Sure, we all know what wardrobe essentials for work professional women are supposed to have in their closets, but if you’re buying one for the first time or replacing one you’ve worn into the ground, it can be a pain to find exactly the right incarnation in stores. In “The Hunt,” we search the stores for a basic item that every woman should have.

Plaid shirt jackets (“shackets”) are really popular right now… with retailers at least. Here's my take: I want an amazing coat this season. Whether I'm in work clothes or, um, leggings, I don't want to look like I borrowed my lumberjack boyfriend's coat — I want to look polished and as glamorous as possible. (And warm. Warm is good.)

I thought I'd take around and see what's on the market right now… I was particularly interested in bold colors and fun patterns (leopard and plaid are huge trends for all kinds of coats this year!). (We've also rounded up some of our more classic winter coats for women if you're looking for something a bit more sedate.)

Readers, what kind of winter coat do you want this season? Which, if any, of these statement coats are calling your name?

This post contains affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. For more details see here. Thank you so much for your support!

{related: the best winter coats to wear on your commute}

Classic Style Winter Coats for Women

Some of our favorite classic coats include: olive / blue / green / caramel / black / gray (not pictured but also)

Classic Winter Coats for Women in Plus Sizes

Statement Winter Coats for 2021

The faux fur/sherpa/teddy coat has been around for a while and it continues to go strong this year. This coat from Halogen is super soft and only $51-$71 (score!). (If you want to see an upmarket version of this here's a $4000 Armani alpaca wool coat.) Come to think of it both the high and low versions feel like they'd be a bit at home on Gwen Stefani circa 1999… which I'm kind of ok with.

Sam Edelman always has best-selling winter coats — they're affordable but crazy soft. I was in store at Nordstrom recently and was drawn to this one (even though I'm still deciding whether leopard prints align with my personal style at this point in time). It's crazy soft and is marked down to $129.

While hunting around I thought it was interesting to see that J.Crew Factory now has the “City Coat” in a variety of bright, bold colors (it's $238 new, but marked to $159 today) — I think this was previously a reader favorite at J.Crew, although I'm blanking on the name. It's available in sizes 00-24 in regular sizes, as well as petite sizes 00-12.

I don't think I've ever gotten a coat at Express, but this “strong shoulder chevron wedge coat” looks fabulous — I love the really bold pattern, as well as the way it looks both open and closed. (They've styled it onsite with a belt to keep it closed, but I don't believe it has any buttons or snaps of its own.) It's $198, available in sizes XXS-XL.

I know, I said I did not want plaid… and I never thought I'd like a patchwork of lots of plaid. But something about this coat from Avec Les Filles just works. In person, the blues are bluer, the browns are grayer, and the plaids and stripes are a bit more prominent. Styled differently (like with a simple black outfit, either for work or working out) I actually think it would look a lot more lux than it's styled here. It's $199 at Nordstrom, available in sizes XXS-XXL.

(This powder pink/lavender puffer coat from Avec Les Filles also caught my eye in person — again, not my usual style but it was lovely in person.)

Ooooh… I can't decide which I like better at Boden: the floral embroidered coat above or this amazing paisley velvet number that looks vintage. (This chain link puffer coat is also kind of amazing.) Ultimately I think it's the embroidery details on the pictured coat that sell it for me — SO unusual. It's $420 and available in sizes 2-22.

Like this feature? Check out other recent installments!

The post The Hunt: Statement Winter Coats appeared first on Corporette.com.

We recently rounded up statement jackets for winter — fun, colorful, bold jackets — and I was intrigued to see this comment from an interviewer in a snowy climate, basically noting that many new graduates are wearing FAR too casual a coat over their suit for winter interviews. Here's her comment on interview coats for women:

So wonderful to see no puffer coats. They appear on so many fashion blogs (by people who only work from home!) as the only coat a woman needs. More than once when I’ve been interviewing candidates for a junior position, the candidate has arrived in a puffer coat that I know from the branding cost her well over $1k (so it’s not a cost issue for a new graduate.)

But several colleagues (male and female) have joked about [their] collegiate or excessively casual appearance — which is surely not what these women intend to convey. The same comments are made about male candidates in parkas.

