How to Wear a Long Wool Coat & Stay Warm AF
A good friend— one I consider one of my most stylish confidantes— recently asked me for advice on how to wear a long wool coat.
As we scoured the Fremont Sunday Market for vintage finds, she said she would be copying my outfit— a haphazardly thrown-together long black wool coat, Zeitgeist sweatshirt, and leggings— ASAP with a similar coat she had at home. While she loved the idea of a wool coat, she never knew quite what to wear it with.
I sighed. Before living in NYC, I was intimidated by wool coats too. Despite having an array of outerwear in my closet, I always stuck to Seattle-approved rain jackets and lightweight puffers. It wasn't until I was freezing my way through the Polar Vortex that I noticed that city women wear wool coats over everything. The next day, I took a leap of faith and took my long plaid coat for a spin.
Now, you'll rarely see me in the winter without a wool coat. It only took a few wears to see why the women of New York love them. Not only is a wool coat more sustainable than a polyester puffer, but it's also one of the warmest styles of winter coats you can own. Not to mention, wool is naturally water-repellant— meaning even if you live in rainy Seattle, you can still look stylish AF in these wool coat outfits.
Take a leap of faith this winter and give these influencer-approved wool coat outfits a go.
Camel Coat + Basic Tee + Boyfriend Jeans
If you don't already own a camel coat, you can't go wrong by adding this timeless piece to your closet this winter. When shopping for the perfect camel coat, try a few different shades to find one that compliments your skin tone and doesn't wash you out. You'll be amazed at how much of a difference going a shade lighter or darker can make.
For a classic 90s outfit, pair a camel coat with vintage Levi's jeans and a basic black long sleeve tee. IMHO, this 'fit would be equally as cute with one of Zeitgeist's signature tie-dye tees. Add oversized sunglasses, gold jewelry, and chunky black combat boots like Doc Martens to complete the look.
Wool Coat + Sweatsuit
A wool coat instantly makes a casual winter outfit look intentional. The next time you're headed to the grocery store or Girls' Night In, throw an oversized wool coat over a matching sweatsuit. Basic black or grey is a great place to start.
The key to looking put together is styling the look correctly. Start by slicking your hair back into a sleek low bun or ponytail. Then add chic accessories like rectangle sunglasses, gold hoops, and a fanny pack.
Plaid Coat + Black Athleisure
For a comfortable casual outfit for a cold winter day, throw on a plaid wool coat over black athleisure. A simple black hoodie or long sleeve tee and leggings or joggers act as the perfect blank canvas for a statement plaid coat. Add cozy, casual accessories like a beanie or scarf, and style with sporty sneakers and ribbed socks.
Wool Coat + Sweater + Statement Boots
When it comes to staying warm in the winter, it's all about layers, layers, layers. Not only will a cozy sweater keep you warm, it'll play off the texture of your wool coat and make your outfit more interesting. Avoid oversized sweaters and dolman sleeves in favor of fitted basics that won't bunch under your arms.
Knee-high statement boots and a chic mini-purse ensure your outfit looks equally as cute with or without your coat on. Stick to a tonal palette, like Aimee's tan and brown for maximum impact.
Wool Coat + White Tee + Jeans
Winterize a classic tee and jeans outfit à la Hailey Bieber by adding an oversized wool coat. During fall 2020 and spring 2021, go with minimalist silhouettes, and tomboyish fits in neutral colors like camel, black or light grey. For a bolder look, opt for a shearling-trimmed statement coat like those seen on the Bottega Veneta, Burberry, Stella McCartney, Miu Miu, and Marques'Almeida runways.
Tie the look together ~ literally~ by tightly cinching the waist with a knotted waist-tie or thick leather belt. Then, use accessories— like a trendy-but-timeless nylon bag and layered chain necklaces— to add interest to the otherwise simple outfit.
Wool Coat + Trousers + Sneakers
Your winter work clothes haven't gotten much love this year, so why not mix them into casual outfits you're actually wearing these days. Pairing professional pieces— like blazers or boyfriendy trousers— with casual streetwear is a major trend RN.
For an easy winter work-from-home outfit, layer a lightweight wool duster over a tee and trousers. Keep it casual with white sneakers and athletic ribbed socks.
Wool Coat + Sweater Dress
For those who are feeling a bit bold (and a bit fashion-deprived), try wearing one of winter's biggest trends: coats as dresses. Designers' Fall/Winter 20 collections featured several Matrix-inspired leather coats, statement furs, and minimalist overcoats worn as winter-friendly dresses.
An easy way to wear the trend is by layering a long wool coat over a sweater dress. Cinch the waist-tie or add a leather belt to give you shape under your outerwear. Add tights and black ankle boots to complete the look.
Wool Coat + Monochrome Fit
While monochrome outfits may look intimidating, they're surprisingly simple to pull off. Simply pair together items of the same color— or same color family— and voila! You have yourself an outfit!
Start with basic colors like black, camel, or grey to build your confidence before trying brighter shades. Use tomboyish accessories like a baseball hat and old-school sneakers to keep the outfit from feeling too influencery.
What's the best way to wear a long wool coat?
Paired with Zeitgeist's sustainable streetwear, of course. 25% of proceeds from every purchase are donated to a local Seattle non-profit, so you can look good while you give back
Cover image c/o @lissyroddyy
