10 Stylish Coats for Fall and Winter

Double Breasted Top Coat (Winter)

For all-out luxury this fall, invest in a really nice top coat. No matter how much you spend, you won't have to do it for at least another ten years if you choose wisely. A top coat, or overcoat, is really the only option for wearing over a suit or formal wear, so it's worth having a nice one in your wardrobe. A classic look that will last for years, and also happens to be having an "It" moment, is the double breasted top coat, which was featured in practically every major designer's collection for fall. Invest in one of these and you'll simultaneously be of-the-moment and classic.

Burberry's cotton-blend coat with shearling collar adds instant flair ($2,295), while Dolce & Gabbana's version is in camel cashmere for flat-out decadence ($3545, dolcegabanna.com)

Bomber Jacket (Fall)

If you need a sporty look for when fall is getting crisp, take the edge off with a versatile bomber jacket. Also known as a flight jacket, the bomber started its life as a flight jacket for the military, and was later adopted by rockers in the 80s. Nowadays, this classic short style jacket still maintains its rugged, cool roots, and is a perennial favorite for weekends and nights out.

You can go with a sleek, rock-and-roll edgy number in black nylon, like Lanvin's Band Collar Bomber ($1,395), or soften up the look for a preppier spin with AMI by Alexandre Mattiussi's burgundy, corduroy version ($665, barneys.com).

Toggle Coat (Winter)

A casual, relaxed, nautical-inspired toggle coat is a great cold weather alternative. You're basically wearing a really warm wool blanket you can unbutton while wearing gloves. Or even mittens. And, it has a hood. Shrug it on over your biggest sweaters on cold days and brave winter in comfort and style.

Mark McNairy's Woolrich Woolen Mills Toggle has a blanket stripe pattern in grey ($750), Gloverall goes full nautical in navy with white toggles ($645, barneys.com), while Burberry London's Renfrew wool toggle coat gives the look a shorter, sleeker city edge ($1,595, bloomingdales.com).

Shirt Jacket (Fall)

Thinking of doing a little hunting or fishing this fall, or maybe you just want to look like you are? The shirt jacket, also called a field jacket, is your perfect go-to for rustic, outdoorsy style when the weather is just starting to get crisp. Later in the season you can use it as an extra layer over sweaters. Many designers have taken this classic Town and Country look in a more tailored, upscale city direction this season.

Rag & Bone has a killer version in a grey wool blanket stripe ($495), AR does it in a plaid flannel ($795, barneys.com) and That's It forgoes stripes and plaid for a quilted jacquard pattern ($475, barneys.com).

Puffer Coat (Winter)

Whether you're rocking a puffer coat in a hip hop chic way or in an Aspen slopes kind of way, you've got to have a little swagger to pull it off. A seriously warm alternative for winter, a down-filled puffer coat will keep you warm in the harshest conditions, and keep you looking cool at the same time. If you're adding a puffer coat this fall, you can't beat the undisputed King of down coats, Italy's Moncler. Their stand-out Zin coat, in a notice-me gold, is loaded with amenities - zip out lining, removable hood - and packed with Italian Alps cool ($1,395). RLX Ralph Lauren's Glacier down jacket in blue is ski-instructor chic ($295, bloomingdales.com), and for a twist on the look, opt instead for a sporty puffer vest like the Campus down vest by Gant by Michael Bastian in yellow with brown corduroy accents ($380, gant.com).

Raincoat (Fall)

Everyone needs a raincoat, which sadly you will only wear under the gloomiest of conditions. Given the unfortunate circumstances during which you will be wearing it, it pays to get a cheerful, bright colored mac to combat a grey day. Beyond the psychological benefits of choosing a brightly colored raincoat, the practical advantage of being more visible in bad conditions is not a bad thing, either.

You definitely won't go unnoticed in N. Hoolywood's bright yellow, hooded raincoat ($1,825, barneys.com), or Junya Watanabe Comme des Garcons Man's fiery red Mac jacket ($1,395).

Waxed Cotton Jacket (Fall)

Waxed cotton jackets, more closely associated with country sport clothing and British motorcyclists, is making a big move into high fashion this fall, as seen on the runways of Burberry Prorsum, Louis Vuitton and Missoni. Waxed cotton is an incredibly durable, waterproof material - it's literally cotton canvas soaked in paraffin wax - and will last for years with a little TLC and an annual rewaxing. Never, ever wash a waxed cotton item of clothing. Rather, wash it with a damp cloth and let it dry; removing the wax by machine washing will destroy the canvas' waterproofing. DSquared2 references waxed cotton's roots as a motorcyclist jacket with their waxed denim Biker jacket ($1,890, dsquared2.com), Barbour, the originators of waxed cotton in Scotland, line their traditional chocolate brown bomber jacket with plaid ($379, barneys.com), while Levi's and Filson team up for an unusual, shiny black denim trucker jacket ($278).

Wool Peacoat (Winter)

Borne out of British and American naval tradition, the thoroughly masculine wool pea coat also evokes images of swinging 1960s London and endures today as a hard-working winter staple. The short, double-breasted jacket immediately adds sex appeal to your winter wardrobe, with many designers adding modern details to update the classic beyond the scratchy Army/Navy surplus version with gold buttons. John Varvatos Star USA updates the jacket with nylon puffer sleeves and a hood ($550, bloomingdales.com), Agnes B x Barneys New York gives it a twist in charcoal grey ($495, barneys.com), and Paul Smith color blocks it in grey and navy ($780).