Your perfect winter coat is out there – and it’s a necessity when the weather drops below 18°C. Here are some tips to help you find the one for you.

It’s an equally exciting and daunting prospect, going out shopping for the elusive winter coat that will keep you warm and make you feel more put-together than a hoodie and ugg boots. There are so many styles, colours and price tags to choose from. Who knew finding “the” coat required a checklist?
Well, it does. So here you go:
Quality
The best fabrics for warmth are wool and cashmere… and ain’t nobody got time for cashmere when there are other things to buy! Many coats are a blend of materials, and the percentages/ratios differ from coat to coat. Polyester and acrylic will do little to keep you warm, so pick a coat with the highest percentage of wool that you can find.
Style
Knowing your body type will help narrow down your search. For guys, a traditional coat ends midway between your thigh and your knee. Double- or single-breasted, belted or unbelted – it all depends on your body shape. For women, full-length coats only really work on taller people, while mid-thigh-length coats work for most ladies.
Fit
Few coats will provide 100% of the heat you need to stay in a decent mood during the winter months. Buy your winter coat one size bigger than you would buy a normal jacket so that you have room for layers underneath. Buying a coat that fits perfectly over your favourite white T-shirt means not being able to tie your shoe laces when you swap your tee for a chunky knit!
Versatility and colour
Dressier vs sportier: it’s the age-old battle. A formal coat is great for the office, but will look out of place at a weekend braai. A duffel coat will work well for less formal offices and at your kid’s soccer match on Saturday. The winter coat you choose should last you a long time. As tempting as a polka dot coat may be, start with neutrals such as black, navy, grey or camel.
Final note: There’s one thing that every single good winter coat should have… pockets. (If for no other reason than to stash a winter runny nose tissue!)
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Treat yourself, and invest in a warm winter coat today. Your RCS Card gives you access to the RCS shopping network of over 21 000 stores, including top fashion brands!