wearing lately: coat outfits, v. 4

This week's coat outfit is the most utilitarian of them all - nothing fancy, just warm and waterproof. But that's Michigan winter for you! This down parka is the longest-standing coat in my closet, for good reason: it's the warmest. The heavy weight and waterproof factor paired with quilted waterproof booties is just the thing for our latest weather, where it's gotten quite cold and had just a tiny bit of snow (i.e., I can get away with non-snow boots).

 

A coat-fit that's about staying dry + staying warm can still get a nice seasonal boost though! For a dreary day, I added in this cheery red sweater - actually, probably the oldest sweater in my closet too. I reserve it pretty much just for December, so I haven't tired of it or worn it out yet.

The day I wore this ensemble we actually had some really nice big fluffy snowflakes for a while, which was a treat. Normally I'm not a huge fan of it, but in December it just feels right, and now that I'm basically driving nowhere and definitely don't have any travel plans, it might as well snow! Except that Hendrik immediately mentioned the possibility of a snow day, and I would ONE HUNDRED PERCENT have lost all of my Christmas spirit. We need all the in-person school we can get before he's back home with me full-time yet again, this time for the holiday break.

wearing lately: coat outfits, v. 3

Next feature in the series of coat outfits, now that it's getting colder and time to bring out the big(ger) guns: the olive green parka I added to my collection last year. Even before this era in which coat outfits are the only outfits visible to the public since everything happens outdoors, I was specifically on the lookout for this one, aiming for something that would bring a bit more feeling of sophistication and polish, rather than the usual straight-up functional puffer. With how long our winters are, I just wanted something that made me feel as snazzy as my favorite green jacket, but still happy in below-freezing temperatures. 

This thing is admittedly huge (you should see me with the hood up - I look like an arctic explorer), but the color, the smooth finish, and the gold + fur accents make it feel fashion. And yet it's still toasty warm! Bonus is the little thumb-hole cuffs to keep your wrists extra warm. It was definitely a worth-it purchase, especially because I hit it on a good sale. (Never pay full price at J.Crew - there's always a promo code coming.)

As for what's underneath: though it was just a work-from-home + monitor the virtual school situation day, no curbside visits or Zoom meetings even, I decided it was time to start dressing like December anyway. 

Usually in the holiday season I love coming up with a mini capsule wardrobe for wearing to holiday gatherings + just generally feeling festive while I did my Christmas shopping and daily life. This year there didn't seem to be a whole lot of point to drawing up the whole mood board for it, but that doesn't mean I'm not getting out my favorite December pieces including this plaid shirt that has been a staple of my December wardrobe for several years running (see 2018 and 2019), my burgundy crossbody bag (which won't leave the car when I do grocery pickups, but oh well), my fuzzy red sweater, and possibly even some red lipstick. That'll show well on Zoom anyway!

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wearing lately: coat outfits, v. 2

Returning to the showcase of all of my coat outfits, as we continue on with the no gathering indoors and the temperatures dropping reality of our lives in Michigan... and along with that the justification of acquiring a puffer coat in a new color, to bring a little something different to my outfits.

This is my it's cold but not too cold / dog-walking type look, which normally I would do with a black puffer coat, but after a couple years of sporting that one, I just wanted to change things up a bit. I love winter white, so I tried out this creamy-hued A&F puffer that I'd heard good things about - and also got for a steal of a deal. 

This was my initial try-on, with a simple jeans, turtleneck & cool-kid sneakers combination underneath, and I think I like it. It's not too thick (the possibility of coming off "marshmallow" is a real danger with this one!), is a good warmth level (not the warmest-ever, but I have bigger parkas for that purpose), and has a hood (essential for snow/rain and days you don't feel like squishing your hair with a hat). It's a little roomier than I had hoped and the sleeves rather too long, so I will perhaps try sizing down, or else will continue looking. I like a pretty well-fitted one to still feel at least slightly polished, while I am being puffy. A&F has lots of other cute white coat options too and seems to have sales a lot...

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wearing lately: coat outfits

Pretty sure I mention it in a style post at least once every winter, how this time of year my coat basically is my outfit (dubbed the coat-fit, in fact) because I can't go anywhere without one. And in quarentimes it is going to be even more true: from now until who knows when (a vaccine?), I don't think anybody aside from my immediate family and Zoom calls will be seeing me without one. Good thing I have quite a collection. 

So I thought I'd give each of them a feature over the next few weeks! First up, the quilted down jacket. It has to come first because Michigan weather quickly gets too cold for it - but at Halloween when we had a couple of neighbor kids to our backyard for a masked/distanced candy hunt, it made for a perfect complement to my casual-cute gingham + sweatshirt layers (and matching mask, of course!).

I love this style of down jacket with the quilting and gold buttons because it adds a little style to the practicality of a down coat. (Very useful when you want it to be your outfit, obviously.) I've had it for several years, but here are some options along these lines: