October is the right month to buy a winter coat. The new season's stock is in and sizes are still available. A good coat is one of the few garments worth buying carefully: you will wear it nearly every day for four or five months, and a well-chosen one can last five to ten winters. Here is how to pick a coat you will still be glad to reach for years from now.
Start with your actual winter
The best coat matches how you really spend cold days, not the coldest day you can imagine. If you mostly walk from a heated garage to a heated office, a mid-weight wool coat or a lighter insulated jacket will serve you better than an expedition parka you will overheat in. If you walk to a train or wait on platforms, you need real wind protection, a longer length, and insulation that holds up in damp air.
