Recently in Coats Category

When the temperature drops below 40 degrees here, people act like it's the end of the world. Add rain to the mix and schools close plus no one wants to go outside; mostly because most drivers here don't know how to drive in cold weather conditions. I lived in Potomac MD for years as a child and I remember my uncle shoveling the driveway when it'd snow so he could go to work. In Dallas, the entire city practically shuts down should one flake of gorgeous snow fall. After an intensely hot summer, I am embracing the cold spell. At least I can pull out my fabulous coats! I mean I can either mope at home like the rest of the city, or get decked out and take myself and my son out for afternoon tea. I choose the latter. Here is the current darling of my coat collection from Louis Vuitton Fall/Winter 2008. I bought it in NYC when I filmed at the Flagship boutique on 57th, it is one of Marc Jacobs' masterpieces. The fit is amazing and the cut is an architectural dream. The mink fur collar is removeable which turns it into a fitted wool coat/dress. The double sided zipper also allows me to wear it fitted at the waist.

The pleated folds at the bottom swish around you when you walk, without hindering you. I feel fabulous just wearing it-- even with a pair of leggings and a t-shirt. I can't enough about this coat except that I wish I bought the oatmeal version with cream mink collar, too! It's from the current season so call Louis Vuitton to order one-- Call Gayatri at 212-758-8877 or email her. Louis Vuitton also available online at eLUXURY.com

What about you? Do you hide when the temperature drops or do you brave the weather in your fabulous coats?

Heidi Dillon is the founder of The Fashionistas.
I have fond recollections of the days, long ago, when summer was at an end a nip in the air would bring a rush of excitement and my shopping juices would start flowing.  After three months of bathing suits and shorts, I couldn't wait to wrap myself in fur trimmed coats and chunky sweaters.

Life had order then. We purchased spring clothes in the spring, summer clothes in the summer and winter clothes in the winter. You could go into any store and know what time of year it was by looking at what was on the racks.

Retailers are in the business of selling clothes and they are always looking for new ways to sell more, so they got creative and decided to change the fashion clock. As a result, we are always confused. Sometimes I fell like I'm suffering from a type of fashion jet lag. Spring clothes are shown on the runway in September and start to arrive in November. Fall shows are in February and the merchandise starts shipping in May.

Photos from the insider
My boyfriend's family has a tradition that every year the day after Thanksgiving all of his cousins, all of his siblings, and any girlfriends go to dinner and a Broadway show with his grandmother. So this past Friday we went to dinner followed by Jersey Boys -- which was wonderful! I highly recommend the show for anyone in the NYC-area:) The reason I bring this up here is because I was reading US Weekly today and it turns out that the Beckham family went to see Jersey Boys that same day!! They must have gone to the 2pm show though since we surely would have noticed had they been at the 8pm one. In any case Victoria went to the show decked-out in a head-to-toe white look (well, almost -- the hat appears to be gray/off-white!) that included a beautifully tailored jacket, but questionable loose-fitting pants that look like they need to be hemmed (how did she not trip in those!?), and I'm not feeling that inspector gadget hat.

What do you think snob or slob?

I've professed my love of Milly often so you may find me biased but Michelle Smith's line of girly frocks and chic little jackets is just so..... wearable! I have a closet full of couture clothes but day in and day out, what dresses do I pull out? My Milly!!! I have the ruffled tea dress above in black and it's one of my favorites, I throw on a cardigan over it for day and at night I add chunky bracelets to dress it up-- easy!  The scalloped black dress is on my next hit list. It's the perfect subtle backdrop for all the bold jewelry I've been buying this season. And of course we all need a statement coat, what could be more of a statement than this fab-u-lous metallic coat ? Throw it on over skinny black jeans and a pair of high boots and you're good to go anywhere. All at Net-a-porter.com 

I am utterly obsessed with trench coats; what could be a more perfect item of clothing? You can layer in cold weather with sweaters/turtlenecks/scarves and it will keeps wind and rain at bay. In warmer weather-- top it over jeans, a little dress or wear it as a dress-- it is versatile and easy to wear! The red baby doll trench coat from Fendi is so chic, knee high boots with leggings is what I'm dying to throw it on with. $1,850 at Net-a-Porter.com

I can donate/sell every single coat in my closet now because I have finally found the perfect coat. It happened purely by chance; I was not shopping (for once!) but was filming with Plum TV at Louis Vuitton's Flagship boutique on 57th and 5th. We were shown to the VIP dressing room suite and there it was, hanging in all it's glory.

