Throw on these great, affordable winter coats

With the cold weather comes the search for the perfect coat, and this year you don't have to sacrifice style for warmth. “Today” fashion expert and host of TLC's “What Not To Wear” Stacy London has come up with some best bets.

It's that time of year when we pull our warm yummy coats out of the closet and think: wouldn't it be nice if my warm and yummy coat was cute, too? Your great basic coat doesn't have to look basic at all, and can get you through the winters looking your best.

Tips
Choose a coat based on your style. People consider a coat to be a throw-away item, in the sense that it is only about use-value and that you don't have it on for very long. But when considering your options, look for coats that compliment the style you have created for yourself. I consider a coat, bag and shoe to be your “first impression” ammunition. Use them!

Buy neutral colors before brights. Again, when investing in a coat, start off with a great neutral, which does not have to be black. Try the softer neutrals like gray, brown, navy, and camel. Save the fire engine red coat as your second coat purchase.

Coats aren't blankets. This season you will see coats with lots of volume but that doesn't mean you should hide in them. Look for coats that fit well in the shoulder (the seam should sit at the end of your shoulder), even if the rest of the shape of the coat is a swing or trapeze style. For long term investment, buy coats with more body flattering silhouettes, cut closer to the body, and with structure and seaming. They always flatter the body and are impervious to the whims of trend.

Remember to leave some room! When buying a mid-weight coat, remember that while it may feel warm by itself in October, come January you will layer long undies, lots of knitwear, (even fitted jackets!) under that thing! So give yourself some wiggle room to layer. Not oodles, but if your coat “just” fits in the shoulder, sleeve and hip, go up a size.

Classic
The camel coat from Banana Republic offers clean lines of seaming and structure that are classically stylish. The silhouette, while not being fitted, is still slim. Don't overwhelm yourself in lots of coat, but a looser cut will give you options to layer as it gets colder. Camel is a great neutral companion for brights as well as neutrals. You could easily pair a classic coat with fuchsia or red for a modern, sophisticated look. Coat: Banana Republic, $218; jewelry: Les Neraides and R.J. Graziano

Petite
There are lots of fitted leather jackets this season. If you're petite, they should fit your frame snugly, which is important when you are very small. Petite women can look like they are drowning in their clothes, and coats and jackets are no exception. Your body will have more presence if the clothes you wear are tailored and your frame fills the garment. Otherwise, it is easy to look like you are playing dress up. A fitted jacket is a great layering piece as well. It will look great under another coat when it gets chillier. Coat: Xhilaration, $29.99; turtleneck: Club Monaco, $79; skirt: Club Monaco, $79; jewelry: Gerard Yosca and Indulgems

Maternity
I wanted to include a maternity coat option because so many pregnant women want to look great, particularly for evening, but don't want to spend oodles of money on a wardrobe that's temporary. Liz Lange for Target gives women fashionable options at a great price that are versatile in terms of their use. Try a jacket that works with day and evening wear and isn't so heavy, simply because I find pregnant women tend to feel much warmer when pregnant. You can layer based on your needs during your term. Coat: Liz Lange for Target, $59.99; shirt: Mimi Maternity @ Destination Maternity, $98; pants: Pea in the Pod @ Destination Maternity, $155; jewelry: R.J. Graziano; shoes: Steve Madden

Trendy
The trendy H&M coat featured on the show is still a classic houndstooth print in black and white. The inverted pleats and the bubble shape make it a bit more of the 60s style trend that's in fashion right now but the timelessness of the print and the classic color combination make this a great coat for a woman in her 20s. I love it with jeans but this coat would look great with a simple mini dress or black trousers as well. Coat: H&M, $99; jeans: Express, $59.50; turtleneck: Isaac Mizrahi for Target, $27.99; jewelry: Paste by Tracy Kahn and Gerard Yosca; shoes: Steve Madden

Multi-functional
The chocolate brown coat from Mexx is ideal because the collar gives it some drama, and it works with office-appropriate clothing but isn't so structured that you couldn't throw it on with boots and jeans and go grocery shopping on the weekend. It's got working mom versatility and if you've only got a budget for one coat, make sure it can do double duty in your life! Coat: Mexx, $199; jewelry: Susan Hanover and Sparkling Sage

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