Of course, if there is a blizzard going on, all bets are off. . . . [E]veryone needs a basic cloth coat — for interviews, for formal meetings outside the office, funerals, evening occasions.

I don't disagree — the puffer coat has come a long way in the past 10 years; my earliest association with it was the frumpy writer played by Kathleen Turner in Romancing the Stone. (Highly recommend if you haven't seen it; it's a classic rom com!) These days you can easily spend serious $$$$ on a puffer coat, but it still doesn't make it appropriate for interviews.

As we've noted before, in general your interview attire should be pretty bland — you want to keep the focus on your resume and not your fashion sense. (I've even argued that signs of ostentatious wealth are a bad thing for careers in which you are representing someone other than yourself, especially lawyers who may be in front of a jury.)

{related: check out our entire Guide to Women's Interview Attire!}

As I've also noted before, you should definitely make sure a suit blazer fits beneath your winter coat, which means you may want to size up a size (or three). Another good tip is that your coat should be longer than hip-length if you're wearing it with skirts or dresses… Look for something at least finger-tip length or longer.

{related: how to dress professionally on the coldest days}

This post contains affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. For more details see here. Thank you so much for your support!

Classic Interview Coats for Women

Some of our favorite interview coats for women in classic styles include these styles and brands:

Some of our favorite classic coats for work as of 2024 include: olive / blue / green / caramel / black / gray (not pictured but also) – and don't forget to check out our editors' favorite washable winter coats!

{related: what to wear to work when it's cold outside}

Plus Sizes: The Best Coats to Wear Over a Suit in Winter

Hunting for plus-size coats for a winter interview? These are some of our favorites:

Readers, how about you — what are your thoughts on the best coats to wear over a suit in winter? What do you think of when you think of “interview coats for women”?

{related: how to do business casual in cold weather}

Stock photo via Deposit Photos / arkusha.

The post Interview Coats for Women: The Best Coats to Wear Over a Suit in Winter appeared first on Corporette.com.

How can you find a great winter coat, or know when it's time to invest in great winter coats in general?

Reader M asked us to “share some guidance and advice…”

{related: the best winter coats to wear on your commute}

UPDATE: Some Recent Picks for Great Winter Coats

Some of our favorite classic coats for work as of 2024 include: olive / blue / green / caramel / black / gray (not pictured but also) – and don't forget to check out our editors' favorite washable winter coats!

Hunting for great winter coats in plus sizes? These are some of our latest favorites:

There are a ton of fun trendy winter coats for work at Nordstrom this year – these are our favorites!

Our Latest Favorite Washable Winter Coats

Hunting for a washable winter coat? These are some of our favorites:

Pictured above: favorite washable winter coats as of Oct. 2022! Note that any faux fur hoods should be removed before washing. gray* / purple* / gray / black* / green (* = available in plus and regular sizes)

How to Buy a Great Winter Coat

I'm curious to hear what the readers say here, because despite a lot of poking around online, I haven't found a lot of other articles talking about this. Here's what I know:

Go for a blend. I read somewhere once that a wool/cashmere blend is better than a 100% cashmere coat — after looking at this Ask Men article it looks like it may be because cashmere is such a delicate fabric, which makes sense.

Know what level of warm you want. I'm still largely against down for the office, but at this point I think that's my own issue, perhaps caused by memories of Kathleen Turner's puffer coat in Romancing the Stone — the look is hugely popular. Land's End notes that down is technically the warmest insulator.

Block the wind. As someone who went to college on Lake Michigan (where they sent around a shuttle for us to get to class when it hit 20 below with the windchill), the wind is often what gets you more than the “cold” — and underlayers (such as silk long johns) can be almost more important than the coat itself.

Psst: these are some of our favorite long underwear; note that almost all of these brands also come in tops. (Long underwear is also great if you've got unlined suit pants.)

Wear a hat. I don't care if it's a medical myth that 80% of your body heat escapes through your head — I still recommend wearing a hat when it gets cold outside.

Protect your hands. I'm a total wimp, but I wear gloves the second it's vaguely acceptable — when I go for a run or a walk I'll often be in a t-shirt and gloves. Yes it looks dumb, but I hate hangnails, raggedy cuticles, and other dry-winter-hand problems.

