Top Pick: J.Crew Stadium Cloth Cocoon Coat

J.Crew has been a favorite stop for classic coats for at least a dozen years or more. Their wool-blend fabrics are cozy and come in beautiful colors, and their coat silhouettes are timeless. Generally, the J.Crew coat look comes in one of three varieties: ladylike, preppy, or simple-classic. This new coat is a departure from that scheme, but in the best way possible.

The J.Crew Cocoon coat looks less like a traditional J.Crew coat shape and more like a coat that belongs at a more fashion-forward label, like Vince or even maybe Theyskens' Theory. It still comes in bright, saturated J.Crew colors, like Dublin Green and Smoky Coral (in addition to black and grey), and it is made from the label's omnipresent wool-blend stadium cloth. But, the funnel neck and unadorned cocoon body stand out from the rest of the crowded coat shopping page.

I'm eyeing this coat in basic black. It will go with a lot of different looks, from workday outfits and weekend casuals, to more style conscious looks like skinny black jeans and knee boots. Plus, it doesn't scream any particular label or season, making it a good choice for wearing year to year. The price -- $325.00 -- is just right for the combination of quality and style, and it qualifies for free shipping.

→ Buy the J.Crew Stadium Cloth Cocoon Coat, $325.00, at jcrew.com; shipping is free on this item.