I saw a story on Style.com yesterday that made me laugh out loud. It compares fashion advice from two new books coming out (by "Spice Girl" Victoria Beckham and celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe) to fashion advice given in a 1959 book about the art of being a well-dressed wife (by 1950's fashion designer Anne Fogarty). I haven't read any of the books, but after howling through parts of this article, I may track them down. Perhaps you'll enjoy it as much as I did:

As temperatures cool down and coats come out, it's the perfect time to take a look at this cool weather staple. If you live in the Southern Hemisphere and are heading into spring, or if you live in the sub-tropics and rarely need a coat, keep reading anyway. I'll give you some "food for thought" the next you're faced with cool weather - like traveling for the holidays.

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Does it fit your properly? Does it fit over bulky clothing? Does it fit your lifestyle?

For many women, the answer is "no." I know that because I see them on the street every day in outerwear that's too big, too small, or too casual for their needs. Many are on their way to work and have taken time with their business attire, only to spoil the effect with a coat that doesn't work.

Just because you're in your coat a short time doesn't mean that it's not important. You're not invisible. In fact, if you regularly wear a coat while conducting business, like making sales calls, showing real estate, or coaching a sports team, for example, your coat can make a BIG difference in how you're perceived.

In his classic "Dress for Success" book, John T. Malloy conducted several tests on coat styles and colors to determine how people responded to different things. He sent two similarly dressed men into business offices and asked them to hand deliver a package to the boss. The only difference between them was the color or style of their coat. In repeated tests using trench coats, the man in the beige trench was allowed to deliver his package within minutes of arriving. The man in the black trench was kept waiting much longer, sometimes hours. Why? Because for men, the classic beige trench is often associated with high incomes while the black trench is considered blue collar. Thus, those wearing black weren't perceived by the receptionist to be as important as those wearing beige, so they were forced to wait.

But you can't control what people think. You can only help shape their opinions by how you present yourself.

That you mean business whatever the weather? Or that outerwear is an afterthought? As we saw with Mr. Malloy, how you approach the matter will have an impact on how you're treated by others.

The same think you think about when buying clothes: purpose, lifestyle, and budget.

What will the coat be used for? Work? Taxing kids in cold weather? Skiing in Canada? Mucking out horse stalls? What? If you begin with the end in mind, you'll have a lot better success in finding what you need.

Long wool coats work well over dresses and business attire, for example, but hip-length coats are better if you're constantly in and out of the car. Ski coats need to be warm and waterproof while dirty work coats need to be easily washed. Think about what you'll be doing to find the best coat for the job.

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Hip-Length Coat

How many coats do you need? It depends on your lifestyle. For most people, one dress coat and one casual coat fits most of their needs. But if you live in a climate with four distinct seasons or if you attend a lot of different activities (like work, sporting events, and charity balls) your outerwear needs increase. If you travel a lot, you know that different climates call for different coat weights. So build your outerwear wardrobe based on the needs of your lifestyle so you'll always be appropriately dressed.

Work

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Casual

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Evening

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Informal

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Coats can be expensive, and you may not be able to afford all the different coats you'd like to have to fill out your outerwear wardrobe. That's okay. Look to your primary needs first, then set a goal to fill in as your budget allows. If you'll be doing something once or for a short amount of time (a formal dinner, a weekend ski trip), see if you can borrow the necessary pieces instead of buying them. It makes much more sense.

So what's the most versatile go-anywhere coat around that offers the biggest bang for your money? A classic trench with a zip out liner. It can handle cold, rain, casual, or business with equal finesse, and it folds up nicely for compact storage. A real plus when traveling.

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Looking good in bad weather doesn't have to be a challenge if you plan appropriately and build a versatile outerwear wardrobe. What's more, by making a conscience choice to dress appropriately for whatever the day might bring, you'll be delighted by how well you're received - and treated - by those you meet. In fact, as Molloy discovered, you may even find yourself with quick assess to all sorts of things.

Want more in-depth information on how to build an outerwear wardrobe? Download a copy of BUSINESS WEAR MAGIC

http://www.businesswearmagic.com

to see how income-boosting an appropriate business wear wardrobe can be.