Decide where you want your coat to hit. I've always been a fan of a knee-length coat both for warmth as well as the way it looks with skirts. In terms of style, as the WSJ advises, bear in mind where most of your skirts and pants hit you.

Size UP for layers like blazers and bulky sweaters. I have made the argument that a winter coat should be big enough to fit a suit blazer (or very thick sweater) beneath, comfortably. (So watch out in July when you find that amazing coat that fits you like a glove… with bare arms.)

{related: interview coats: the best coats to wear over a suit in winter}

View your coat as an investment. Finally, for my $.02, consider your coat an investment, and spend accordingly — I'd rather have one $800 coat that lasts me five years, rather than eight $100 coats that last me a year each.

(PARTICULARLY considering that it's not uncommon, at all, to find $1000 Cinzia Rocca coats or $800+ Brooks Brothers coats on great sales, bringing prices down to $250 or less (at BB, there was one around this time last year, and I'm stalking the website again.) 

This view is also formed by NYC practicalities, where closet space is limited so it doesn't make SENSE to have eight winter coats.

{related: what to wear to work when it's cold outside}

I'm curious, though, readers — what rules of thumb do you follow when you're hunting for a new winter coat? How long do you expect a winter coat to last? What is your ideal style of coat, if you could only buy one?

Psst: these are some of our favorite shoes for inclement weather for your commute…

Hunting for weatherproof shoes for work? As of 2024, these are some of our favorites — also check out waterproof sneakers like Allbirds, and Tory Burch's rain loafers.

As of 2024, these are some of our latest favorite weatherproof knee-high boots for work…

Social media pictures via Stencil.

The post How to Buy a Great Winter Coat appeared first on Corporette.com.

Alas, I think I've waited too long to do my Hunt for winter coats, as there are only lucky sizes left for everything I like. So instead, let's have a discussion about three things:

• where would you go if you're looking for an AFFORDABLE BUT DEPENDABLY WARM COAT?
• where would you go if you were looking for a STATEMENT COAT (that's slightly affordable)?
• where would you go if you were buying an INVESTMENT COAT?

{related: the best winter coats to wear on your commute}

Some Recent Picks From Our Favorite Stores for Classic Winter Coats for Work

Some of our favorite classic coats for work as of 2024 include: olive / blue / green / caramel / black / gray (not pictured but also) – and don't forget to check out our editors' favorite washable winter coats!

Hunting for great winter coats in plus sizes? These are some of our latest favorites:

My Favorite Stores for Winter Coats for Work

My answers would be these — but I'm really curious what you guys would say. (For those of you who have loved J.Crew coats in the past, would you still put them in the first category?)

• Dependably Warm Coats in a Wide Size Range: Lands' End, LL Bean, Talbots, Eddie Bauer, Uniqlo
• Statement Coats: thrift stores/your grandmother's closet, Mackage, The Outnet, Yoox, ASOS, Reiss
• Investment Coats: Burberry, Mackage (or their more affordable line, Soia & Kyo), Fleurette, Cinzia Rocca, Patagonia

As far as statement coats go, I never got a ton of wear out of it but I was pretty thrilled to find a fake fur coat for $10 at a random thrift store in Evanston, IL during my college years — it's probably still hanging in my parents' basement. I also still regret losing my grandmother's blue tweed coat — I'm still hopeful I'll find it one day.

Finally: it wasn't a winter coat, but rather a lighterweight jacket that was a gray check lined with a red satin that I bought on a trip to Germany one summer when I only packed summer clothes, somehow forgetting that 70 degrees is jacket weather, at least for someone who's always freezing like me. It was bought during my skinnier years, and it's one of those things I stubbornly hang onto, even though I haven't fit into it in years.

How about you — where are your favorite places to go for winter coats? Have you bought any great coats recently (regale us with your sale stories, ladies!)! Have you ever had a statement coat that you were super happy to have? 

More Great Winter Coats for Work

There are a ton of fun trendy winter coats for work at Nordstrom this year – these are our favorites!

Psst: we've also talked in the past about what to look for in a great winter coat, and rounded up washable winter coats over on our blog for working moms.

2021 updated images via Deposit Photos / fotototo.

