It’s that time of the year again, where we all pull out our winter’s coziest coats from storage! If you’ve ever pulled out your coats, only to realize you have no idea how to freshen them up for the new season, look no further! This is your 101 guide on coast to coast essential coats, washing winter coats and how to take care of them.

How do you buy the perfect coat? To build a successful coat wardrobe, you have to start with the why. Why do you need a coat? For that chilled-to-the-bone winter air of NYC? For the mild winter mornings in LA? For business trips across the country? For that special night out so you don’t freeze in your dress? The reality is that you can’t solve every situation with one coat.
If you’re in NYC, chances are you need a coat that can withstand layering. And if you’re in sunny Los Angeles, you’re going to need something notably lighter. Not only is weather a factor, but your needs can change based on the occasion as well!

We’re going to show you a few of our favorite basic coat styles that cover the most common needs from coast to coast, and how to wash winter coats, maintain their quality and keep them clean.

Want travel ready outfits for work, vacation outfits or an update to your winter wardrobe basics? Wardrobe styling services by Meg Gallagher, Personal Stylist Los Angeles can be found here!

The All-Purpose Oversized Wool Coat

A true essential, this oversized wool coat is perfect for a commuter’s NYC layers with it’s wide armholes and chic design. We recommend purchasing this piece in basic colors to extend the wearability. Stick to black, camel, navy, maroon, olive or cream before venturing into check patterns or statement colors.

How to Care For a Wool Jacket

-Use a lint roller to clean a coat after daily wear before hanging the piece in your closet.

-When there’s a spill on your jacket, blot the spot and do not rub it! The idea is to soak up the spill and not spread it further.

-Always hang your coat on a sturdy hanger with ample space to keep the weight of the coat from stretching the shoulder areas. If packed too tightly with other items, your coat could become crumpled.

-Make sure to dry clean winter coat at the end of the season and hang in a garment bag to prevent insects from infesting the wool.

The Belted Trench & Wrap Coat

Best serving the fall and spring climate of San Francisco and New York, these trending coat styles create a flattering shape like no other! We love duster-trench hybrids for Los Angeles that provide all the style without the rainy disposition. The wrap coat is a chic go-to for NYC and LA evenings out, desk-to-dinners, alfresco date nights and any other occasion you need a cozy-yet-elegant top layer. 

How to Care For Waterproof Trench Coats

-Although care for a trench largely depends on what the piece is made out of, most trenches (Unless they are leather) are much more machine-wash friendly than other coat alternatives. Even still, it is best to dry-clean and spot clean when possible. 

-If you need to clean your waterproof jacket as well as reproofing, try this product. 

How to Care for Leather Trench Coats

-Never leave your jacket folded for a long period of time, as this can encourage creases and cracks in the leather. 

-Keep your jacket away from heat sources like sunlight, ironing and steam to avoid the material becoming brittle.

-Keep your jacket DRY! No Rain! If your coat does get wet, leave it out on a hanger to dry.

-Condition your leather to prolong it’s lifespan and prevent cracking.

How to Care for Faux Leather (Vegan Leather, Pleather) Trench Coats

-While there are different forms of faux leather, there are a few general rules of thumb to keep the material from cracking and distorting.
-Avoid machine washing to maintain the integrity of your coat. Mix liquid dish detergent with warm water, and use a soft bristle brush to hand-scrub your garment and then rinse with cold water. Hang garment to dry to avoid distortion of the coat.
-Just need to freshen up your coat without washing it? Freshen between washes by spritzing with The Laundress Delicate Spray – a versatile formula for cleaning your faux leather that has antibacterial properties, which adds scent while removing odor.

The Cozy Puffer Coat

This is a great coat for travel that accounts for rain, snow, and proper coziness. For NYC, invest in a down puffer jacket. For Los Angeles, opt for a lightweight alternative. 

How to Care For a Down Jacket

-Aim to wash this piece 1-2 times a year and spot treat when needed. Excessive washing can cause wear and tear!

-Avoid compressing your jacket by squishing it in a backpack or travel suitcase. If too compressed, give it a low-heat tumble in the dryer and hang it up as soon as possible. 

-Keep this piece from getting soaked, as it takes a LOT of time to dry!

-Feathers sticking out of your jacket? Don’t pull them out – push them back in! See these patching instructions by rei.com.

The Going Out Coat

These are the coats that are fashion forward with the sole purpose of adding a fabulous top layer to your ensemble. Great for events, nights out and statement outfits!

The post How to Clean and Make Your Winter Coats Look Fabulous appeared first on Madison to Melrose.

Want more expert advice from a stylist? Contact Meg or check out her styling services here.

How to Clean Wool
Wash wool less frequently – It’s a natural, self-regulating fiber! Clean stains with a gentle detergent by carefully blotting instead of rubbing. When using a washing machine, turn your piece inside out and soak in cold water beforehand to minimize shrinkage. Once in the machine, use a cold water & gentle setting. Proceed to let it air dry.

How to Clean Silk
Check the label! “DRY CLEAN ONLY” indicates that the safest method of cleaning your silk is to dry clean it. However, when a tag merely labels “DRY CLEAN” without the “ONLY”, this indicates dry cleaning as a recommended method rather than a must-obey. Soak your garment in cold water with a detergent for delicates. (For a spot treatment, treat the stain with cold water and a diluted solution of detergent, then soak.) Air dry silk while keeping it out of direct sunlight. To iron silk, wait until the garment is dry. Put a cloth between the iron and garment, and only iron on low heat or a silk setting. Then hang silk in a cool, dry place.

How to Clean Rayon
Viscose Rayon isn’t generally washable, unless otherwise labeled. Treat rayon as a delicate fabric. Pretreat and spot clean any stains with a stain solution. Add a squirt of delicate wash to a sink filled with cold water. Place the garment in the sink and waft the water with your hands to evenly distribute soap, then soak for up to 30 minutes. Rinse well by running cool water through the item. Do not wring! Instead, press the water out of the item, then lay it flat in it’s natural shape on a drying rack to air dry. After the piece has dried, remove any pills with a sweater comb.

How to Clean Cotton
Cotton is a durable fabric that is okay to machine wash. To prevent shrinkage, set the machine to a cold or warm wash setting. Tumble on a low setting until dry, then immediately remove the garment to prevent wrinkles. To remove existing wrinkles, add a spray starch and let rest for a minute. Proceed to use a steam iron on a cotton or high setting to gently press the garment into shape.

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