Whether you're in the northern hemisphere or in the tropics, there is no better time than now to prep for the cold.

by Rohaizatul Azhar

Living in tropical Singapore means that I live for my winter holidays.

It is the only time of the year when I’m truly alive because I get to visit my family in London, and, more importantly, take out my winter essentials so that I can layer the cold away. More than that, layering coats and scarves is a styling trick that I love because, more often that not, we don’t really have to pay too much attention to what’s going on underneath.

So, what I’m saying is that if there was ever a wardrobe piece worth investing in, it would have to be the coat. Because when the chill starts to touch the air, coats are especially important for both travelling and for home. Why, you asked? Because coats are always the first piece of clothing people will see – and sometimes they are the only thing you will be seen wearing. Listen, there were days when I am in my pyjamas all day but when I am tasked to go get groceries, for instance, I’d throw on a great coat, and I’m ready to face the world.

And though some of us the tropics are not travelling anytime soon, there is no better time than now to prep for the cold. Our tip: Start by shopping classic coats that will go with most outfits, and last you season after season.

But choosing the right coat is always important. My advice is to look out for these three qualities before making a purchase:

1. Comfort.

When it comes to coats, you should always pay attention to how comfortable you can be wearing them. I’ve had so many coats that I can safely say that you will not reach for the ones that are uncomfortable. They look great, for sure, but if you find your movements restricted just to look great, they will never make it to the top of your pile again.

2. Quality.

When investing in a coat, you want to be confident that you are purchasing a quality item. So whatever your budget, try to stick to good quality fabrics. This isn't a purchase most people make every year. Instead, many of us tend to wear our coats for a number of seasons. I’ve never, for even a second, regretted saving up my allowance to buy myself a powder blue classic cut coat from Kenzo. It’s one of my statement coats that not only kept me warm, but also got me alot of attention from passersby. I’m currently eyeing a puffer coat from Moncler, and saving up to get it in time for my next winter holiday (whenever that might be).

3. The cut and fit

Much like choosing a colour, you also want to think about the cut and fit. It's good to have something quite tailored and smart in your coat arsenal. It's also quite nice to have something a little more slouchy, like a wrap style, which are ideal for weekends over jumpers, jeans and sneakers.

Having said the above, I thought it’ll be great to also highlight some of the best coats THE FIFTH COLLECTION has on the site.

What’s your favourite style of cold weather gear? Let us know in the comments below!