Labor Day has come and gone, kids are back in school, the leaves are just beginning to change, and pumpkin spice lattes are back at Starbucks. Yep, it’s that time of year again. While it’s still undeniably warm and sunny outside, there’s no question that the evenings are getting just a bit cooler, and the morning air just a bit crisper. Of course we should enjoy the above 80 temps while we can, but that’s no excuse for not planning ahead.
Fall is upon us, and whether you like it or not, that refreshing chill in the air is about to transform into full-blown blistering cold. But don’t start dusting off your old winter coat just yet. Autumn is like Goldilocks’ perfect bowl of oatmeal. It’s that wonderful time of year when it’s delightful to be outside because it’s cool, but not freezing. We’re glad to bid the sweltering, humid summer heat adieu and welcome in the gorgeous Fall foliage and brisk Autumn breezes that come with it. A winter parka would only cramp our style and turn us into sweaty messes. But sundresses and tank tops will no longer do the trick, either. Follow what I’m saying? Yes, that’s right. You need the perfect fall coat.
Fall coats are transitional, so you need something that balances the 2 seasons before and after fall. You don’t want to go too dark and dreary, because we’re still allowed to play around with color this time of year. But with fall comes slightly more muted, darker, deeper hues, so you don’t want to stand out in neon or pastels amid the changing leaves. You also want a breathable material that can also keep you warm. Fall can be unpredictable, with some days and weeks much colder than the next. You shouldn’t be wasting your hard-earned money on a coat for every occasion, so make sure it can take you from 60 to 40 degrees, day to night to city to country. And most importantly, a fall coat is not a bangle or a mini skirt. A fall coat is an item you want to be able to reuse for seasons and seasons to come. So don’t buy the trendiest coat on the rack. Buy something you love, something classic, and something durable. If you can see yourself wearing it five years down the road, then you should be reaching for your credit card. Not sure the cut or color or style or material will make it to September 2013? Then it probably shouldn’t make its way to the checkout line either.
Considering a coat must go with every outfit, every purse, every pair of shoes, and every attitude, and considering this will be the defining piece of your wardrobe that people will see for the next few months, there’s no way I can tell you exactly what to buy. This is entirely up to you. Need a few suggestions? That’s where I come in. Click through at the options below for some inspiration on bundling up, and then let me know in the comments section below what style best represents YOU this fall!
After graduating from college in ’09, Allyson Barkan flew off to Greece to teach English Literature at a private high school and explore Greek and European culture for a year. Since returning stateside, she now works in Entertainment Public Relations in New York City. For travel advice, stray observations as a 20-something in the big city, and the occasional hilarious misadventure, follow Allyson atwww.allysonbarkan.com and on twitter at @aebarkan.
