Chic & Cozy Coats | January Stylish Monday Link Up
I am back after a long weekend/mental health break from blogging and I am joining the amazing ladies of the Stylish Monday group to showcase our chic and cozy coats for winter. Stylish Monday is a monthly series published in collaboration with a group of 14 international fashion and lifestyle bloggers. It is another opportunity to be creative with our personal style as we join together each month with a style prompt or theme. We also host a link party where anyone is welcome to add their fashion and style posts. Scroll to the bottom of the post to find links to visit all of my fashion friends as well as join the link party.
I know I say this about many different categories of things that are kept in my closet, but I definitely have a bit of a coat addiction. I have always had a special fondness for statement coats but never really had the need for an entire coat wardrobe until we settled into the frigid winters of the North Country. Before I get to the business of fashion statements and outerwear and all that fun stuff, I do have to indulge my inner geek and share a bit of statistical information about where I live.
We moved to Watertown, New York, in 2013, where the winters are long and cold and the summers are short and mild. We are located approximately 70 miles north of Syracuse, 25 miles south of the Thousand Islands, and about 5 miles east of the mouth of the Black River where it meets Lake Ontario. Heading north out of town, it is a short 31 mile drive on Interstate 81 to reach the Canadian border taking you into Ontario. Not that I can do anything at the border these days except turn around and head back home! But I am close enough to have picked up a very slight Canadian accent over these past 8 years. It makes my friends and family further south chuckle at the shift in my sound.
My little city of approximately 27,000 people cannot boast about diversity (86% white), but it does claim to be the birthplace of the five and dime store as well as the safety pin. It is also the home of Little Trees air fresheners and the longest continuously running county fair in the United States. The first portable steam engine was manufactured in Watertown, New York. And we are home to the Red and Black Football Franchise which is the oldest surviving semi-professional football team in the country.
Until the American Revolutionary War, this region was part of the Iroquois Confederacy and it is still rich with history from that culture. I definitely need to explore more in my area on that topic as I have long been fascinated with the history and culture of indigenous peoples. Today, Watertown serves as the commercial and financial center for the expansive rural area that surrounds us. The closest major community to us is Fort Drum which is just a few miles north and home to approximately 13,000 military personnel and their family members.
Some notable people throughout history who have claimed Watertown, New York, as home include actors Richard Grieco and Vigo Mortensen, founder of the W. Woolworth Company Frank Winfield Woolworth, and a whole bunch of high ranking political people and sports figures whom I have never heard of.
Now you may be wondering what the heck all this has to do with a post about coats…I’m getting there, slowly but surely, taking the long way around as I like to do sometimes.
Here’s a little peek at the climate of Watertown, New York, which may help to illustrate reasons for my having an extensively overabundant coat wardrobe.
The average annual snowfall here is 102.1 inches of snow compared the national average of 27.8 inches. We experience some sort of precipitation 163 days per year compared to the national average of 106 days. We get 162 sunny days each year while the rest of the nation has 205 of those days. The average high temperature in the summer is 79.8 degrees Fahrenheit (26.5 degrees Celsius) and the average winter low is 9.3 degrees Fahrenheit (-12.6 degrees Celsius). The national averages are 85.8 degrees Fahrenheit for a high and 21.7 degrees Fahrenheit for a low.
We live in a snow belt where lake effect storms are common and can easily dump 4 feet of snow in one short storm. Depending how the wind shifts, you can’t even rely on weather forecasts when the snow starts moving over across Lake Ontario. We joke that if a moose sneezes, it could shift the snow bands directly on top of us.
If you have never witnessed a lake effect snowstorm, I have to tell you that it is one of the most breathtaking and awesome things to see. When snow falls at a rate of 5-6 inches per hour, you cannot even see your neighbor’s house and complete white out situations occur. North Country folks are very adept at speedy snow removal and clean up, so we really do have the luxury of sitting back and enjoying the beauty of a raging snowstorm knowing with confidence that as soon as the snow stops, the roads will quickly be cleared and life will resume as normal…except with a very snowy background. Once we get that first big snowfall of the season, it never really gets warm enough to melt it all until May.
