No matter where you live in this vast country of ours, that first burst of winter has already left you shivering. By now, we’ve all dug into the dark reaches of the coat closet to pull out something warm to wear outside and, just this week, I witnessed women shopping for coats out of—gasp—necessity. These acts of desperation just may lead you to reach for the trusty cheap black ski jacket. Heaven forbid. Most Canadians spend the better part of five months in their cozy winter coat. This year, it’s time to change it up. So we challenge you to invest in your winter wardrobe and try one of our three top choices in fabulous new coat styles.

Brazen Loves: These 3 Winter Coats

1. DENIM DRESS-UP

What it is: The newly-launched FREED brand—from generations-old, Winterpeg-based Freed & Freed International—combines classic materials like tweed and knit and fur with contemporary styling and technology. All converge excellently in the menswear-inspired Torontonian.

What we love: The sleeves are 3/4 length and finished with long, wide-rib knit cuffs. While it may look more like a fall style, each FREED coat features Dintex—a waterproof and breathable membrane which is highly weatherproof, wind resistant, recyclable and completely non-toxic. This membrane offers exactly what we want for winter: considerable warmth with no bulk. It also includes something so handy, we can’t live without it: a removable down vest, making the Torontonian a true 3-in-1 style.

The Bottom Line: This relaxed-style coat has lots of room for a sweater and looks great with any casual outfit including all styles of denim.

$895. Available at Holt Renfrew stores nationwide.

2. WORKING GIRL 

What it is: Whether you wear a suit to work or it’s business as usual casual, this Ted Baker Laureol coat is the ideal topper for heading to the office—and then out for dinner and drinks at night.

What we love: In a deep shade of midnight blue that will warm up your skin tone better boring black, it’s designed in a ladylike style that flatters any shape and fits equally well over pants and boots and it does while following the lines of a skirt or dress. Either way, it will keep you covered right down past your thighs. The skinny black patent belt takes us back to 50s pretty while the wide shawl collar and pleats add interest.

The Bottom Line: This coat is almost like an outfit in and of itself!

$595. Available at Ted Baker stores and online.

3. INVESTMENT COAT 

What it is: The Queen Charlotte really is the pinnacle when it comes to sleek warmth and style. Don’t let the sticker shock of this gorgeous FREED coat overcome you. There’s a lot of bang for your bucks here.

 

What we love: For starters, this coat is made from 100% English tweed wool that gives it a classic, sophisticated look. It also has many mechanics that will keep you toasty: the snap-out down vest, the high-tech Dintex membrane, 100% British virgin fleece lining, genuine leather trim and, a must-have this season, removable natural fur-trimmed hood. Watch this coat transition seamlessly from season to season and take you from day to night, whatever you’re doing.

The Bottom Line: Spend a little more, and you really can wear one coat everywhere. That’s why we call it an Investment Coat. 

$1,275. Available at Holt Renfrew stores nationwide.

So, tell us! Are you going to splurge on a new coat this year?