Four Coats Should Do It

Winter is approaching faster than you can say 'Indian Summer,' and though I've already done individual features on most of these items as trends, I decided to compile a list of the four best coats for the season. Pick one or pick them all, and you'll be sure to get through the frosty months warm and in style.

Camel:

Camel is one of those trends that comes around every year because it's just so practical yet still so stylish. Nude-colored coats are a great alternative to the sea of black you tend to see every winter, and they come in all shapes and sizes. It's still a nuetral, so it can be worn with just about everything, but it also has just as much class as a white coat with more punch (and a smaller dry cleaning bill). If there is one piece you must invest in, go for a sturdy wool number in a warm honey color, like the ASOS Pleated Swing Coat, $118.

Leather:

A leather jacket is an American classic: sleek and cool, they can be worn with anything from jeans to evening gowns to add an edge. Real leather jackets are also super warm, so they can transition from fall to winter, and come in various shapes from blazers to biker cuts. They're a staple in any wardrobe, especially for the chillier days. Meat Lovers can try the muubaa Piped Leather Bomber, $109, while the Vegans can opt for Leatherette Edge Jacket, $45.

Slim puffer:

Helmut Lang

One of the newer trends in winter wear this year is the slim-cut puffer jacket. Down-filled North Faces have long been a staple on the East Coast, but other brands are getting in on the action with puffy coats cut tightly to the body. The goose feathers inside make these jackets exceptionally warm, and perfect for snowy, windy days. Where before, style was sacrificed for function in 'bubble coats,' these streamlined versions look great with jeans and boots. I recently ordered a Women's Frost Free Fleece-Lined Jacket, $60, myself.

Statement pieces:

Viktor and Rolf Fall/Winter 2010

These are the showstoppers. Be it an interesting color, print, pattern, or shape, these are the coats that, no matter how impractical, you just can't live without. Of course the big contenders this season are shearling, leopard, and capes, but feel free to play with different elements according to your taste. Viktor and Rolf built their entire winter line around tweed and fur outerwear with exaggerated shapes, so don't be afraid to blend variables in finding a look that's perfect for you. The statement coat is about showcasing your personality with a look that may possibly choose fashion over function, so go ahead and try that neon Michael Kors number. I won't tell if you decide to go with the Lipsy Faux Fur Leopard Short Coat, $118.