When August approaches, I get this defeatist attitude and make comments like, "It's already winter." I start to notice how night sets in minutes earlier with each passing week. And if that wasn't bad enough, I begin to feel the lovely first signs of seasonal affective disorder. On the bright side, fall is my favourite fashion season, and one way I can combat the terminal winter condition is to piece together the perfect winter wardrobe.

But such a wardrobe poses challenges: It's a season of layers. And let's not forget the multitude of social and familial events one needs to contend with. So where should a person start? Simple–with the winter coat.