The holidays are over, but the big sales are just starting. In an effort to wish the warmer spring weather on, retailers are getting a head start on their markdowns, especially when it comes to outerwear. If you live in the Northeast (like I do!), then you’ll know that the weather outside is quite frightful. After spending the day in NYC on Friday, I was plenty thankful for my recent investment in a new wool coat to keep comfortable amid gusty winds down the fashionable streets of the Big Apple. 

Celebrities are even breaking out their best in outerwear, including Kate Middleton in a belted Reiss Angel coat with suede knee boots. Supermodel Claudia Schiffer looks cozy in a retro 70s-inspired poncho-style coat with a middle part & suede-accented bag. Katie Holmes arrives for her appearance on Broadway in a knee-length coat, eggplant Dolce & Gabbana bag, & suede Rag & Bone booties.  Socialite & reality star Olivia Palermo hits the streets of Brooklyn in her fur-trimmed coat over leather leggings & knee boots.  Gwen Stefani always stands out, especially in her printed plaid coat with matching red lips & white-rimmed shades for a day out in London.

Alexa Chung enhances her shape with this waist-cinching grey coat, which is made all the more feminine with ankle-strap heels & a leather clutch.  Victoria Beckham never gets it wrong, offsetting her menswear look with a plum trench coat & pointy toe heels.  This Is 40 star Leslie Mann reinvents the look of a modern working mom with this tan coat over a leopard print dress for an appearance on Good Morning America.  Jessica Chastain poses for photogs after a performance of The Heiress, wearing a tan piped trench coat with grey knee boots & a leopard scarf.  Michelle Williams plays up her bombshell style with this fur-trimmed double-breasted coat & towering peep toe pumps.

Of course, you don’t have to be a celebrity to look great in outerwear, especially when so much of it is currently on sale.  I’ve selected ten coats of varying styles, all under $100, perfect for any shape & look. I start with $100 b/c a winter coat is something that will last you up to five months out of the year, which means that’s about $20 a month on a coat if you go out everyday to brave the elements. It’s always a good idea to consider how your clothing investments can pay you back, especially when looking for a basic necessity like outerwear.

First, if you’re looking to throw on something chic over your winter sweaters, check out the fur military cape ($67.99) in brown from Gap. If a printed coat is more your style, then the VS peacoat ($59.99) in plaid from Victoria’s Secret is great for dressing up basics like a pullover & jeans. @New York & Company, you’ll find the knit collar wool coat ($41.98) in black, which is currently marked down from its original $139.95 price.  By checking out the Juniors’ department @Macy’s, you can spot the Levi’s faux-fur collar anorak ($35.99) in navy, however it’s also sold in khaki if you want to avoid a denim-on-denim disaster. LOFT‘s blanket stripe wool blend zip coat ($129.99) is listed rather high in price, but due to the site’s current sale, upon checkout, the price automatically reduces to $65.00!

I’m such a big fan of houndstooth in the winter, which is why I was excited to spot the Jaclyn Smith houndstooth coat ($51.99) from KMart, recently reduced from $129.99. For more fun with color, @JC Penney, the a.n.a. hooded peacoat ($30.00) in sangria/black is a must-have clearance item & is also available in ivory/black, which will contrast nicely with leather leggings or a skirt & knee boots. A classic silhouette can be found in the faux-fur trimmed puff sleeve coat ($69.99) in red from Express, which is also sold in pink & navy. The wool-blend cape coat ($29.97) in warm stripe from Old Navy is a great buy for the color-savvy Style Darling & sold in sizes XS – XXL. Finally, the most affordable of all is the quilted self-tie coat ($19.99) from Forever 21, which offers that regal Chanel look with a contemporary twist, especially when worn with a striking scarf in animal print or paisley.

Where do you find the best prices on coats? Do you like to shop after the holidays when there are big sales? What’s your favorite outerwear style? For more posts from Basics for a Bargain, check out 4 ways to wear floral pants from H&M, an LBD look for under $100, & pointy toe heels inspired by Miranda Kerr, Kerry Washington, & More! Happy Styling!