Baby, It's About to Get Freezing Cold Outside.

I'm trying desperately to ignore the latest weather reports of nearly freezing temperatures for tomorrow and Friday. I don't have anything that's really warm to combat this slight dip. All I have to keep me warm is one good jacket that's more for show than warmth, and a few fleece-lined hoodies left over from my (horribly maladroit) snowboarding days. Those tend to get rather bulky, and make me feel as if I just transformed into Mr. Stay Puft Marshmallow Man from Ghostbusters. You should see my Yetti impression when I'm wearing a faux-fur coat. Apparently it's quite hilarious after I've had a few drinks.

That's why I love this military coat from Kenneth Cole. Long-sleeved with both breast and in-seam pockets, the coat's shell is 60% wool, 30% polyester, along with 5% rayon and the rest is labeled as "other" fibers. The lining is 100% polyester. I like how this jacket could be a "wonderful coat" compliment, but you can't necessarily see what you're wearing under it (such as my pajamas while getting Starbuck's). I also like the look of the pleats; not too small, not too big. The coat comes in both gravel and black, as show. You can find it at Overstock.com.

Of course, the traditional pea coat is not a bad choice, either. Today a classic, the pea coat, or pea jacket, has military beginnings: it was used in the "cold weather uniform" worn by Navy sailors in Europe, most notably the British and Dutch. Coco Chanel helped keep the style popular in the early 20th century, as she boldly made ladies' clothing more androgynous than previous styles.

It's a great style to turn to, and I adore the peacoat I found at Delias.com. It comes in an array of colors, including classic black, sunny yellow, and seductive pomegranate. The oversized hook-and-eye closure at the neck is my fave part. There's nothing more to dislike than to have only your neck be cold because the coat does not button there!
The just-as-classic trench coat has been a must-have for the fall, and will continue to be one through the new year. I especially like the Latte by Coffee Shop Plaid Trench at Nordstrom. It has a fuller skirt than most coats in the back, which gives this coat a unique twist. The bow is also a nice touch, a little fun in something that someone else may perceive as serious. "Business in the front, party in the back" may be the slogan for mullets, but I think this coat gives the saying a whole new, sophisticated meaning. Unfortunately, others may have liked this coat a bit too much: I had found my size a few weeks ago, but it is no longer available! When choosing coats, it's important to make an investment in its color as well as its durability. I tend to go for one solid color or a plaid pattern. Black is definitely my favorite jacket color if it's solid; green or burgundy-based palettes if it's a pattern. I'm obsessed with buttons since inheriting my mother's button collection, and those can be easily changed out. What color and style is your favorite coat, shown here or at home?

Special thanks to the 1984 Columbia Pictures film Ghostbusters.