megf026
- Nov 2, 2023
- 6 min read

Winter Jacket Trends 2023/2024

It is November 2nd. The air is getting crisper, pumpkins are being placed by the curb, and the girlies on my for you page are asking the age-old question - "what jacket are we wearing this winter?"

Growing up in Canada this question has haunted me my entire life. I have always had an affinity for fashion and style so naturally on the playground clunky winter coats were my sworn enemy. Not only did they clash with my outfit and cover up a perfectly curated look, but they were also a commitment. My mom had made it a rule that winter coats were to be kept for around 5 years or until I entirely outgrew them. So naturally as a kid with very specific tastes and a tendency to be extremely indecisive, this choice plagued me (and my poor parents) for weeks before a final decision was made. The ultimate decision was so difficult because there seemed to be a winter jacket spectrum on which I wanted to be on one end, with my mom pulling me towards the other. I wanted jackets that looked cute, she wanted jackets that kept me warm. Now as I have gotten older I can see both sides of things - which makes the struggle admittedly worse. How do I find the balance between warmth and style when I go hunting for a winter jacket without breaking the bank? I have found the solution to be a dual-pronged approach.

Why have one when you can have both? After all, there are different occasions during the winter in which you would need to wear a coat. Activities where there will be significant time spent outside or in the snow warrant warm jackets with waterproof materials. Other activities such as shopping at indoor malls, strolling Christmas markets, or nights on the town do not require such heavy-duty protection. Thus, my solution to this age-old issue is to find two jackets that you find to be timeless to your personal style and serve each of these different functions. One traditional winter jacket such as a puffer is long enough to keep you warm and is insulated to a reasonable degree depending on how cold it gets where you live. Plus one cute winter jacket such as a wool trench or secondhand fur that is stylish yet will keep you warm enough on your journey between heated buildings.

So now all that is left is to pick each of these jackets. Now I know you might be saying, 'But how am I supposed to afford not one but two winter coats?'. The great thing is many of the stylish cutesie jackets can be found second-hand for reasonable prices. So your splurge should be your functional jacket. Nonetheless, I have provided you with many options below to give you a better idea of what jackets, for both of these categories, the girlies will be wearing this winter 2023/2024 season.

Functional Jackets

The undisputed fan favourite winter jacket as of the past few years has been the puffer. Whether it's cropped or full length, shiny or matte, black or colourful, the overarching trend has been all about the puff. Two of the most notable brands for this style of jacket are Aritzia with their Superpuff designs and North Face.

Both are great options and will definitely keep you warm. As someone who attends University in the snowbelt of Ontario, I can tell you my Superpuff has kept me warm on many a flurry-filled night. The hype is definitely warranted. As for which style of Superpuff to go for I think that all comes down to preference however, I will say this - think about years down the line before you make a large purchase like this. Will you like a cropped winter coat in 5 years? Is that the best decision considering the climate of where you live? Will you like that colour in 5 years or is black the better option in terms of longevity? Making these considerations when I purchased mine I opted for the matte black version in the original length. Sure I am a little envious of seeing girls on campus with their cropped version, but it's been 3 years and I have no regrets over the fact that I valued the warmth of my butt in the cold above trendiness.

If you are certain that the cropped look is for you and see yourself liking something with a bit more colour in the years to come, a North Face puffer is also a great option. The one warning I will give is again think about the long term. Does anyone else remember the chokehold that the brown version of this coat had on us in 2020? I think it's a healthy exercise to now and again reevaluate these uber-trendy pieces years later. It makes you realize how much of a waste of money it can be to buy into hot trends that will quickly disappear. Don't get me wrong if you still have that brown jacket and love it and stand by it - fantastic! That's what we want! But what we don't want is to wake up one day and hate a piece of clothing because we bought it out of a need to fit in with the trends rather than because it suits our own personal style. So the moral of the story is whatever functional winter jacket you choose, just make sure that it keeps you warm and consider the longevity of its journey in your wardrobe for years to come.

If you, like many of us, have an individuality complex and refuse to wear brands that are so highly popularized, a few other places to look for puffer jackets include: Uniqlo, Everlane, 66 North Tindur, OKOBOR, and Lulu Lemon. For example I am absolutely obsessed with this leather puffer from OKOBOR that is currently available in many colours on SSENSE (linked in photo).

it girl winter jackets — OKOBOR Nunushka Jacket

Stylish Jackets

Now for the fun part. When hunting for the perfect stylish winter jacket this season, the best thing to do is to consider what you already have in your closet. Remember you want to add what you already have, not buy something that requires an entirely new wardrobe to style. Are you a bit grungey and like to exude a rock star girlfriend vibe? Or maybe you are in your Carrie Bradshaw era at the moment. Go for a vintage fur or faux fur. Are you a clean or vanilla girl who wears mainly neutrals and likely owns an ungodly amount of knitwear? Perhaps a black wool trench. Do people always ask you, 'do you own anything other than black?'. Perhaps a slate grey trench will give you the stylish contrast you need in your life.

Faux fur or vintage fur jackets are some of my absolute favourites this season. If they are real they will definitely keep you warm plus they can be easily found at most thrift stores. Thank you to all of the grandmas who have passed on these pieces to the next generation. Certainly an it-girl piece, fur jackets are for those who like to make a statement or, let's be vulnerable here, don't mind a few side eyes from people who don't know its fake or second hand. @Madisonxwild on Tiktok immediately comes to mind when I think of these jackets. She fully embodies the effortlessly stylish New Yorker vibes that a pieces like this gives off. A bit out there, but still chic, a great option for your stylish jacket this winter.

Although I would wear any of the jackets on this list by far my favourite this season is the wool trench coat. With 90s minimalism coming back we are seeing a lot of paired down silhouettes and timeless designs. Nothing says quiet luxury quite like a wool trench coat. Cindy Crawford and Carolyne Bessette Kenndey immediately are come to mind when I think of coats such as this in the 90s. Pair it with a black turtleneck, medium wash jeans and black boots and you'll feel like that girl walking the streets of NYC on her way to a Calvin Klein shoot. For a more modern twist, pair it with a loose fitting blazer or vest underneath and matching trousers. Perhaps even add a matching headband for a full monochromatic look. If any of this sounds enticing to you I recommend picking one of these up for evenings on the town, shopping trips, or morning commutes. Popular colours at the moment are charcoal grey, deep chocolate brown, navy, or the ever-classic black. The best places to look for jackets such as these would be the Hudsons Bay in you're in Canada, Everlane, Aritzia, the Row if you're able, Calvin Klein, the Gap, Frank & Oak, Old Navy, and Oak & Fort.