{ STYLING NOTES } THE COAT REALLY IS THE THING...

Last week I wrote about the mixed reality of a capsule wardrobe. Part of the reason I find it to be so difficult to execute in reality is because when I find something I like, I invariably want two or three of it. Take, for example, the overcoat. I dream of a whole closet filled only with coats. Long coats, cropped coats, coats with belts and coats with buttons. Grey coats, black coats, a bright red coat and a plaid coat for when I'm feeling fun.

While owning dozens of coats is completely unreasonable at this point, achieving that more reasonable number of two or three is feeling all but completely necessary for the upcoming fall and winter.

Between high end, contemporary and high street shops, there's a huge disparity in pricing, of course. If you're in the market for a coat that you can run around in this year and don't need it to keep you super warm, shops like Forever 21, Topshop and ASOS have a huge variety of affordable longline coats that have a ton of style but a really low percentage of wool.

If you're ready to invest, think a little less about designer name and more about fabric content. Soia & Kyo and MiH both have really stylish options that are more than 55 percent wool, rather than 95 percent polyester. Natural fibers like wool and cashmere (and fur, for those who dabble) are always going to keep you warmer (and hold up better over time) than their less expensive substitutes.

// SHOP 12 OF MY FAVORITE OVERCOATS BELOW //

HOT SHOPPING TIP: Shopbop is having their annual 3-day friends & family sale from now through October 15! Use the code 'INTHEFAM25' to save 25% on your purchase. I've got my eye on a new turtleneck sweater, some Vince ankle boots and perhaps some cat eye sunnies—all of which will look great with said longline coat. (A few exclusions apply, so do check those out, here.)