coat

Lands’ End Women’s Down Winter Coat

The Lands’ End Women’s Down Winter Coat also wins the “most comfortable” category because I was able to wear it for a long weekend trip to Utah without feeling like it was too heavy, too warm (or not warm enough), and I felt like it worked with the majority of my outfits. And since I was toting my 10-month-old around the whole time, I think this wins extra points for not feeling too bulky to wrangle a wiggly baby.

Best Cropped Winter Coat

Save The Duck Elvira Quilted Water Repellent Hooded Puffer Jacket

This cropped puffer from Save The Duck is perfect for casual outings. I bought it two years ago during the Nordstrom Anniversary sale and have loved it. It’s puffy but not enormous, much warmer than my older Patagonia, and lined in a sherpa/fleece material. I tried it on in a video on my LTK which you can watch here. Read more about how LTK works in this post.

Best Affordable Winter Coat

Lands’ End Women’s Down Winter Coat

For best affordable winter coat, I’m giving the award to the Lands’ End Women’s Down Winter Coat. For the value, you just can’t beat it. And Lands’ End has had sales all winter long, making this coat under $100 almost every single day I’ve checked.

Best Toggle Coat

Lands’ End Wool Duffle Jacket

The Wool Duffle Jacket from Lands’ End takes the cake for best toggle coat this winter. I got this in navy and have worn it multiple times in the three weeks I’ve owned it. It has a somewhat boxy fit and looks great styled with dresses and denim. The length hits just above or at the hip, and it’s not itchy even though it’s made of wool.

It also has a full zipper to go along with the toggle closures, so if you want to be extra warm, you can zip up.

Honorable Mention: J.Crew Factory Sherpa Toggle Coat

I also ordered the sherpa toggle coat from J.Crew Factory this winter, and while the first size I got swallowed me, the size down worked perfectly. I love the natural colorway and oversized fit. It’s not quite as practical as the Lands’ End coat, but it’s a fun addition to my closet.

Best Peacoat

L.L.Bean Classic Lambswool Peacoat

I actually don’t own a peacoat anymore, but if I did, it would likely be this Classic Lambswool Peacoat from L.L.Bean. I find that wool peacoats used to be more popular than they are now, and these days I see more women sporting coats that look more like the Toscana coat from J.Crew since they tend to be easier to style and a bit more flattering.

However, if a traditional peacoat is your favorite, I think the L.L.Bean Classic Lambswool Peacoat is a perfect option in terms of quality and such a classic look.

Best Trench Coat

Trina Belted Trench Coat

I actually don’t own a trench coat, but this Trina Belted Trench Coat by Petal and Pup is on my list. It has the classic trench coat look, and it’s under $120 which I love since I don’t think a trench would get a ton of use in my closet. It has all of the utilitarian details I love, including epaulets, a back storm flap, and belted cuffs. The belt is also removable.

Best Fur Coat

House of Harlow 1960 Rynn Coat

I was really surprised by how much wear I got out of my fur coat the year I first bought it. It didn’t seem like a truly practical purchase, but then I realized it worked well with holiday cocktail dresses and dark denim for date night. I got so much use out of the black one that I bought a brown fur coat this year!

Sadly the black jacket I own is no longer sold, but this GB Faux Fur Topper Coat is a great alternative. The brown fur coat I just ordered from house of Harlow however is in stock!

Best Teddy Coat

The best teddy coat ever is the one I’m wearing in the cover images of this post, but sadly it’s sold out. Here are my two other favorites.

Abercrombie & Fitch Collarless Sherpa Jacket

This Collarless Sherpa Jacket is on my winter wishlist! The collarless look is a huge trend, and this sherpa version feels like the right blend of fun and easy to style. The fleece-like texture provides warmth while the oversized fit makes it perfect for layering. The trendy faux leather button-front closures are such a cute detail!

Another honorable mention: Anoushka Faux Fur Coat

I’ve had this Anoushka Faux Fur Coat for a year or two, and unfortunately, it isn’t made any longer, but they do have a few sizes left. It has a slightly oversized fit and a great length for styling with dresses. I have an XS in the camel colorway.

What is the warmest material for a winter coat?

When it comes to warmth, materials matter. Down is the gold standard for insulation, trapping heat effectively without adding bulk. Wool is another excellent option, especially in long coats. Synthetic materials like Thinsulate and fleece are great for layering, offering warmth and lightweight comfort.

I highly recommend the Lands’ End Women’s Down Winter Coat for warmth since it worked so well for me in Utah. If you’re going in subzero temps, you’ll probably want to consider a higher quality one designed for frigid temps, like the Canada Goose Down Parka or the Clair Quilted Coat.

Which type of jacket is best for winter?

The best winter jackets depend on your needs. For extreme cold, a down parka with a hood provides maximum warmth. For milder climates, wool coats or lightweight puffers are versatile options. I’ve owned a lot of different winter coats over the years, and I tend to gravitate toward coats that cover my bum since they add more warmth.

What kind of coat makes you look thinner?

Coats with a defined waist, like belted styles or tailored fits, create a slimming effect. A-line shapes and vertical seams also elongate the silhouette. Avoid overly bulky fabrics if you’re aiming for a sleeker look. I also find that black coats are always the most slimming option.

What is the warmest brand of winter coats?

Canada Goose and Patagonia are renowned for their warm winter jackets. Both brands use high-quality materials like down and water-resistant shells, making them favorites for cold climates. But both brands are also known for being pricey. Lands’ End has actually really surprised and impressed me this year for the quality and price.

Other Women’s Coats I Like

• Barbour Classic Beadnell Waxed Cotton Jacket – It’s hard to go wrong with anything Barbour, and I love mine for the not-so-cold winter temps. It’s my favorite jacket for the fall and early spring since it’s classic and adds a nice layer, but it’s not overly warm.
• Lululemon Cross Chill Performance Jacket – This is my favorite running jacket for the winter. It’s warm but flexible, and it wicks sweat. See the rest of my winter running gear in this post.
• Varley Roselle Half Zip Fleece – Not actually a coat, but worth including because it’s a great layer underneath coats. This Roselle Half Zip Fleece is cute, practical, and a great inner layer. I wore it underneath my Lands’ End coat while in Utah, and I was super warm.

No matter your style or winter needs, there’s a coat that fits perfectly into your wardrobe. Stay warm, look stylish, and embrace the season with confidence!

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