The post What Are Your Favorite Stores for Winter Coats? appeared first on Corporette.com.

Reader E has a timely question: Which are the best lightweight jackets that look professional (other than a trench coat)? What's best to layer on top of blazers, sweaters, and more as the weather turns colder (finally!)? We haven't talked about lightweight jackets in a thousand years, so let's discuss!

Do you have any suggestions for lightweight jackets that look professional? My office is casual/business casual (lots of people dress casually but I try to step it up a notch). I have a quilted jacket from J.Crew and a lightweight trench, but I'd love to find something shorter than a trench that isn't a blazer. Something I could put over my outfit for chilly mornings. I know the military jacket style is in, but that's too casual and trendy for my style. Any help is appreciated!

Great question, E! I'm assuming by “military jacket” you mean the very popular olive anorak style like this or this, which can definitely be a bit casual if your style is more conservative. I love fall weather and coats, so I rounded up a few general options.

Our Latest Favorite Lightweight Jackets For Your Commute

Hunting for a lightweight jacket for your commute? Classics include the designer trench ($$$$), as well as this affordable reader favorite raincoat, this classic packable raincoat! Know your office before wearing a jean jacket with your outfit, but if you're on the hunt, this one is a bestseller every year. Check out some of our latest, trendy favorites for 2024 below!

Great Lightweight Jackets for Office Looks

Reader E already has one, but I will note that I think every woman should have a lightweight trench in her closet — it's a classic piece, and many of the styles are sold with removable liners and hoods so you can adjust them as needed for the weather — and when we've talked in the past about what jackets to wear with skirts and dresses, a longer trench is usually what's in my mind.

(I'm a fan of the mid-thigh-length ones, but they also certainly make calf-length ones, if you prefer a longer, more dramatic look.)

I'd add that a nice big scarf is a great option to add on top of these, both as an additional, removable layer of warmth and possibly protection for your hair from wind/rain. Personally, I'm a fan of bigger wraps like the office pashminas we rounded up in our post on why to keep a wrap at the office — but that's me!

Other Lightweight Jackets that Look Polished and Professional

Of course, if you want something other than a trench coat, there are a lot of options — we'll list our favorite blazers (general, oversized boyfriend blazers, affordable blazers, and statement blazers), as well as our favorite sweater blazers, cardigans, and Chanel-style jackets.

Blazers as Separates

Some of the best blazers for women in 2024 — great for wearing as separates! — include options from Cinq à Sept, J.Crew (collarless and collared), Everlane, and Madewell. Hunting for a deal? Check out J.Crew Factory and Amazon (Cicy Bell, The Drop).

Plus-Size Blazers

Investment Blazers to Splurge On

Hunting for a luxe statement blazer? 2024 favorites include Smythe, include McQueen, L'Agence, Veronica Beard, The Fold, Armani, and Anine Bing.

Affordable Blazers

Hunting for women's blazers under $50? Our favorites as of 2024 are below — if you're open to going up to $75, also check out these options from Amazon, J.Crew Factory, Old Navy, and this Uniqlo blazer.

Oversized Blazers

These are some of our latest favorite oversized boyfriend blazers for work as of 2024… Nordstrom also has a bunch!

The Sweater Blazer

A sweater blazer can feel more comfortable than a blazer because you've got greater ease of movement, but it can be warm and stylish like a blazer.

Sweater Jackets for Plus Sizes

Cardigans

Some of our favorite classic cardigans for the office as of 2024 include those below — definitely check Talbots and J.Crew Factory if you're looking for plus sizes, and Quince is always a nice affordable option.

Lightweight Sweaters

Our latest favorite lightweight sweaters for work include this Nic + Zoe cardigan and this M.M.LaFleur jardigan. We've also rounded up 100% cotton sweaters, as well as the classic summer sweater, the twinset.

100% silk sweaters are incredibly hard to find at the moment, but Nordstrom has a very limited collection, and J.Crew has a short-sleeve silk sweater.

Some of our favorite silk-cashmere sweaters for work include these from LaLigne and Brooks Brothers; if you're looking to splurge, Akris has a bunch right now.

As of 2024, you can find cotton-cashmere sweaters at Quince, L.L.Bean, and Reformation. You can also sometimes find them from brands like Nordstrom Signature.

