The Best Coats for Work

Sure, we all know what basics professional women are supposed to have in their closets, but if you're buying one for the first time or replacing one you've worn into the ground, it can be a pain to find exactly the right incarnation in stores. In “The Hunt,” we search the stores for a basic item that every woman should have.

Hunting for professional winter coats for women? We're rounding up all of our favorites, but I'm curious, readers — which are your favorites? Do you prefer wool — or down? Hip length? Which factors are important to you in a great professional winter coat — pockets? a hood? a liner?

What to Look For In a Professional Winter Coat

It may seem a bit silly to talk about stylish coats for work — after all, when it's freezing, nasty, and disgusting outside, being warm and dry are the primary considerations.

But it isn't blizzarding every day in the winter, and I still think a wool coat looks more polished — even if you're just throwing it on over your work-from-home clothes to run errands.

Personally, the perfect length, for me, for a winter coat is mid-thigh length. This is great for warmth, but also for versatility; nothing looks quite so silly as a peacoat and skirt. Another important point when you're shopping: be sure to size up if you need to to accommodate a sweater or blazer underneath your coat.

(Other great layers: silk turtlenecks and long johns can add serious warmth without bulk, and there are so many puffer/fleece vests that I'm kind of tempted to try them under my winter coat on really cold days.)

I've always considered a wool/cashmere blend to be the best (the cashmere makes it warm; the wool makes it durable), but I've also heard great things about alpaca's warmth; these days you can find technical enhancements to wool or find wool lined with Thinsulate, like some J.Crew and L.L.Bean coats.

What are your favorite coats for work? How many do you have; which ones do you think are the most polished, which are the warmest, and so forth? Have you recently bought any coats for work you love? 

Great Wool Coats for Work: Editor's Picks

Some of our favorite professional winter coats for women for 2026 include J.Crew, Sam Edelman, Aritzia, L.L.Bean, Quince, and Cole Haan. On the splurgier side, do check out Mackage, Soia & Kyo, Ted Baker, Eileen Fisher, Fleurette, and Cinzia Rocca. We've also rounded up our favorite washable winter coats!

Great Coats for Plus-Size Professionals

Some of our favorite plus-size coats for 2026 include brands like J.Crew, Lands' End, L.L. Bean, Eileen Fisher, Fleurette, and The North Face.

Great Washable Winter Coats

In need of a washable winter coat? Some of our favorites for 2026 include options from the usual suspects such as The North Face, Lands' End, and Eddie Bauer — but also from more fashionable choices like Soia & Kyo.

Some Of Our Favorite Coats for Work Outfits

The Reader Favorite Coat: Eddie Bauer's Girl on the Go

This reader-favorite coat from Eddie Bauer is technically more of a raincoat, but it does come in an insulated version for just a bit more. It's also one of our top picks for machine washable coats. It's available in regular, petite, plus, and tall sizes, and regularly goes on sale for 35% off (or more).

The Super Popular Coat for Work: J.Crew

J.Crew's coats are always super popular — and if your favorite style goes out of stock don't forget about J.Crew Factory, which often carries more styles from the archives at a discounted price. We've pictured the “Toscana coat” in an off-white — it's a classic that always comes in new colors in sizes from 00-24, 00P-12P, and 2T-16T.

An Affordable Favorite Coat for Work: Sam Edelman

Another great coat in the $240 range is Sam Edelman's super popular wool coats. There are slightly different variations with buttons and details every year, but it remains a bestseller. You can find it in regular and plus sizes at Nordstrom — and don't forget to check Nordstrom Rack for bargains. The exact coat featured above is this boucle longline; it comes in three colors in sizes XS-XL and is on sale at the moment for under $150!

The Best Stylish Coat for Work: Ted Baker

If you're hunting for an amazing, stylish, warm coat for work, definitely take a look at Ted Baker — the above style is pretty much a classic at this point, although the name may change.

The coat only comes in sizes 0–14, but if those sizes work for you there are a ton of great reviews at Bloomingdale’s and Ted Baker, particularly singing the praises of the pretty lining and the magnetic detail at the wrap top to keep the coat closed.

Other really stylish coat brands to look at in this $400–$700 range: Soia & Kyo, Boden, Reiss, and Dawn Levy.

The Best Cashmere Coat for Work: Fleurette

If you're looking for a really quality cashmere-blend coat, I have two brands to recommend: Fleurette and Cinzia Rocca. Both are generally under $1,000 (so, less than the designer brands) but are really established, quality brands — and you can sometimes find them for around $600. (Cinzia Rocca used to have a plus-size option called Cinzia Rocca Due, if memory serves; you may still find that on some sale sites.)

Readers, which are your favorite brands and styles for coats for work? Do you prefer wool, down, or other options?

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