by Lenna Gonya

Created on: November 08, 2009

The old saying, what goes around, comes around, is certainly true about clothing styles. And, if you look around, you will find that the coat styles for this winter span every decade from the 60's to the 90's. While a lot of fashion today tends to focus on outfits that only a small percentage of models could actually get away with wearing, the coat trends this year have something for everyone.

Just about anything goes, coat wise this fall and winter, from the long cape to the ankle length coat. Capes were popular in the late 60's and early 70's. They were colorful, comfortable, and were made in knitted, almost shawl designs, and, in light weight wool, usually with two or three buttons from the middle to the neck line. The long coats, often with a double-breasted design, usually, sporting gold or shiny brass buttons, with a slim fitted waist, are sometimes trimmed, this year, in faux fur. Living in a cold climate, I especially appreciate the return of the ankle length coat, and the high boots that are worn with it. I'm especially glad because I have one of these really warm long coats in my closet.

What we once called the trench coat is back in a variety of materials, belted or unbelted. In it's shorter form we called it a car coat. Anyway, whatever you call it, it's back and practical because of it's length and the collar, big enough to turn up around your neck in the winter wind.

Anything with a military look is in this fall. The navy-colored, Navy-looking, pea coat, or variations of it, is back in style, complete with brass nautical buttons on a double breasted front, deep warm pockets, usually created from wool.

The 70's long knitted sweater coat is making a comeback, and almost any long or short cardigan for the fall season. It's time to get these out of the back of the closet and use them now when the temperature is just cool enough for a sweater but you still don't need a coat.

From what I've seen so far in the coat trends, they seem to be a little more practical this year, as well as attractive. You might find a bright color here and there, but most are going for the white, black or camel more neutral colors.

And, like in the 70's and 80's, many of these coats, are being worn with jeans, high collared oversized sweaters, and knee or thigh high boots.

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