Another lightweight but luxe option: cashmere-linen sweaters, such as this option from Vineyard Vines.

Hunting for cotton-merino blends? Everlane has a bunch as of Feb. 2024.

Chanel-Like Jackets

Some of our latest favorite Chanel-style jackets for work in 2024 include these, but in general check brands like Chanel, St. John, IRO, L'Agence, Sandro, ba&sh, and J.Crew. On the budget side of things, check out Mango and White House Black Market.

Great Lightweight Jackets for Office Looks in 2024

Burberry

I mean, CAN we discuss spring raincoats and trench coats without going to the OG? Burberry trench coats will run you north of $2,000, but they're considered investment pieces by many. (Readers who have one, please weigh in with your thoughts — do you find them hard to clean? Are you pleased with how yours has held up?)

(Personally I'm not a fan of either double-breasted coats or the color beige — and having a hood is important to me — so for me this option has never made sense. But they're classic coats, and I see a lot to love but for those personal dealbreakers.)

The pictured coat (the Kensington) is $2,490 at Neiman Marcus.

Eddie Bauer

This Eddie Bauer classic has been the hands-down reader favorite for many years now. I have one and like it — it isn't the sleekest of looks, but the hood is nice and deep, it has two deep pockets on the side of the coat and one smaller one on the inside breast of the coat. Mine must be several years old now (maybe as much as many as five?) and really is not showing signs of wear.

The coat comes in regular (XS-XXL), plus (1X-3X), petite (XS-XL), and tall sizes (S-XXL); even the range of sizes is unusually great. The coat has been available in both basic and seasonal colors over the years; right now it looks like they only have black, navy, gray, and a brownish “redwood.” It's $169 but frequently goes on sale.

(There's an insulated version of the coat also, which I've tried — for my $.02 I prefer the plain raincoat.)

This can be a slightly noisy coat because the fabric is stiff and water-repellent, but it's a breathable fabric and really does keep you dry.

Brooks Brothers

I've sung the praises of the Brooks Brothers ruana in the past and finally picked up one for myself during one of their spring/summer sales. This reversible animal print/gray one, in fact — it's still available and currently marked to $209 down from $698. When I first got it I was a bit bummed that it was more like a poncho than I thought it would be, with more of a definite “collar” and shape to it than my other nice big wraps. (And I'll admit, I was so undecided, if the return window hadn't passed without my noticing, I might have sent it back.)

But now that is fall, I'm surprised how often I reach for it. It's warm, it's crazy soft but sturdy, it goes on top of blazers as well as simple long-sleeved t-shirts.

Ultimately I'm very happy with the purchase and know I'll have it for years to come.

Cons: no pockets. Pros: It hangs nicely on a hanger just like a coat would. Brooks Brothers has a ton right now, some as low as $136, some as high as $3,998. (I can't speak to the quality but it looks like Uniqlo also has some similar stoles for $20ish.)

Cole Haan

The pictured red jacket from Cole Haan has 300+ positive reviews at Nordstrom. It’s packable, and has a cute bow in the back so you can cinch it. (And I’m intrigued by the “snap-down storm flap.”) I like that the pockets zip as well as snap, and the hood detaches.

It's around $300 full price, but look for it on sale as much as 50% off at shops like Nordstrom and Amazon.

Ilse Jacobsen

This pictured raincoat is super affordable and also really highly rated!

It comes in 10 different colors in sizes 4-16 (34 FR-46 FR). There are other slightly different versions of this raincoat with different fabrics and hem lengths.

Boden

Ooooooh… I love this. I know the beige trench is a classic, but it's so boring (and, for some of us, beige makes us look like corpses). This bright, happy trench from Boden definitely takes care of that — it's light, lively, and so unusual.

Particularly if the rest of your wardrobe is minimal (cough, all black), this would be a great pop of color in spring, summer, and fall.

The trench is $510, available in sizes 2-22 and 2P-12P.

Other Wraps We Love

A few other wraps we love…

Readers, what do you think are the best women's lightweight jackets for the office for fall and spring? Do you have a favorite trenchcoat, sweater blazer, or other lightweight jacket that looks professional? 