With over 20 days per year that temperatures fall below 0 degrees Fahrenheit, Watertown is considered one of the coldest places in New York State. Our neighbor to the north, Fort Drum hosts many winter training events for soldiers all throughout the United States Army. In fact, troops stationed in Alaska are frequently sent to Fort Drum for cold weather training because it often gets colder here than in Alaska.
I have seen the first snowflakes of the season arrive as early as late September and I have had to scrape ice and snow from my windshield in the early weeks of June. In my 8 years here, the only months when I have never seen a snowflake have been July and August. And this, my friends, is why my coat wardrobe has grown exponentially since moving to this cold and snowy place. But the summers are mild and beautiful and there is absolutely no shortage of activities for people who enjoy the outdoors any time of year.
Another really great thing about this area is the abundance of thrift shops. My favorite thing ever to search for in second hand shops is coats. Since living here, I have added at least a dozen new preloved statement coats that I have found at various second hand stores in my area. Loving the drama of a faux fur coat, I could not resist this white furry beauty when I spotted it a few years back in a local consignment shop. Fortunately for me, not too many people dress up the way I do in these rural parts of northern New York so I was able to stalk this coat for a while until it was on clearance for under $10.
The rest of my outfit I created with our newest Good Buy/Good-Bye Book theme of Monochrome in mind. My forever favorite color is green and I wanted to put together a monochromatic outfit in gorgeous shades of verdigris. Almost my entire outfit was found in local thrift shops. In fact, the only things not thrifted are my boots and earrings. Everything else…coat, skirt, sweater, hat, necklace, and clutch are all preloved items.
Here are links to view some of my other favorite preloved coats that I have added to my collection of outerwear throughout the years.
- Winter White Boucle Coat (Salvation Army NWT. Also shown here.)
- Vintage Long Black Faux Fur Coat (Solitary Consignment-Gift from my husband. Also shared here, here, here, here, here.)
- Tan LL Bean Trench Coat (Solitary Consignment)
- Black Wool Pea Coat (Solitary Consignment. Also shared here.)
- Leopard Print Coat (Solitary Consignment. Also shown here and here.)
- White Faux Fur Coat (From this post. Also shown here.)
- Tweed Overcoat (Urban Mission-Impossible Dream Thrift Shop)
- Olive Green Wool Military Overcoat (Salvation Army)
- Red Trench Coat (Salvation Army)
- Vintage Leopard Coat (Salvation Army)
- Tan Trench Coat (Salvation Army)
Do you have favorite things in your wardrobe that you enjoy collecting? Perhaps you don’t live in perpetual winter and collect things like sunglasses and swim suits instead. Or maybe baseball hats and graphic tees are more your thing. Let me know in the comments!
Now let’s check out my chic and cozy friends all bundled up in their best styles for winter!
Ada of Elegance and Mommyhood
“I think coats are a closet staple if you live in the Midwest. We have had our share of cold weather and snow as you will see from this post today, but overall it is mild (that means in the 30s & 40s for us). Speaking of closet staples, if you don’t own a Winter White or Cream one yet, you should. I think a classic wool coat in cream will be timeless and it can last you for several years to come. I love mine (it’s from Loft from last year and both Loft and Old Navy have almost identical ones this year). Stop by the blog today to see sweet Vivian also, in a pretty blush pink coat.”
Ada
Amy of Amy’s Creative Pursuits
“As a Wisconsin Gal, we have severe winters and live in parkas all season long. I have parkas of all styles, lengths, and colors filling my closet, but for this challenge I wanted more of a statement coat so I chose a very old pea coat that rarely gets worn. It’s a fun, unique coat, but not that practical for my climate.”
Amy
Andy of Pearls and Pantsuits
“I’ve had this snuggly leopard print coat from Chico’s for several years now, and find myself reaching for it again and again. It’s the perfect little layer for our milder winters, and for my cold office! Not to mention that anything leopard is always a good idea!”
