The Coats and Jackets 50+ Women and Men Need Right Now

Brave wind, cold and rain, and still look stylish

Lois Joy Johnson,

AARP

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Published October 12, 2023

a woman in a red winter coat holds coffee while looking at the countryside

lucentius/Getty Images

Not long ago, anyone over 50 who lived in a cold climate owned a practical — but boring — winter coat and wore it grudgingly November through March. Then “outerwear” became a major fashion category. Coats and jackets gained style traction with hybrid designs, high-tech fabrics and innovative details that fit modern lifestyles. Which one suits you? Check out the best new coats and jackets for women and men right here, and pick quick — these will sell out fast.

L.L. Bean Women’s Ultrawarm Coat, Long in Night; Gap Women Big Puff Coat in Deep Depths Green; Levi’s Men’s Quilted Extra Long Parka Jacket in Navy

(Left to right) L.L. Bean Women’s Ultrawarm Coat, Long in Night; Gap Women Big Puff Coat in Deep Depths Green; Levi’s Men’s Quilted Extra Long Parka Jacket in Navy

L.L. Bean; Gap; Macy's

1. The power puff coat

Remember the cold-blocking puffers that turned everyone into the “Michelin Man”? The tire effect is gone and so is the barrel shape, but the stitched-down rows of insulation (called channels or baffles) that keep the cuddly stuff evenly distributed still make puffer coats a megawarm choice. The big question is which filler — down or synthetic? Down is superlight, very compressible and extremely toasty, but it can become heavy when wet unless the outer shell is treated. Synthetic insulation (which comes under a slew of high-tech names but is often polyester driven) is more resistant to snow and rain. Longer puffers with hoods obviously keep more of you snug, and improved styles have streamlined silhouettes. For example, the belted Gap Women Big Puff Coat in Deep Depths Green or Brown Noir ($182, gap.com) with 100% PrimaLoft P.U.R.E fill has a curvy waist-defining shape, while the L.L. Bean Women’s Ultrawarm Coat, Long in Night ($299, llbean.com) with down is sleek and straight. Both have water-resistant outer “shells” and feel airy and pillow soft on the body. Guys can try slimmed-down styles too like the Levi’s Men’s Quilted Extra Long Parka Jacket in Navy ($130, macys.com) with synthetic insulation.

(Left to right) Rains TM Long Jacket in Sand; REI Co-op Rainier Rain Jacket Men’s in Sea Forest; Sweaty Betty Technical Hooded Trench Coat in Dove Beige

Madewell; REI; Bloomingdale’s

2. The it’s-raining-cats-and-dogs coat

Anyone who keeps getting drenched in unexpected downpours or lives in a rain-prone area knows a hood and a waterproof or water-repellent finish are essential to staying dry. There’s a fresh category of modern minimalist raincoats in varying weights that employ details like sealed seams, adjustable cuffs and a covered zipper to lock water and wind out. Two waterproof examples are the sporty Rains TM Long Jacket in Sand ($125, madewell.com) and the REI Co-op Rainier Rain Jacket Men’s in Sea Forest or Stratus Gray ($100, rei.com), which pair well with leggings, jeans and boots. For a dressier look, trench hybrids like the water-resistant Sweaty Betty Technical Hooded Trench Coat in Dove Beige ($398, bloomingdales.com) blend fashion and function with relaxed drop shoulders, an elasticized drawcord toggle waist and large snap patch pockets.

Patagonia Men’s Isthmus Parka in Classic Tan; Old Navy Hooded Utility Parka for Men in Conifer; Columbia Women’s Rosewood Parka in Dark Stone; Orolay Women’s Thicken Fleece Lined Parka Hooded Winter Coat/Jacket in Brushed Nickel

(Left to right) Patagonia Men’s Isthmus Parka in Classic Tan; Old Navy Hooded Utility Parka for Men in Conifer; Columbia Women’s Rosewood Parka in Dark Stone; Orolay Women’s Thicken Fleece Lined Parka Hooded Winter Coat/Jacket in Brushed Nickel

Patagonia; Old Navy; Columbia; Amazon

3. The serious cold-weather parka

A parka is a sturdy hooded coat that’s water-and-wind resistant and designed to withstand extreme cold. However, these days some parkas are labeled puffers and vice versa. But whatever you call it, this is the coat that’ll get you through frigid temperatures, blizzards and Alaska-like weather … even if you live in Maryland. Extra hood insulation, a protective storm flap over the zipper, lots of pockets and adjustable cuffs are fairly standard now, but lined “hand-warmer” pockets and secure inside pockets for wallet, phone and keys are welcome additions to look for. For extreme long-term cold and snow exposure, and time spent outdoors, trust parkas from adventure sporting brands like the Columbia Women’s Rosewood Parka in Dark Stone or Camel Brown ($220, columbia.com) and the Patagonia Men’s Isthmus Parka in Classic Tan or New Navy ($269, patagonia.com) with all the expedition-worthy bells and whistles. For business-as-usual winters and less time outdoors, opt for lifestyle parkas like the Orolay Women’s Thicken Fleece Lined Parka Hooded Winter Coat/Jacket in Brushed Nickel ($140, amazon.com) and the sherpa-lined Old Navy Hooded Utility Parka for Men in Conifer ($110, oldnavy.gap.com). They’ll get you through from the first cold snap to spring.

