Made from a cozy 70% wool blend, this knee-length coat absolutely envelops you. The high funnel neck keeps wind out, and the extra-deep pockets provide refuge for chilly hands. Just be aware that its concealed button closure is a little annoying to maneuver.
Not all wool coats are built for what I'd call a "real winter" (I was raised in Wisconsin). But Aritzia's coats are -- perhaps because the brand is Canadian. From the fabric to the construction, these coats deliver real warmth -- yet not at the expense of style.
Our three Aritzia picks -- The Slouch Coat - Soft Wool Cashmere, The Stedman Coat - Soft Wool Cashmere, and The Cocoon Coat - Virgin Wool Cashmere -- feel au courant without looking trendy, and they come in sizes 2XS to 2XL. Each coat is available in multiple fabric options (all of which the brand has assigned a temperature rating to; more on that below) and in a wide range of easy-to-wear neutrals.
These coats are toasty and winter-ready. Aritzia assigns temperature ratings to its outerwear, with its wool coats falling into three categories: Warmish (comfortable down to around 32 °F); Warm (down to 14 °F); and Warmer (down to -4 °F). The ratings take into account the design of the coat (longer styles are inherently warmer) and the fabric, including any lining.
Our Aritzia picks are all made from fabric with a high percentage of wool, and they're fully lined with an additional layer of interlining to block wind and add warmth. They're all designed without a back vent (a vent is another opportunity for cold air to sneak in), and they're cut with enough room that you can walk, sit, and move around comfortably.
The Slouch Coat is the warmest pick in this guide. Aritzia gives this style a Warmer rating, which the brand says is comfortable to around -4 °F. Although we didn't get the chance to verify its performance at that temperature, I can confirm that it was the warmest coat (by far) when I put it to the test in a 34 °F walk-in refrigerator.
The Slouch Coat's double-breasted closure offers generous chest coverage, and its calf-length hem effectively covers most of your body in a cozy blend of 78% wool with 10% cashmere. We appreciate that it comes in 12 colors, three height options (Short, Regular, Tall), and two additional fabrics, (Re)Camel Wool (-4 °F) and (Re)ssential (32 °F). This style runs large, so we recommend going one size down.
For a style that's polished and streamlined -- yet not overly fitted -- we recommend The Stedman Coat. The single-breasted Stedman Coat is rated to 14 °F. Although it's made from the same Soft Wool Cashmere fabric blend as our Aritzia Slouch Coat pick, it's not as thick, so it's not quite as warm. This coat also comes in a Virgin Wool version (which has the same temperature rating).
The Stedman Coat runs true to size, with a straight cut that's "comfortably roomy," according to a 5-foot-1 tester who wore it in XS Regular. Unfortunately, it's our only Aritzia pick that comes in just one height option; it lands around the calf area, depending on your height.
Testers were charmed by The Cocoon Coat's distinctive funnel neck. This coat has a sleek silhouette with a high, wind-blocking neckline and a straight-yet-slim cut (of our Aritzia picks, this one runs the smallest, so consider sizing up). "The collar looks good both popped and flat. It's two different vibes: Dr. Evil vs. funky," said one tester, adding that the "details make it feel expensive." On my 5-foot-3 frame, the coat is about knee-length.
The Cocoon Coat comes in six fabrics. We recommend the Virgin Wool Cashmere version, a super-soft blend of 70% wool and 5% cashmere, which carries the brand's Warm rating (comfy to around 14 °F).
One complaint about this design: Its concealed button placket gets in the way when you're trying to fasten the buttons. One tester pointed out that it would be annoying to button up in a hurry, and another noted that it wouldn't be ideal for people with arthritis or other dexterity issues.
Aritzia's sizing can be inconsistent. The Slouch Coat and The Stedman Coat both run big, while The Cocoon Coat runs small.
The sleeves on these styles might be too short for long arms. Our 6-foot tester found the sleeves on these coats to be about an inch short. Most have a generous seam allowance, though, so a tailor could potentially let them out.