Statement Coats: A Fashionista's Fall/Winter Must-Have

So it looks like the cold weather is finally here. Can't complain; we've had it good for long while here in DC. Just last week it was 70 degrees...in the middle of November! Boy, did I enjoy it, but deep down I was ready for some typical fall weather.  Autumn has quickly moved up to almost being my favorite season, though summer still holds the title. It's a strong contender not only because of the beautiful colors and the crisp, refreshing chill in the air, but also largely because of the amazing fall fashion. Each year I get giddy with excitement when I know it's almost time to break out the gear. Sweaters, boots, coats, oh my!! (insert 'hands raised' and 'clapping hands' Emoji)

For fashionistas everywhere fall is like a feast. There are sooooo many wonderful style options out there!!! As the temps drop, however, the challenge becomes finding the right mix between fashion and functionality. While I'm all about looking great, I'm also very much a fan of warmth. For a person who is always cold, it's a pretty big deal. When it's all said and done the goal is to be both cute and cozy. I think the mission was accomplished with this look.

I started out with the basics of a classic turtleneck and jeans, a combination that will always be in style. Period. Point blank. Regardless of your body type or size, you just can't go wrong starting there. As in all looks, it all boils down to fit and cut, but it's a great jumping off point. From there, you want to up the ante by choosing accent pieces to add some personality. For me, it was the skinny leopard belt that did the trick. I'm a firm believer that a little bit of leopard goes a long way. A belt, shoe, scarf, bag...a little dab will do ya. Next, I went with the suede thigh high boot and wide brim fedora, both hot trends we've seen for the past few seasons that I think will stay around for a while.  Something about a baaad hat sitting low just makes you start feeling yourself.

No doubt I could have gotten away with just those pieces and been just fine had it not been for the frigid wind that was a-whipping. It was cold, y'all! Style game was strong, but the warmth factor was lacking. What to do, what to do. Enter, the statement coat; the final layer to seal the deal, if you will.

Nothing sets off basic black like a bold color. I chose a burnt orange wool blend coat with clean lines and oversized pockets by Bernardo. I got it on sale at Nordstrom, but statement coats can be found anywhere, at any price point. I've mentioned in previous posts (http://moxystyle.blogspot.com/2016/11/thrifting-works-hunting-for-treasure.html)
that I'm a HUGE fan of thrifting and consignment shopping. It's a great place to start if you want something unique, that not everyone has and that fits your budget. Regardless of where you shop, the key is to look for details: cut, color, funky buttons, trim, faux fur, even patterns. It's about choosing a piece that catches your eye, fits your personality, makes you feel fabulous and keeps you warm.

Style Is For Everyone
The statement coat is a style must for every woman, not just a few. Check out a few fellow bloggers showing how they rock statement coats on their full and curvy body types.

Moxy Style

Here are a few looks I created featuring statement coats. Follow me on Polyvore using the app or the site for details on the items. Just search for me as "MoxyStyle".

Hunting For Treasure:Thrifting Works

It's no secret that I love to shop. While I confess to being a shopaholic, I wholeheartedly believe in getting the best bang for the buck. Let's face it, most of us work hard for our cash and, if we're honest, can't necessarily afford to keep up with the celeb stylings flooding our timelines/social media feeds.  While I love seeing the great outfits they (or, rather, their stylists) put together, I would much rather keep my paper in the bank. I believe a number of you feel the same and want to be smart with your money too. There's nothing cute about being "fly" and broke.  At the same time, however, we want to look good and feel stylish too. So is it possible to be both fashionable and financially responsible? Absolutely! Thrifting and consignment shopping are a GREAT way to achieve both objectives. The key is to have a keen eye, go to the right spots and know what to look for.

When thrifting, I tend to look for both classic pieces that can be worn for years without ever going out of style; functional pieces that can be easily mixed and matched with multiple pieces to stretch my wardrobe. But I also love to find trendy or unique pieces that make a statement. This particular look is a blend of both approaches.

The recent unseasonably warm weather presented the perfect opportunity to pair a lightweight classic white blazer found at Salvation Army ($12), simple cotton tank from Forever 21 ($8) and a knit pencil skirt with an eye-catching pattern, found last year at a local flea market ($30). The leather Aldo clutch was found at one of absolute favorite spots, Plato's Closet (www.platoscloset.com) for just $14. The nude kid leather Aldo pumps were bought years ago for about $50 and continue to be on trend. The effect is a classic look that can be worn to work, church or out to lunch, all within a modest budget.

Now, I know there are a lot of people who feel some kind of way about the idea of wearing used goods. They think it's creepy or beneath them. I've never seen it that way. I actually love the idea of finding good, quality, sometimes designer pieces that would ordinarily be beyond my reach, all well within my budget. With 2 kids in college, I HAVE to shop smart. So thrifting works for me. I've even taught my daughters to do it and at a young age they're quite thrifty and frugal as well. No shame in our game. As they say, "One (wo)man's trash..."

Tradesy, Poshmark and The Real Real are a few popular online consignment options, featuring fabulous authentic designer wares at great discount. Here are a few great thrift store, consignment and eBay finds I've been blessed to come across:

Barneys New York leather blazer

So, if you're a person who loves fashion but doesn't want to break the bank in order to be stylish and on trend, know that there's hope and lots of resources out there for you. I hope this post encourages you to be fabulous and work within your budget. Happy treasure hunting:)