In Pursuit of One Great Jacket

I'm not sure it exists.

Whether you love the colder weather or merely exist in it by complaining your way through May 1st, there is one undeniable truth about the winter ­– a good coat can change your life. Sorry to my west coast and warm weather friends but in my opinion, you are missing an opportunity to thrive. A good coat can have a lot of definitions, of course. For starters, there is the practical purpose kind of jacket, something that wraps you up and keeps you warm as you walk home, protecting you from the very real threats of things like hypothermia. Then there’s the “winter-winter,” coat as I like to call it — the one that doesn’t exactly go with most outfits, but is so warm that you feel like you can stay outside all day.

My unfortunate go-to is the sometimes-impractical but still absolutely a look jacket. This one is probably one layer, perhaps of leather (shout out to Zoë Kravitz and her jacket from High Fidelity)? This coat looks amazing with all of your outfits, but if it drops a few degrees from the end of the workday to the end of your dinner, you are shivering and begging for the car heater to warm up or the subway to come quicker. There are ways around it with layers and scarves, but you can’t do that every single time you get dressed. This coat serves a purpose, and that is not necessarily warmth.

Anyway, this is all to say that because I could never seem to marry the two concepts successfully, I actually have way too many coats. I hate to admit it, but it’s the truth. I’m positive there is something out there that can accomplish both things, but I just love wearing all the ones I’ve acquired so much, and they all serve a unique purpose.

Let me give you an example.

I have this vegan fur jacket that was a gift from a brand called NOIZE. It’s white and stops just above my ankles, it’s perfectly elegant, and a little big on me. It’s kind of obnoxious to wear on the subway, where I feel I could stain it at any turn. Because it’s oversized and not snug enough, when a cool breeze comes by … I feel it. It’s not the jacket’s fault, it’s the wearer’s for not recognizing the climate she lives in, and still I’ll never let it go. Then I have my jackets that are built for freezing cold weather. I actually have two from The Arrivals because they are built to last forever. No wind is getting in, and no subway will stop me from wearing them. I also cherish my vintage jackets, several that I’ve collected since high school and some I don’t even have anymore but still think about. One in particular was a pilot’s jacket made of soft buttery leather. The shoulders were permanently stiff and wide from the former wearer and it probably looked kind of ridiculous. I don’t remember why I sold it, but I often go to my closet looking for it only to sadly recall that it’s gone.

As I head into the days where a jacket is an integral part of my outfit, I want to be more appreciative of them. I don’t want to complain too much about it being too cold, I just want to be thoughtful and thankful for what they give me. I think part of the reason I have so many coats is because I am constantly looking for the perfect one. But that doesn’t exist, they’re like a removable second skin that those of us who bear the brunt of cold months can wear as armor. Like today: it was rainy, but had stopped by the time I had to leave. Perfect for my vintage camel and leopard print trench over a hooded sweatshirt. I had one girl ask me where I got it, and I couldn’t even remember because I had it for so long. I lied a little and said it was one-of-a-kind, because for me, it is.

In the spirit of celebrating the perfect jacket let’s make sure everyone has one this winter. Here’s where you can donate your coats or start a coat drive yourself.

One Warm Coat has several locations around the United States that can be found here. Make sure your coat is only gently worn with no stains or holes before donating.

You can also host a coat drive (virtual or in person) and register it here. By doing this you can link up with a nonprofit in your area to make sure coats get to those who may need it this winter.