Andy
Emma of Style Splash
“It has turned really cold and frosty here in the UK so I need a warm coat. This vintage cream one is perfect as it’s long and has a hood to keep the snow off my hair…yes, we’ve had snow! I found it in a charity shop for less than £10…such a fantastic bargain!”
Emma
Gwen of Gwen Lives Well
“Needless to say, living in Florida, I don’t get much of a chance to adorn my winter gear. Sure, we get a few days in the 50s, but generally, a leather jacket or wool poncho is all you need. So while I donated most of my ‘heavy winter coats from my New York life’ collection ages ago, I still have a few favorites, which I share on the blog. The coat pictured here was purchased just a few years ago, as an in-between coat – not for weather that’s too cold, but cold enough for more than a wool poncho! Perfect for New York in November, pre-pandemic, 2019.”
Gwen
Julie of Fashion Trends and Friends
“Winter coats, jackets, gloves, mittens, hats and scarves are all a must have living in Illinois! Of course, a girl can never have too many of varying colors, lengths and styles! I might just have two closets full! This long length plaid (I’m always mad for plaid!) coat was a must have from Old Navy this year! It’s the first plaid coat in my collection! I think it pairs great with my star sweater and these navy fur trimmed boots. Every winter I think I might add a coat or two to my collection! After all, it is the thing everyone sees first in the winter!”
Julie
Michele of @seechele_styles
“This fur leopard coat is reversible to a rain coat…it’s over 15 years old and will never go out of style!”
Michele
Nancy of Nancy’s Fashion Style
“I always have a lot of trouble finding the perfect winter coat! This one wasn’t! On the blog post from last Friday, I am wearing the perfect one. This one has a fabulous color but that’s all it has. No pockets, no lining, no collar. It was given to me and I really loved the color, but passed it on!”
Nancy
Nicole of High Latitude Style
“In Interior Alaska, winter lasts about seven months. Temperatures can be anywhere between 40 below (or less) zero to slightly above the freezing point. While around the freezing point a loden coat works fine, a heavy down coat is a Must at 40 below. These coats make everyone look like the Michelin Men. Shearling or goat coats work fine down to -30C (~-22F).”
Nicole
Nina of Sharing a Journey
“I love styling coats and jackets in the winter; layering accessories, playing with shapes and colors. In today’s post, I am sharing a few thoughts on elevating your coat styling game.”
Nina
Suzanne of Ask Suzanne Bell
“As someone who wears a lot of black and denim, a fun coat is an instant game-changer. From animal print to bright red – I like my coats to be fun. Throw some faux fur into the mix, even better. And yes, I have been known to wear a coat over my pajamas!”
Suzanne
And me…
“I have a bit of an obsession with coats especially since I live in a snow belt where winters are long and frigid. And I am usually drawn to dramatic statement coats which I love to search for in thrift shops. That is where I found this Jordache white faux fur coat a few years ago and it cost less than $10. I don’t wear it often but when I do, I feel like a fancy polar bear!”
Shelbee
What type of coats do you need in your climate? Do you incorporate your outerwear as part of the entire outfit? I always have to make sure my coat matches the outfit beneath it!
Keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
Linking up with these Fabulous Link Parties.
Shop my look…
Outfit Details: Hat, Necklace, Sweater, Skirt, Coat, and Clutch-All Thrifted / Boots-Shoe Dazzle / Earrings-Michal Golan
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.
44 Comments
Tamar A Strauss-Benjamin
These are all so gorgeous and warm!
I finally bought a new day to day/ski coast yesterday, hours outside my old one was not up to par!
I have a “shabbas coat” but alas no synagogue or theater nights means it’s in waiting!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Tamar! New coats are always good to have! I would love to see your shabbas coat. I assume it is a dressier coat for synagogue and theater nights. Have a great week, my friend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Suzy
Shelbee, I can’t tell you how much I ADORE this entire outfit! That jacket is the epitome of sophistication. I can see you stepping out of the 1920s wearing it (with lots and lots of your pearls!). I just love it. And then there’s that fabulous green sweater underneath. It’s absolutely gorgeous! It’s similar to a green poncho I bought from Ireland a few years ago. Just stunning, my friend!
