You deserve a new winter jacket this year. It’s a coat you’ll wear often, especially in cold climates, so you should invest in a high-quality jacket that will keep you warm and be the envy of your fashion-forward friends.

When you invest in good-quality coats, you need to know your options before you buy. You need to consider where the coat will be worn, the temperatures in your region, and many other considerations—including how water resistant it is.

Where will you wear it?

Before choosing a winter coat, take a moment to picture the places it will travel with you, because where you wear it shapes the coat it must become. It’s not just about warmth—it’s about the life it will live alongside yours, whether in the thick of winter’s grip or in the quiet moments between.

For instance:

• If your coat is destined for winter sports or intense activity, you’ll want something that gives you freedom. A jacket you can layer beneath, one that doesn’t cling too tight, allowing you to move, breathe, and stay warm without restraint.
• If it’s for strolling through the city or running errands, you’ll need something that battles the cold while offering comfort—perhaps a heavier wool jacket to wrap you in its warmth as you wander through freezing streets.
• If it’s for more formal affairs—dinners, theatre, or events, choose a coat that speaks of style rather than bulk. A piece that lets you glide through elegant moments, keeping you warm without losing its refined edge.

The places your coat will take you matter, and so does the one you choose to wear.

How do I choose the right coat for my body?

A coat, like a good companion, should complement who you are. The right fit isn’t just about warmth—it’s about finding a piece that flatters the form you carry, that moves with you and feels like it belongs. Every body has its own shape, and with it, a coat that’s waiting to be found. Here are a few thoughts for finding that perfect match:

• If you’re pear-shaped, a coat with a belted waist will bring balance, drawing attention to your curves in all the right ways.
• If your build is on the slimmer side, cropped jackets can keep you from being swallowed up by fabric, offering a sharp, tailored look.
• For those with broader chests or shoulders, seek a coat with room to breathe. Winter should wrap you in comfort, not squeeze you too tight.
• If you’re tall, let your coat stretch with you. Longer styles or mid-thigh cuts embrace your height, giving you elegance in every stride.

The right coat is more than just protection from the cold—it’s an extension of your silhouette, a partner in style as you face the winter ahead.

Should winter jackets be tight?

A winter jacket should never bind you, but offer space for warmth to gather, like a campfire in the chill of night. Your body heat needs room to breathe, to settle and stay, keeping the cold at bay. When the winds bite harder and the sweaters grow thicker, your jacket should still allow you the freedom to move through the world. For a coat that clings too tightly will never offer true warmth, nor the comfort of a winter well-worn.

Should you buy a jacket a size bigger?

When buying a jacket, sometimes foresight is your best companion. If you anticipate layers or life’s inevitable changes—whether it’s the thickening of winter clothes or the changes life itself brings—choosing a size larger is like making room for what’s yet to come. It allows space for warmth to grow, for movement to remain easy, and for you to be ready, no matter what the season holds.

And as you shop online, remember to measure the body that will walk through these seasons. For women, it’s the bust, waist, hips, and sleeves that shape the story. For men, it’s the neck, chest, waist, and sleeve length. Measure thoughtfully, and let those numbers lead you to the jacket that will carry you forward on your journey.

How do you know if a winter jacket is too big?

The best way to know if a jacket is too big is to wear it as you would on any given day—layered with your usual clothes, ready for the cold. A jacket should move with you, not against you. Check for these signs:

• Air circulation:Your body needs space to breathe, with room for air to flow between you and the lining. This keeps you warm without overheating.
• Shoulder seams:The seams should sit just at your shoulders, like a good handshake—firm but not overreaching. If they hang down toward your biceps, the coat is too large for you.
• The hug test:Put on the jacket and wrap your arms around yourself. If you feel restricted or tightness in places where you should feel free, the fit is off. A coat should let you embrace the world, not bind you.
• Arm mobility:Stretch your arms out in front of you, as if reaching for something just beyond your grasp. Your wrists should stay covered, and you should feel no strain.
• Reach upwards:Lift your arms high and feel how the coat responds. If your stomach becomes exposed to the elements, the jacket is not the partner you need for winter’s chill.

In the end, a winter jacket should feel like an extension of yourself—fitting comfortably, moving effortlessly, and keeping you warm against the world.

What fabrics are the warmest?

When it comes to natural fabrics, few things rival the warmth of wool. Wool holds the kind of heat that feels like it’s been gathered from the earth itself, wrapping you in comfort no matter how bitter the wind blows. Paired with synthetic insulation, it becomes a fortress against winter’s chill, giving you both softness and strength in one.

But warmth alone isn’t enough. The outer layers must be waterproof, for even the warmest fabric will fail you if it’s wet. A coat must keep the cold at bay, yes, but it must also keep you dry—because in the harshest climates, warmth comes not just from insulation but from staying dry and safe from the elements.

What fabrics are waterproof?

Beyond warmth, a winter jacket must stand as a barrier between you and the rain or snow that seeks to steal your heat. The most common fabrics for this outer defense are nylon and polyester, synthetic yet reliable in their ability to turn water away. But for those who walk the line between performance and nature, wool and wool blends offer a different kind of protection.

Wool, born of the earth, is naturally water-resistant. Its fibers, like a well-worn path, know how to shed water while holding onto warmth. Yet, many jackets take it a step further, treated with Durable Water Repellency (DWR), so the rain beads up and rolls away without a fight. Over time, you can refresh this protective layer with a spray, keeping your jacket ready to face the elements again and again.

Because in the end, a good jacket does more than just keep you warm—it keeps you dry, letting you face the winter with confidence.

Do I need an insulated jacket?

When winter’s chill creeps in, insulation becomes your greatest ally. Traditional choices like synthetic fill and down have long been trusted to keep the cold at bay. But at Mia Melon, we offer something more—a unique thermal membrane, found in no other coat I know of, that deflects your body heat back to you, creating warmth without the weight. It’s the secret to our jackets’ power, allowing you to move freely while staying protected.

Synthetic insulation is water-resistant, easy to care for, and more affordable, but it can weigh you down with bulk, limiting your mobility. Our synthetic down-fill, though, offers more warmth with less bulk, especially when paired with our thermal membrane. It’s warmth without restriction.

On the other hand, a down-filled jacket is lightweight, holds heat like a soft embrace, and, with proper care, can last for years. But if it gets wet, it loses its magic, leaving you exposed to the elements.

The choice depends on what your winter journey looks like—a jacket that keeps you light and dry, or one that keeps you warm in a weightless way. Either way, choose the insulation that fits the life you lead.

A jacket with a thermal membrane, nestled between layers of microfleece and wool, is more than just a shield—it’s insulation that fights off the bitter cold and keeps the rain and wind at bay. This clever membrane reflects your own body heat, meaning you’ll need fewer layers to stay warm, even in the harshest of conditions. Take Mia Melon’s Hailey winter coat, for example: built to keep you warm down to -15°C (-13°F) without the heavy bulk of a puffer jacket. It’s warmth without weight, protection without compromise.

The right winter jacket isn’t just for the coldest days. With thoughtful design and quality materials, your coat can carry you from fall’s first chill through winter’s deep freeze, and even into the early stirrings of spring. The fabric you choose—whether cotton, wool, or both—will be the key to keeping you warm and looking your best.

Mia Melon’s collection of winter jackets blends cotton and wool with modern style, creating outerwear that will not only keep you cozy but also make you the envy of your most fashion-forward friends. With designs for every season and every occasion, we offer coats that are as fashionable as they are functional, ensuring you stay comfortable and stylish all season long.