Ann Taylor Sherpa Double Breasted Coat in Iced Mocha; Zara Water and Wind Protection Puffer Coat in Khaki; Eloquii Belted Faux Leather Coat in Hot Fudge

(Left to right) Ann Taylor Sherpa Double Breasted Coat in Iced Mocha; Zara Water and Wind Protection Puffer Coat in Khaki; Eloquii Belted Faux Leather Coat in Hot Fudge

Ann Taylor; Zara; Eloquii

4. The fashion coat

Prefer your winter jacket with more flair? A “fashion coat” can still survive a winter blast if you wear it with caution. Three choices top the list: A tailored coat in a high-tech fabric like the double-breasted Zara Water and Wind Protection Puffer Coat in Khaki ($90, zara.com/us), which is lightweight but insulated, water resistant and features a hood, deletes weather worry. A faux-leather trench like the Eloquii Belted Faux Leather Coat in Hot Fudge ($180, eloquii.com) is hoodless, but the slick pore-less polyurethane fabric can handle a drizzle (just don’t wear it in a drenching rainstorm). For cold but sunny winter days, a shearling coat like the Ann Taylor Sherpa Double Breasted Coat in Iced Mocha ($448, anntaylor.com) with notched collar is the grownup faux fur to choose. The combination of roomy below-the-knees shape and dense fleece-y sherpa finish provide warmth and coverage without weight … and it’s machine washable.

Asos Design Quilted Longline Coat in Camel; Tentree Men's Diamond Padded Bomber Jacket in Olive Green; Uniqlo Women PUFFTECH Oversized Coat Warm Padded in 35 Brown

(Left to right) Asos Design Quilted Longline Coat in Camel; Tentree Men's Diamond Padded Bomber Jacket in Olive Green; Uniqlo Women PUFFTECH Oversized Coat Warm Padded in 35 Brown

Nordstrom; Tentree; Uniqlo

5. The car, commuting and shopping coat

Winter weather can be tricky for those who bounce from indoors to outdoors all day long with no opportunity to take the coat off. That’s because while many coats keep you warm and dry when facing the low double-digit temperatures or a sleet storm, they can make you feel overheated or sweaty on mass transit, when driving, or sitting around a waiting room or airport. Lightweight quilted coats are the perfect solution. Longer styles like the Asos Design Quilted Longline Coat in Camel ($97, nordstrom.com) and the Uniqlo Women PUFFTECH Oversized Coat Warm Padded in 35 Brown ($150, uniqlo.com) look as polished over leggings and layers as they do over midi dresses. Guys can get in on the trend with a quilted jacket like the Tentree Mens Diamond Padded Bomber Jacket in Black or Olive Green ($208, tentree.com), designed to wear solo or layer over sweaters and sweatshirts. All coats fold up easily too for storage and travel.

Garnet Hill 2-in-1 Sherpa-Lined Coat for Women in Warm Kalamata; FatFace Men’s Broadsands Jacket in Brown; Columbia Men’s Bugaboo II Fleece Interchange Jacket in Delta; Proof Moonweight Puffer Shirt Jacket in Gemstone Green

(Left to right) Garnet Hill 2-in-1 Sherpa-Lined Coat for Women in Warm Kalamata; FatFace Men’s Broadsands Jacket in Brown; Columbia Men’s Bugaboo II Fleece Interchange Jacket in Delta; Proof Moonweight Puffer Shirt Jacket in Gemstone Green

Garnet Hill; Target; Columbia; Huckberry

6. The not-a-typical-coat alternative

As temperatures swing from one extreme to the other with little notice, those who live in more moderate climates like Texas and California are looking for outerwear solutions too. Water-resistant jackets for men like the Proof Moonweight Puffer Shirt Jacket in Gemstone Green ($198, huckleberry.com), filled with airy polyester insulation, and the FatFace Men’s Broadsands Jacket in Brown ($196, target.com), with wax-inspired finish, are the kinds of throw-ons that stand up to cool days. Two-in-one styles with removable linings like the Garnet Hill 2-in-1 Sherpa-Lined Coat for Women in Carbon or Warm Kalamata ($289, garnethill.com) and the Columbia Men’s Bugaboo II Fleece Interchange Jacket in Delta or City Grey, Black ($210, columbia.com) are another good choice for all. Sport- and athleisure-inspired, they allow you to build up warmth or discard it as needed.

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Lois Joy Johnson is a beauty and style editor who focuses on women 50 and older. She was the beauty and style editor at Ladies’ Home Journal and a founding editor of More magazine. She has written three books: The Makeup Wakeup, The Wardrobe Wakeup and The Woman's Wakeup.