I must say, I really loved to read about Watertown (I hope I spelt that right). It sounds like it’s absolutely freaking FREEZING over there lol! Here I am, moaning about the unusually cold temperatures in Portugal at the moment lol (during the day it has been as cold as 5ºC and down to –3ºC at night). I can totally see why you need so many coats 😉
I think there are some gorgeous coats worn by the other gals in your group too. I particularly love the animal print and the plaid one!
Big hugs to you, my friend.
Stay warm out there lol!
Suzy xxx
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Suzy, thank you so much, my friend! I found this green sweater about two weeks ago on a weekend thrifting adventure. I could not resist the color! It is a really heavy wool blend though and it’s kind of itchy so I have to wear a long sleeve tee underneath it. But I can never resist a gorgeous green anything! And I do love my dramatic faux fur coats! I have a bunch including 3 different leopard print ones. I just keep adding coats to wardrobe with no room left to put them! Ha. And I would totally okay with lows of 3 degrees Celsius. LOL But it is all relative! I hope you have a wonderful week ahead, my friend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jennifer
Thanks for sharing about your town. Some super interesting things. Love your green outfit!
Jennifer
Curated By Jennifer
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Jennifer! It was fun to share! I hope you have a wonderful week.
xoxo
Shelbee
Amy Johnson
I think your entire outfit, not just your coat is amazing! I have an old fur in my closet that I should have used for this challenge. Your photo location shoot is amazing too!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Amy! I actually photographed this outfit before I knew the theme, but it was perfect for a coat post! I do love dramatic topper pieces! I hope you have a fabulous week ahead, my friend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Nancy
So now I know al about your area! And I know you had a relaxing and recharging weekend. Lol. Thats a great coat! Love it! Very stylish. But I also love the outfit, especially the boots!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Nancy! My relaxing weekend ended up being incredibly productive…I did a complete renovation of my cloffice and hallway…cleaned up and repainted and some extra shelves added. I will try to share photos on the blog soon. I hope you have a great week ahead, my friend!
xoxo
Shelbee
mireille
This was so interesting to read about your town! Wow, that is a lot of snow and cold weather. While we little southerners wish for snow, I am not sure how we would handle living in that much snow. And no wonder you find such gems at thrift store with a nice selection of stores around you. I love the outfit with all of the green and that coat is gorgeous! That close up pic of your face makes you look like a snow queen and is just a beautiful shot!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Aw, Mireille, thank you so much, my friend. I have been feeling rather down these past months so that compliment really means the world to me. When I first moved to this snowy place, I never thought I would survive! But with a growing collection of pretty coats, I guess I can stand it here for a bit longer! At least until the kids graduate from high school. Then I might be headed your way!
xoxo
Shelbee
Ellibelle
Love this outfit! Especially the sweater and that gorgeous green!! And everything coordinates so well to complete this look! So nice learning a little bit about that part of the US. I don’t think I’ve experienced a lake effect snow storm, but surely the icy cold Lake Michigan winds when we visited Chicago in winter.
Ellibelle’s Corner
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Ellie! I do love all shades of green so I had lots of fun with this outfit. We get the icy cold like Chicago but with all the extra snow! It really is a sight to behold when the snows falls at 5 inches an hour! I hope you have a wonderful week ahead, my friend.
xoxo
Shelbee
jodie filogomo
Yep…you need a coat like that where you live and you got such a great deal!!!!