I forgot about the TV host, the camera man, the handful of LV employees sent along to make sure we were comfortable, happy, and abide by the rules-- it was just me, and my new coat. I knew I would take her home, I just didn't know what color. I tried on the oatmeal version on the left but it didn't have the same luxe feel as the black one. Made of wool, silk and sheared mink, it is the most fabulous coat I have seen in a very long time, possibly ever (and I have no idea why it looks so frumpy on the model because mine is fitted and fabulous!). The slim silhouette gives the illusion of height, but then flares out on bottom with incredible attention to pleated details on the back. 

I came back later that day with two girlfriends and after a few glasses of champagne courtesy of LV, we all decided black was the one for me.  The mink collar is detachable which makes the coat look like a dress-- I plan to cinch it with my YSL belt for variety. 

My new black coat and I snuggled on the three hour flight home-- there was no way I was packing her away in a suitcase!  She will be my constant companion each winter, I can tell she will never let me down. 

If you want to feel pampered and properly spoiled, go shop at the Louis Vuitton Flagship boutique on 57th and tell them I sent you.  I have never been so satisfied after a shopping experience and I promise you will feel the same.  Call Gayatri at 212-758-8877 or email her and she will get one of these lovelies to you. 

I was shopping with friends the other day and one of them looked at me and laughed because I had about 3 coats on my arm and was trying them on in front of the mirror. She said "you are such a coat girl but you never get to wear them in Texas!" Sigh... she is right of course-- I have a vast coat collection that has creeped to the closets of two guest bedrooms. Even when I lived in LA I bought multiple coats each season. I just can't resist a fabulous coat! My latest obsession are Mackage coats; they are structured and gorgeous with amazing details such as leather corset belts and stand up collars. They also have the cutest puffy coats I have ever seen, I've always loved puffy coats for New York winters but hate looking like the abominable snowman-- Mackage has amazing fitted puffy coats trimmed in fur you'll look fabulous while staying warm. (Jump for more!)

By Julia Dinardo

We know that the trench has been around for quite some time now, and is typically considered to be a quite traditional piece, a staple of every wardrobe. We saw several updated versions of the classic trench on the spring 2009 runways, and couldn't wait to share our findings! We pretty much fell in love immediately with Moschino's cap-sleeved trench with ruffles - a perfect update in our humble opinion! This sleeveless trench plays into the trend of layers - or wear it as the model does, with nothing underneath!

John Rocha turned his lovely lady trench into a ball gown of sorts, with a ballooning, bubble-hemmed bottom. Vivienne Westwood Red Label delved into a new fabulous fabrication with the super shiny metallic lame-adorned trench. We also love the wider lapels, which gives the coat a decidedly '70s vibe. Thakoon Panichgul added some dark trim detailing to a pale beige trench, while Diesel did an almost Burberry-esque plaid trench and Marc by Marc Jacobs added an interesting touch of adjustability on the sleeves.

Now that we've got you all revved up about a new version of the old classic, we've pulled together some affordable options to get the look. We've spotted affordable trenches with interesting detailing, new plays on shape, and fabulous color and print combinations. (Jump for more!)

Giambattista Valli Coat €1,400/$2,575 - This is one of the most stylish coats I have ever seen.  In classic gray, it will go with everything in your closet!  The slight flare is ultra feminine and nips the waist in.  (Jump for complete list!) 

The hippest boutique East of the Mississippi has finally joined the online revolution.  Kirna Zabete's new website is chock full of irresistible items that you usually have to trek to the boutique for, including Lanvin, which they have an exclusive right to sell online in the US-- now that is snob worthy!  So get your plastic ready and go to Kirnazabete.com now!