Shivering with cold or pouring from sweat; it can be hard to decide which coat you have to put on when temperatures drop to 50 °F in the mornings. Of course, you can insist on wearing your summer coat, but we have to face the fact that summer coats aren’t sufficient on cold days. When exactly is the right moment to put on your winter coat?

When do you wear a winter coat?

When it’s time to start wearing your winter coat mainly depends on how quickly you’re cold. To give you a guideline, we advise you to start wearing your winter coat when day temperatures reach up to 56°F. Keep in mind that the higher the temperatures are, the fewer clothes you have to wear under your winter coat. With temperatures between 50 and 60 °F, a blouse or a T-shirt will be enough to wear under your winter coat.

Would you rather postpone wearing your winter coat? A between-seasons coat or a leather jacket will do, but wear these with a nice knitted jumper or cardigan. Wearing thick knitted garments has a downside; you might get too warm when your inside.

When do you put on your winter coat?

One puts on a winter coat as soon as summer’s over, and others prefer to wait until temperatures drop to the thirties. Even though the guideline is to start wearing a winter coat when temperatures reach 56°F, there are some other things to keep in mind.

What time do you have to leave? As an early-bird that leaves the house early in the morning, September can be chilly. Even though temperatures rise during the day, a winter coat for the early mornings doesn’t sound like a crazy idea. When you leave the house later in the day, you’re probably better off wearing a between-seasons coat.

Do you hop in your car, or do you ride your bicycle? A winter coat is unnecessary when you hop in your warm car straight from home. Do you have to walk or ride your bike? That’s another story. In these cases, a winter coat is essential.

Are you always shivering with cold? Shivery types prefer to grab their winter coats as early as possible, usually in September. Are you always warm? Then you’ll easily make it to November without your winter coat.

When do babies have to wear a winter coat?

New-borns struggle with temperature control during the first week after birth. Warm clothes are essential, no matter the temperature. After their first week, babies can better control their temperatures, but dressing your child with one extra layer won’t cause any harm. Usually, babies start wearing winter coats before you even think of wearing one.

As your baby grows, you’ll notice the extra layer won’t be necessary. Are you going out by bike or pram? Even bigger babies will prefer to wear a winter coat. Your child sits still in the bike seat or pram, and he’s likely to get cold. You can keep your child’s legs at a comfortable temperature with a blanket or a footmuff.

When do children have to put on a winter coat?

The same rule applies to children and adults; a winter coat is necessary when temperatures reach 56°F. Also, your child’s characteristics play a role when it is time to start wearing a winter coat. One child already needs one in September, another child in November. Please keep in mind that children play outside when they are in school. A waterproof and warm coat is no luxury.

When do you buy a winter coat?

Winter coats are on sale throughout the year, but it is unlikely that you buy your winter coat in June or July. Towards the end of August, the new collections hit the shops. That is the perfect time to see what is available. It is clever to buy your winter coat in September to prevent your favourite coat from selling out. You’d better not wait until it gets very chilly. In that case, you will need a coat immediately, and this may lead to a bad buy.

If you still have last year’s winter coat in your closet, you can wait until your favourite coat is on sale. Black Friday usually has good deals.


Find the best deals on winter coats


-50%

Adidas Essentials Light Down Hooded Parka

£60.00 £120.00
Available at 2 webshops
-68%

Bench Womens Kincade Quilted Sherpa Jacket Winter White/Mushroom

£29.99 £94.99
MandM Direct
£ 100.00
-40%

Barbour Deveron Polarquilt Womens Jacket - Black

£81.23 £135.00
Secret Sales
-29%

Parajumpers Para Caelie Ld42 - Green

£219.00 £310.00
Available at 2 webshops
-30%

Tommy Hilfiger Wool Blend Classic Coat - Black

£225.00 £320.00
Available at 2 webshops
-55%

Adidas Terrex Xploric Down Jacket

£112.50 £250.00
Adidas
-32%

Herno Resort Nero Padded Jacket ,Black female, Sizes:

£524.00 £771.00
Miinto
-20%

Creenstone Padded Jackets Ecru ,Beige female, Sizes:

£352.00 £440.00
Miinto
-35%

Mountain Equipment Womens Earthrise Hooded Down Jacket: Cosmos:

£113.95 £174.95
Available at 2 webshops
-55%

The North Face Women's Diablo Down Jacket - Down jacket

£130.48 £289.95
Available at 2 webshops
Great value

Tommy Hilfiger Tommy Jeans Women's Essential Down-Filled Coat Winter

£110.00
Available at 2 webshops
-30%

Adidas Techrock Year-Round Down Hooded Jacket

£210.00 £300.00
Adidas
-20%

Adidas By Stella McCartney Padded Winter Gilet

£136.00 £170.00
Adidas
-60%

Montane Women's Anti-Freeze Hoodie Packable - Down jacket

£92.78 £231.95
Available at 3 webshops