I Lived in New York for 10 Years—These Winter Coats Always Stayed in My Closet
Arguably, New Yorkers are some of the most qualified people to weigh in on winter staples. After living in the city for close to 10 years, I've seen it all, from bone-chilling polar vortexes to extreme arctic blasts. In short, the winters are no joke, so I learned quickly that good outerwear is one of the best investments. Fast-forward years later, I haven't really had to update my coat collection since—all the more reason to go for a piece that you'll still think is stylish in 10 years.
Ahead, I've nailed down the five outerwear styles that were my ride-or-die staples while living in New York. Not only are they practical, but I also firmly believe they are immune to trends, which means it's worth it to splurge a little more here. From puffers to pea coats, scroll below to see which styles made the cut.
Structured Wool Coats
From the office to weekend errands, there's no occasion where a sharply tailored coat doesn't fit in. Down to the details, I'm talking about crisp lapels, heavy buttons, and structured shoulders. It's a style that excels with denim as well as trousers.
Shop the piece:
Cropped Puffers
As a New Yorker, you become well equipped to face the cold. A puffer is a crucial tool in a winter-wardrobe arsenal, but I prefer mine with a cropped twist. The shorter proportion lends nicely to styling with high-waisted skirts and pants. Plus, it's a little unexpected.
Shop the piece:
Faux-Fur Coats
New York winters can go from mild to doomsday proportions in a heartbeat. Whenever an arctic blast or polar vortex hit, the first thing I grabbed was an outrageously big faux-fur coat. But other than their practical aspect, they're wonderful for giving off a "rich mom" vibe.
Shop the piece:
Maxi Coats
It takes a brave soul to wear a coat so long it risks kissing New York City pavement, but extra long and almost touching the ground is one genre of winter coat I always keep in my closet. The longer length just reads so chic with cool boots, black sunglasses, and a cozy scarf.
Shop the piece:
Aviator Jackets
Last but not least, I never went through an East Coast winter without the help of an aviator jacket. With soft lining inside and sturdy leather outside, it provides warmth but can handle the brunt of the elements. If your style leans more casual, this is a silhouette that will highlight a low-key outfit like a knit set or baggy jeans.
Shop the piece:
Next up: You Can Have Too Many Black Coats—30 Vibrant Coats That Are the Solution
Indya Brown is a fashion editor, stylist, and writer living in Los Angeles. After graduating in 2016, she joined The Cut as a fashion assistant, eventually working her way up to fashion editor. While New York has been her home for over 10 years, she moved to Los Angeles in the midst of the pandemic in 2020 for a new chapter where she started working at Who What Wear, focusing on emerging designers, rising trends on and off the internet, interior design, and BIPOC creatives and brands. Aside from her work at Who What Wear, Brown is also a freelance stylist and writer, working on national print and video commercial campaigns for Sephora, The Independent, and Cadillac. Her bylines also include Harper's Bazaar, Vox, and The New York Times.
-
A Rich-Looking Closet Is the Goal—31 Amazon Picks That Surprisingly Fit the Bill
Bring on the compliments.
-
There Are Over 500 Tops and Jeans at Zara, But Only These 32 Chic Picks Need Your Attention
I'll bet they'll sell out before July's over.
-
Just Dropped: 29 Fall New Arrivals That'll Be Wardrobe Staples by September
Mentally escape the heat with me.
-
Don't Pack Up Your Sweaters Just Yet—Cool Fashion People Are Repurposing Them in the Chicest Way for Summer
All the outfit inspiration is inside.
-
The Only 10 Things You Need This July Are Under $100 Each
Affordable summer shopping made easy.
-
According to the Fashion Set, It's Officially a Sardine Summer—35 Picks They Can't Get Enough Of
The tinned-fish trend is in full effect.
-
I'm a Senior Fashion Editor—Meet the 36 Nordstrom Finds I'm Recommending to All My Fashion Friends
I've already heard from at least six satisfied customers.
-
27 Incredibly Tempting Summer Picks From Nordstrom and Zara That Scream It Girl
Did I mention everything is under $150?