Winter casual outfit – camel coat, black sweater, straight jeans & combat boots

Where it works

Everyday winter: errands, coffee with friends, a museum on a Sunday, a casual Friday at the office, holiday shopping. It is a city outfit for cold days rather than an outfit for the slopes; the coat does the work of making it look put together.

How it comes together

Camel is the warm neutral here, and black and light blue denim keep it from turning into beige on beige. The ribbed crewneck adds texture under the smooth coat, and the Calvin Klein black pashmina repeats the sweater's color at the neck, so the two dark pieces frame the camel. The brown lace-up combat boots sit halfway between camel and black, and a lace-up boot generally copes with slush and uneven sidewalks better than a flat or a sneaker. The Levi's straight jeans fall cleanly over ankle boots; one small cuff at the hem shows off the laces.

Fit

A double-breasted coat overlaps at the front, so try it buttoned over the thickest sweater you plan to wear. If it pulls across the buttons, go up a size. With your arms down, the sleeves should reach the wrist bone. Check the jeans with the boots on; the hem should rest on the boot, not pool around it.

Alternatives

Already own a black coat? Wear it with a camel scarf and the balance flips. For milder days, a camel blazer or a trench coat can take the coat's place. For real cold, add leather gloves and a thicker knit, which a coat bought one size up will accommodate.

Care

Faux wool is generally a synthetic blend, so the care label matters more than usual; many such coats can be spot-cleaned. Brush the coat after wearing and hang it on a wide hanger to protect the shoulders. Ribbed knits keep their shape best folded.