Love it Shelbee,
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Jodie! We are actually have a fairly mild winter this year. It’s kind of weird! But then again, everything is weird in the world right now.
xoxo
Shelbee
Emma Peach
Such a beautiful outfit Shelbee, and the coat is gorgeous! I found it really interesting to read about where you live. I’m not sure I could cope with weather that cold for so long! But it does give you a good excuse to buy more coats!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Emma, thanks so much! I didn’t think I would tolerate this climate for as long as I have but now I guess I am adapted fairly well to it. Until my cold flashes hit! My kids are completely arctic babies having lived here nearly their entire lives. I have to fight with them to wear a coat in winter. So they really only need two coats each which leaves more room to store my coat collection. Haha.
xoxo
Shelbee
Gail
This is a very glamorous look Shelbee – I love it! The faux fur, the cute cloche hat, and the stunning green outfit underneath. I love your interesting little tidbits – the inventor of the safety pin! I don’t know where I would be without that invention because I use safety pins all the time to cover up my shortcomings in sewing!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Gail! I love all these shades of green, too! This was fun to style and I felt totally glam wearing it! And look how we are connected now by safety pins! Ha. That is too cute! Have a fabulous week, my friend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Nicole from High Latitude Style
Hi Shelbee,
Happy New Year (belated). I love your outfit. The sweater looks amazing with the floral skirt! Cute beanie.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Nicole! I had fun with this combination. Happy New Year to you as well!
xoxo
Shelbee
Lizzie
The green looks so great on you!
Lizzie
http://www.lizzieinlace.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Lizzie, thank you so much! It is my very favorite color ever!
xoxo
Shelbee
Shauna
I’m glad that you took a break, and I’m happy you are back! I think we ALL needed a major break after the events of last week. Love this look on you too!
Shauna
http://www.lipglossandlace.net
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Shauna! I just shared the little project that I worked on during my mental health weekend! Oh and I featured your adorable fur trimmed houndstooth coat in it, too!
xoxo
Shelbee
Angie
Hi, Shelbee – I just want to say I love your white fur coat! What a fabulous find 😉 I also enjoy your writing and often get a chuckle at how you say things. Lol! It is fascinating to hear about how you appreciate the beauty of the weather where you now live. Thanks for sharing – Angie, http://www.yourtrueselfblog.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Angie, thank you so very much! I do like to keep my sense of humor in all things that I do! So it makes me really happy to know that I can make you chuckle. People who know me very well often say that I write exactly as I speak and that they tend to read the things I write in my voice. I don’t know why, but that makes me laugh! Someone else hearing my voice in their head!
Appreciating the intense winters here is just another shift in perspective to keep things positive! It is cold and snowy, but it is quiet and rural with few people so less much less chaos especially in times of pandemics and riots! I have felt very safe where I live especially this past year…removed from the bulk of society.
I hope you are safe and healthy as well, my friend! Have a fabulous week ahead.
xoxo
Shelbee
Suzanne
Happy New year Shelbee! Now before we get to your fabulous coat, can we talk about how AMAZING you look in the color green? Wow! Now to your beanie – adorable and so perfectly styled with your outfit. Now the coat, what a steal!!! I’m jealous of your coat collection and with our weather here, I just can’t have so many. So what do I collect? Long cardigans! (something I wear year-round here) along with jeans and shoes. What a fabulous link up this month!
xx Suzanne
http://www.AskSuzanneBell.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Suzanne, thank you so much, my friend! This was a really fun prompt for this month. I debated sharing a round up of my favorite coats, but then I got too lazy to go searching through all my posts! Green is my very favorite color but it is rather difficult to find it so I don’t own piles of brighter shades of green like I do other things. It sounds like your long cardigan collection rivals my coat collection! But they definitely take up less space than big giant furry coats! Have a wonderful week ahead!
xoxo
Shelbee
Leelo
Your outfit looks amazing! Those boots and coat look just so stylish! I really need this kind of coat in my life for winter time 🙂
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Leelo! I can’t resist a dramatic faux fur so when I saw this coat I knew it had to be mine! It definitely keeps me warm in these frigid winters!
xoxo
Shelbee
Rena
Shelbee,
You’re making me green with envy! Your gorgeous photos, the wonderful history of your town, and a fabulous winter coat wardrobe. Great post.
