Top Coats: The Latest Coats Showcase Notice-Me Hues, Dressed Up Detailing

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TOWARD THE BLEARY END of every autumn, we start suffering from seasonal wardrobe affective disorder. The doom and gloom sets in when it comes time to banish bare legs and bright frocks in favor of thick long johns and bulky sweaters. This season, however, some sartorial sunshine comes via the latest crop of stylish coats, which blend mood-boosting hues (taxi yellow, nearly neon pink), cheeky fabrics (throwback plaids, fuzzy fur) and dressy additions such as ruffles and draping. After all, you might as well brighten up if you have to bundle up.

1) (Pictured at right) The Scottish plaid and exaggerated collar of Liquid's car coat suit casual weekends on the moors or the Mall ($350, Sugar, 1633 Wisconsin Ave. NW; 202-333-5331).
2) An elegant cascade of airy, abstract rosettes adds evening-worthy flash to a classic coat ($325, Ann Taylor, 1140 Connecticut Ave. NW; 202-659-0120).

3) An oversized houndstooth print, one of the season's most popular patterns, vaults Tabitha's swingy style from 1989 to 2009 ($228, Anthropologie, Tysons Galleria, McLean, Va.; 703-288-4387).
4) Rows of sleek silver buttons and sharp-as-a-bayonet tailoring lend this 3.1 Phillip Lim military topper extra polish ($895, Muleh, 1831 14th St. NW; 202-667-3440).
5) A lemony yellow hue and asymmetrical draping mesh give Loeffler Randall's offering an avant-garde edge ($529, Urban Chic, 1626 Wisconsin Ave. NW; 202-338-5398).
6) Kicky cropped sleeves, a dramatic funnel neck and a figure-flattering, A-line shape amp up an everyday gray coat ($225, Ann Taylor).
7) The quickest way to up the hip factor (and warmth) of a slinky cocktail dress: Throw on a cropped faux fur jacket in an over-the-top texture ($168, Express, Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, Arlington; 703-413-0127).
8) (Pictured at left) Rainy days aren't a problem for European Culture's treated canvas trench, whose leather-like finish delivers a Parisian-meets-punk look while wicking away moisture ($387, Pink November, 1534 U St. NW; 202-333-1121).

» Pictured at top: J. Crew's ribbon script coat ($275, J. Crew, 5335 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-537-3380) boasts an abstract ruffle along its front placket and comes in five colors, including dark poppy (shown).

Photos by Marge Ely/Express