A warm coat is a must in the Northern climate I live in (Portland, OR), and it’s tough to find a good coat that goes with a number of different outfits (and that isn’t a huge amount of money).  Of course, something that one wears daily from September-June of the year should be an investment piece, but that doesn’t mean it has to be a significant chunk of change.  If you can time the purchase of such a piece to a seasonal sale, or buy from a retailer that offers great brands at affordable prices, then half the work is already done for you.

I love checking out the coat selection at Macy’s because as a national retailer they carry select brands such as Steve Madden and Nine West, that are both trend-driven but easy on the wallet.  Plus, they offer sales all the time!  (And they’re offering one right now, in fact!!)

Many of their brands (including designers such as Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, Vince Camuto, and DKNY) also offer styles that are exclusive to Macy’s – meaning you won’t be wearing the same topper as 3 other random people at the holiday party.

I fell in love with this two-toned Nine West coat, that I’ve been wearing nonstop since it arrived.  The shape is beautiful and the colorblocking instantly dresses up even the most beat-up pair of jeans beneath.  It’s very high-quality for the price, and the stiff outer wool is withstanding the abuse I throw at it without losing its shape or collapsing.  It’s now my go-to work cover-up, that can go from the studio to a client meeting seamlessly.

Style&Co. Vest, Faux-Fur Trim Hooded Puffer in Ebony Black, $40.99

For an edgier feel (or dressed-down casual wear), a puffer vest is a great piece.  This Style&Co vest is supremely affordable at just under $41, featuring a removable hood and great hardware details.  It’s perfect as a layer for when it’s not too chilly out, and thrown over or under another coat it’s amazingly toasty.

Ordering from Macy’s online is super-simple (orders over $99 ship free!), and my package even came with a slip to rate their packing job (!).  Macys.com even has this cool feature where you can create a poll of items you like, and share it on Facebook with your friends to get their input.  Social sharing at its most fun!

Now that my personal coat shopping for this season is complete…I can now focus on the next hurdle: Christmas gifts!!  Eeek!

Stay chic~

Carly