Wrap stars: Wide variety of choices in coats, jackets coming this fall

We’re into a new season, and before you know it, the hot, humid days of summer will be a distant memory and we’ll be going under cover. Yes, we’ll fight off fall chills with jackets, then don cozy coats when winter arrives.

If you’re shopping for a new winter coat this season, you’ll have your work cut out for you. Not because there’s nothing to choose from, but because there are so many styles in a deluge of colors, textures, lengths and fabrics.

If you’re tired of your safe but rather boring tailored coat of a neutral color, this is a good time to break out. Full coats, belted coats, car coats with great details, luxurious wrap coats, roomy “boyfriend coats” and boxy styles are some of the choices.

Coats are arriving in unexpected colors such as pastels. Yes, you’ll see pink, the palest of grays and soft peach. And even lighter than the pastels: white. Among the designers with snow white coats in their 2014 collections are Ralph Lauren, Bottega Venettta and Givenchy by Riccardo Tisel.

Color and texture blocking, mixed fabrics and reversible styles are other trends for winter.

Luxurious fur, whether faux or real, is used for details or for an entire coat. Ultra-warm and sturdy shearling showed up in many collections. A bomber jacket by Tommy Hilfiger combines several trends with texture blocking of shearling and leather.

Coats of menswear fabrics – tweed, bird’s-eye, herringbone – are not used for just tailored styles but also for the fuller silhouettes that can be belted or not. And if you’re a fan of plaid, you’ll have plenty to choose from.

Before winter arrives, a great choice is the double-faced, reversible jackets that offer a color choice.

A wide choice of faux leather bomber jackets, some with a distressed look, is great with jeans and casual looks. The transition season can be tricky, so look for jackets that can be worn as a layering piece over everything from a cotton shirt to a warm sweater.

With such an assortment and with manufacturers taking their cues from popular designers, it is a good coat season. Whether you prefer a coat that is structured or slouchy, long, short or in between, you’ll find a coat that fits your style, your body and your budget.

This story was originally published September 14, 2014 at 4:11 PM with the headline "Wrap stars: Wide variety of choices in coats, jackets coming this fall."