Only two coats are absolutely necessary in your closet: a basic winter coat (usually made of wool) in a dark color that you can wear to work or an evening out. It doesn’t have to be black though — whatever color you love most will work.

Second is a trench coat that’s — and this is important — functional (meaning it will actually keep rain out), like Julia Stiles is wearing here. This way you can still look good when it’s raining or slightly chilly out, Inlander says.