Seasonal Blazers for Outerwear

Fall Blazers That Can Double As Outerwear

You say you don't want a blazer, so this may be too close for your liking — but there are a lot of fun, sophisticated jackets that are a bit more buttoned up than a blazer (so, warmer) and on the shorter side. A lot of these may come in textured, sturdy fabrics like tweed, corduroy, and velvet.

Another option: festive blazers in velvet, at least for fall jackets…

Hunting for festive blazers for 2023/24? Stay tuned for a bigger roundup, but on the affordable side we like J.Crew Factory and Loft — and this Eliza J one is almost always in stock. On the more expensive side, check Reiss, Paige, and L'Agence. (Love this green iridescent houndstooth from L'Agence, also!)

Spring Blazers That Can Double As Outerwear

White Blazers

As of April 2024, some of our favorite stylish white blazers for work include options from J.Crew, J.Crew Factory, Ann Taylor, Liverpool, and Amazon (Cicy Bell, The Drop). If you're looking to splurge, try Smythe or L'Agence.

Linen and Other Lightweight Blazers

Hunting for lightweight blazers for summer in linen and other fabrics? As of 2024, J.Crew's Helena blazer in stretch linen is a bestseller, as is this super affordable Quince blazer and Old Navy (regular, tall, and petite up to 4X). Along related lines (all machine washable!), check out Uniqlo's Airsense jacket (lightweight and stretchy), Madewell's Drapeweave line (lightweight and drapey) and Brooks Brothers' seersucker line (lightweight and cooling). You can find silk/linen blazers at Ann Taylor and Hobbs; Ann Taylor also has a number of cotton pique options.

Social media picture via Stencil.

Great Winter Coats for Your Commute

Of course, as the weather gets colder, you may want to go for a great winter coat instead… some of our favorites are below!

Where to Find Statement Coats

Some of our favorite stores and brands to check for statement coats for winter include Ted Baker, Soia & Kyo, COS, J.Crew, and Cuyana.

Great Winter Coats for Work Outfits

Some of our favorite classic coats for work as of 2024 include: olive / blue / green / caramel / black / gray (not pictured but also) – and don't forget to check out our editors' favorite washable winter coats!

Great Plus-Size Winter Coats for Work Outfits

Great Washable Winter Coats

The post The Best Lightweight Jackets for the Office (Other than Trenchcoats) appeared first on Corporette.com.

What are the best strategies for staying warm during a wintry commute while still looking professional when you get to work? How can you look stylish and professional in the winter? Reader M has a question about how to do business casual in cold weather:

I'm graduating this year and moving somewhere cold, and I have no clue how to dress business/business casual in the winter. (I have tons of dresses and cardigans and skirt suits from my summers, but rarely any winter clothes.) Specially, I'm wondering — what kind of coat should I buy? What kind of shoes/boots should I wear under work pants? What do I wear to walk to work in the snow/rain? I know this is pretty basic question, but I'd love a post on this topic!

Great questions, M — business casual in cold weather can be tricky! I have some thoughts for you on how to do business casual in cold weather.

Psst: in the past we've talked about ways to adapt conservative clothes to a business casual office, transitioning from a business casual to a conservative office, how to do business casual without looking overdressed, the best summer work clothes for a business casual office, what to wear to a big meeting at a casual office, what to wear to a very casual office, and how to look like a stylish professional in a business casual office.

{related: how to dress professionally for the coldest days}

How to Do Business Casual in Cold Weather (Inside Clothes)

{related: The Ultimate Guide to Business Casual for Women}

Warm Pants for Business Casual Outfits

Know your office before wearing a pant with 5 pockets (i.e., cut like jeans) — but you can often find a ton of corduroy and velvet pants that feel so much warmer in the winter.

Business Casual Corduroy Pants for Women

Some of our all-time favorite cords (again, mostly for casual offices) include the Kut from the Kloth ones at Nordstrom, available in regular, petite, and plus sizes. If you prefer a tighter fit, check out corduroy from denim brands like AG; if you prefer a looser but still tailored look check out NYDJ cords. Madewell also has a ton of great cords right now, and I'm drooling over all the colors of these cropped, flared cords from Tuckernuck.

