About Gabrielle Johnson
When shopping finally becomes an Olympic event, editor Gabrielle Johnson is pretty sure she’ll take home the gold medal for Canada – after inquiring about the availability of other colours (lilac? chartreuse?) and politely requesting a discount. Every week, she shares a glimpse into what’s on her style radar.
5 Winter Coats Every Woman Should Own
life/style t.o.: 5 essential winter coats canada, Toronto
(Nov.30.11)
When a friend emailed me the other day with an urgent fashion dilemma — parkas vs. tailored outerwear — it got me thinking about winter coats, those essential garments that we Canadians basically live in from November through April (and sometimes May, unfortunately).
My friend wanted to know which kinds of coats were absolutely necessary to survive the season in style, so I thought I'd share my answers with all of you. Here are the five winter coats every woman should have in her wardrobe:
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If you invest in only one piece of outerwear this season, make it a classic, tailored wool coat in a neutral colour. This is the coat you'll wear day in and day out, dressing it up or down depending on the occasion. A high-quality tailored coat in black, grey, camel or navy will take you from a 9 am client meeting to 9 pm cocktails with friends — and everything in between. An impeccable fit and fashionable details (like the leather belt on this Mackage Chic Leigh Wool Coat, $650) should set your coat apart from the average winter topper.
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Every Canadian girl needs a warm hooded parka. Fact. How else are we supposed to survive this country's most brutally cold days without freezing our butts off? Luckily for us, parkas have never been more stylish — or more fashiony, now that designers are sending parkas down their runways every fall/winter season. I'm partial to the ones from Aritzia (like the Verbier Knee-Length Parka, $275), which look cute on and really, truly keep the wearer toasty warm.
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When your calendar is jam-packed with holiday parties and you're stuck on what to wear over your sexy cocktail dress, the solution is a chic evening coat.This is your chance to go all out: think sequins, faux fur, velvet or brocade (like this drop-dead gorgeous Dries Van Noten Brocade Robbin Coat, US $1,519). No matter where you're going this winter — whether it's a fancy restaurant or a friend's swanky soirée — your coat is the first thing people will see. And remember, you never get a second chance to make a first impression.
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Being active in the winter can be tough, so why not think of a stylish sporty jacket as incentive to get off the couch? I love the sleekness of a streamlined puffer (like Old Navy's Lightweight Frost Free Jacket, $65); it's perfect for a long walk in the snow, or, perhaps more realistically, a quick weekend coffee run. And if you're serious about staying in shape this winter, SweetFit has everything you need to know about cold-weather workout gear.
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Last but not least, a fun coat in a bright and cheery colour is a great way to lift your spirits throughout the season's long, dark, dreary days. It's hard to stay grumpy when you're wrapped in a juicy shade of orange (like this tangerine-hued Zara Zip-Up Coat, $139), and you'll certainly stand out among the sea of commuters dressed in black, black and more black.
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