The Chicest Woman in Brooklyn Says These Are the Only 5 Coat Styles You Need

Meet Dione Davis. She's the styling director at Tibi, where she resides. If you've ever seen a Tibi runway show, campaign, or the models on its site, you know that the styling is impeccable. It's as forward and trendsetting as the pieces themselves. So naturally, I was eager to pick the brain of the woman behind said styling.

It only took one scroll through Davis's Instagram feed to see that her outerwear game is as good as it gets. And with October officially here, the timing to ask her to spill her secrets to us is perfect. As you know, not all coats are created equal, so it's key to have a variety to choose from, which no one knows better than an NYC-dweller. At the same time, who has room for a closet full of bulky coats? The good news is, according to Davis, you only need five key coat styles.

In her expert words, "I firmly believe that a chic winter coat will save us all from the fresh hell that awaits us. Winter during lockdown is this looming fear that so many New Yorkers won't address aloud because it makes it too real. A well thought out winter wardrobe looks very different in the pandemic. The coziness that comes with wintertime lends itself to planning fewer pieces and investing in a chic coat. There's nothing more depressing than a North Face Coat thrown on top of sweatpants, so I'm suggesting more dramatic silhouettes for wintertime (within reason). Also, with deep awareness of how many people are out of work, pairing the right coat in the right fit with last year's clothing is the most fiscally responsible thing you can do for your wardrobe. If you stocked up on fast fashion you can't possibly wear this year, then failure is the greatest teacher."

Keep scrolling to shop the only five coat styles you need, according to Dione Davis, also known as the chicest woman in Brooklyn. (Pro tip: She also wants you to know that they pair nicely with sweatpants and can serve as updates to last year's clothing. Plus, if you hunt for these styles on Etsy and eBay, you can get the look for less.)

Hazmat Coat

"This is any coat that has a texture that won't get ruined by Lysol wipes. This is for the person in your life that is germaphobic. This can elevate your WFH 'fits or pare-back to the times when you will need to leave the house in a real outfit. Peace of mind has never looked so chic!"

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Pretty Puffer

"While I will never co-sign a sporty puffer coat from an outdoor brand without extreme irony attached, getting a coat that is cozy and also offers a chic après-ski moment is the perfect way to elevate those sweatpants for your grocery runs on frigid days. Get one with a removable belt in case you overdo it with the sourdough kits."

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Slouchy Shoulders

"Life is hard enough right now, but a drop-shoulder coat makes layering so much easier. This style of coat feels comfortable and looks great. This is an easy coat to start with that can be worn with your blazers, oversize sweaters, etc."

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Belted Blanket

"This is like an anti-anxiety blanket for your entire body. Pared-back with denim and tall boots, you have an outfit without even trying. The cozy silhouette paired with the structure of the belt makes you look as good as you feel."

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The Anti-Coat

"An oversize cashmere sweater or a fleece can act as a coat when wearing the proper layers. I love doing this on a day of shopping so I don't have to carry around a coat once I'm indoors melting because of the heater. Pair with a chic pair of opera length gloves, denim, tall boots, and some Heattech and you're good to go."

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Next up, six classic coat trends that are virtually trend-proof.