Warm Flannel Pants for Women

Wool Blend Pants

A Trick To Make Any Pants Warm: Silk Long Johns

Another favorite way to warm up in the winter, especially if wind is a part of your commute: silk long johns! They don't add bulk under pants, and they don't make you too warm once you're inside — but they do an excellent job of blocking the wind.

Another Great Trick: Fleece Tights

Readers have loved fleece tights for years! In recent years you can even find fleece tights that look like pantyhose. Plush Tights have been a longstanding favorite, but you can find a lot of more affordable options at Amazon.

Warm Business Casual Sweaters

Cashmere Sweaters

Merino Sweaters

Our all-time favorite 100% merino sweaters for work include Uniqlo, Everlane, Banana Republic, and APC. Eileen Fisher has high quality merino, also, although the clothes tend to be on the more casual side.

Cashmere/Wool Blends

Some of our favorite silk-cashmere sweaters for work include these from LaLigne and Brooks Brothers; if you're looking to splurge, Akris has a bunch right now.

Buck Mason has a lot of silk-cashmere-wool blend sweaters, including this turtleneck and this crewneck – APC also has some as of Feb. 2024!

If you're hunting for wool-cashmere sweaters in 2024, check out this lovely one from Kule, and Vince also has some. This Jenni Kayne cardigan/sweater jacket is fabulous. On the more casual side, Summersalt has a bunch!

Hunting for sweaters in a wool-alpaca blend? Stay tuned for our full roundup, but as of 2023 check out AllSaints and Buck Mason.

The Best Sweater Jackets for the Office

Warm Tweed Blazers to Wear as Separates

How to Do Business Casual in Cold Weather On Your Commute

Professional Coats to Keep You Warm in Cold Weather

Some of our favorite classic coats for work as of 2024 include: olive / blue / green / caramel / black / gray (not pictured but also) – and don't forget to check out our editors' favorite washable winter coats!

Although puffer coats have come a long way, I still think the most professional outerwear is a knee-length wool blend coat. It looks good with skirts and dresses because of its length, and the “wool blend” aspect is important because a 100%-wool coat can be really itchy. (I've always preferred a wool/cashmere blend.)

I would vote for practical features such as pockets and a buttoned neckline (as opposed to some of the deep-V coats we've seen recently).

As far as fit, make sure you can wear a thick sweater or a blazer beneath the coat — this may mean sizing up a bit.

There are a ton of fun trendy winter coats for work at Nordstrom this year – these are our favorites!

Cold Weather Boots for Work Outfits

As of 2024, some of our favorite general boots for work outfits include the ones below…

This depends heavily on where you live and what kind of circumstances you expect to encounter on a) your commute and b) your quest for lunch. If you're in tundra-like conditions you may just want to get a pair of proper snow boots to commute in (we've even talked about packable snow boots for interviews!)

For NYC winters I've always felt that you can usually find a fairly clear path on the sidewalk if you have a short commute, and have always thought heeled boots or booties were the best. If you think you'll encounter a bunch of snow or slush I'd recommend wearing a skirt (perhaps with fleece tights) so you can avoid getting your pant hems wet.

If you're worried about encountering ice, definitely go with flat shoes with a good grip (unless you're a total pro in heels). 

{related: here are all of our discussions on biking to work}

Commuting to Work in Bad Weather

Great Weatherproof Shoes

Hunting for weatherproof shoes for work? As of 2024, these are some of our favorites — also check out waterproof sneakers like Allbirds, and Tory Burch's rain loafers.

Great Weatherproof Knee-High Boots

As of 2024, these are some of our latest favorite weatherproof knee-high boots for work…

I mentioned this above, but I've always found a heeled boot or bootie the best for commuting, albeit with a relatively low heel (1.5-2.5″) if you'll be walking a ton.

Some people prefer wedges for commuting, and depending on conditions you may want to look for waterproofed shoes such as La Canadienne or Aquatalia.

(I've always had pretty good luck with waterproofing spray, but I wasn't exactly jumping in puddles.)

Ladies, what are your thoughts on staying professional on your commute? What would you advise Reader M? 

Pictured: [no title], originally uploaded to Flickr by Nathan Congleton. 

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