How Much Should You Really Spend On A Winter Coat?

Expert advice on what to look for when shopping around for a new topper.

No matter what style you gravitate to, there’s no denying that a good winter coat is a necessity in cold climates.

“In Canada, you spend six to nine months of the year in your coats so it’s the one thing people will see you wear most often,” says Tyler Franch, fashion director at Hudson’s Bay in Toronto. “Prioritize a great coat within your shopping budget and it will serve you well.”

In other words, it makes sense to spend a bit more to score a quality piece. After all, as Franch explains, a quality wool coat should last a lifetime, while you can expect a good-quality parka to last three to five years.

Need more convincing to pay for quality? Run the numbers.

For example, say you shell out $585 for an Italian double-cloth day coat with an insulated lining from J.Crew. (And that’s assuming you pay full price—the retailer often offers coupon codes.) It’s a classic coat with slim lines that’s guaranteed to keep you warm. As your new piece of go-to piece of outerwear, you could don it 150 times between November and April. That’s a little more than $3 per wear. Not bad, right?

Now let’s assume you’ll own the coat for five years. The cost-per-wear now? A measly 61 cents.

While $585 might seem like a large chunk of what the average Canadian family spends on clothing per year–$3,371, according to Statistics Canada–if you choose wisely, you won’t be shopping for a winter coat every year. So, what should you spend to get the most bang for your coat-buying bucks? Here are a few things to keep in mind when rummaging through racks or perusing online sales.

What should you look for in a quality coat?

There are some telltale signs that the jacket you’re considering is a quality garment, not a piece of throwaway fashion, says Franch. For everyday coats, look for dual zippers that can be opened in opposite directions (they give you more comfort when you sit), as well as a removable hood that allows you to clean the coat without ruining the trim, if there is one. Pockets should be easily accessible and deep enough so that keys and phones don’t tumble out every time you sit down.

Plan to walk at night? Look for a casual jacket with reflective tape that makes you visible to vehicles. And consider the coat’s percentage of down stuffing—the higher the percentage, the warmer the coat. For a cruelty-free option, synthetic blends made from recycled materials have come a long way and are often just as warm as down.

For dressier coats, wool, cashmere and alpaca are both luxurious and warm, but don’t forget to read labels closely. “Be mindful of coats advertised as wool when they have only a small amount of wool blended with synthetics,” cautions Franch, nothing that a blend won’t offer as much warmth.

Buy a classic jacket that won’t go out of style

A timeless cut or shape will seem fresh longer when compared to a trend-forward coat that quickly goes out of style. For a style you’ll want to wear for years to come, opt for an iconic peacoat or boiled wool topcoat that hits just above the knee.

There’s still a place for inexpensive finds from time to time, explains Franch.“Inexpensive options are also a great way to test out a new trend before investing,” he says. Not sure you want to invest in a puffer? Franch loves packable down puffers which can be found for less than $80, like the Uniqlo’s ultra light compact down jacket.

Shop the sales

While winter jackets start lining the racks as early as July, you’ll most likely be paying full price for those new arrivals. Instead, decide in advance what kind of coat you’re looking for and keep an eye for your desired style in December, when stores need to start clearing space for spring clothing. That’s when you’ll see those prices drop.

“It’s important to know that great fashion gets noticed and sells out early,” says Franch. If there’s a classic, well-crafted coat you know you’ll wear for years, you might want to run your own cost-per-wear calculations and buy it anyway. “A great coat should last, so it’s important to take that into consideration when determining the threshold for the price.”