Rena
http://www.finewhateverblog.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Rena, thanks so much! I do love snowy photos, but they can get tiresome…usually some time in mid-March, I am over it. But yet it will remain on the ground until May! This was fun to share some little bits about my town! I am glad you enjoyed it.
xoxo
Shelbee
Michelle
I LOVE THAT SKIRT! OMG, it’s so pretty! Lovely outfit overall. If I lived where winter lasted that long, I’d no doubt have many coats too. Your white fur coat is very pretty! And what a bargain! As it is, I have two – a fur lined hoodie from Disneyland in gray (which means it matches almost nothing in my closet, but I love it anyway), and a dark violet jacket that I recently purchased from Poshmark. Most winter days I don’t need a coat.
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you, Michelle! I can’t even remember where or when I got this skirt. I think I found it at Salvation Army maybe 5 or 6 years ago and have only worn it once before for a blog post over 4 years ago! You can see it here. It actually was a bit tight around the waist so I never wore it again. But now it fits perfectly! Your violet coat sounds amazing. I bet the color is stunning on you!
xoxo
Shelbee
Sheila (of Ephemera)
Your white faux fur is amazing! I love white/cream as outerwear as well, mostly because here in Victoria, BC, Canada, we almost never get snow, so I stand out in my Unsafe Polar Bear (my fond nickname for my own cream fur coat). We have a very damp cold here (I’m literally surrounded by 3 sides by the Pacific Ocean, since Victoria is on the southern tip of Vancouver Island – a very large island, BTW, about the size of the Florida panhandle), so it often feels colder than it is, due to the damp getting into your bones. So 2 degrees here (low 30s) feels much, much colder!
I’ve amassed a huge coat wardrobe – I even have to store some of my spring/fall coats in winter to make room! – and I have to factor rain gear into that too, as we are in a temperate rain forest climate.
I love seeing all these fun coats! Thanks so much for the link-up, Shelbee!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Sheila, thank you so much, my friend! We cold weather gals definitely need massive coat wardrobes if we are to keep on our style game! I would love to visit your part of the world, my friend. That is the kind of climate that I am most suited for and it sounds so beautiful, too! And speaking of coat storage, when I just did my cloffice makeover, I stored some lighter weight jackets in an empty dresser in my living room! Oh, and I have an empty dresser in my living room because it is too big to fit up the old windy staircase so it has become a permanent living room fixture that used to house the kids’ toys! We just cleaned out most of the forgotten toys that they have outgrown and emptied 5 large drawers for more clothing storage! Instead of getting rid of some of my clothing, I just keep finding ways to make more room to store it! Haha
xoxo
Shelbee
Gwen Gottlieb
Shelbee, so nice to meet you in this community! What a fun collab! Love, love, love winter white, and that coat is gorgeous! Also love the snow. Great hat choices to compliment the coat, too!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you so much, Gwen! It is such a pleasure to make your acquaintance here as well. This community is so amazing and has gotten me through many a trying time! And the bigger we can grow our tribe, the better for us all! No one gets through this crazy life without supportive communities and I am so blessed to have this one. I really loved all of your coat styles as well especially your fur…oh, it is so magnificent!
xoxo
Shelbee
Julie Augustyn
Shelbee,
I adore your winter white fur coat! It looks amazing on you! I really enjoyed learning about where you live! Of course, I totally agree with you. You can’t live in a cold climate and not have a collection of outerwear specifically coats! A girl has got to look good even when dressed for cold climates!
Another fun collaboration!
Julie xo
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Julie, thank you so much! It was fun to share these little facts about my town. It is starting to finally feel like a place I can start calling my “hometown” after living here for 8 years. I do still refer to the place I grew up as my hometown (Bethlehem, Pennsylvania), but Watertown really is home now! It’s cold and winters are long, but it’s quiet and safe and removed from much of the chaos in this world right now. This was a super fun collaboration! Everyone looks so chic and cozy!
xoxo
Shelbee
Celyn
Love, love your knit sweater! The color is gorgeous! You look great! Thank you for hosting this link up 🙂
Life is a Shoe
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Celyn, thanks so much! I couldn’t resist the sweater when I spotted the color of it! I was so excited it was my size! I hope you have a fabulous day!
xoxo
Shelbee