When it comes to clothing, does anything beat the satisfaction you get from buying a new winter coat? It can take a bit of trial and error to pick something that ticks the stylish and practical boxes, but once you get it right, a decent coat can easily become one of your most trusted and treasured garments, whipped out whenever you need a boost of sartorial confidence in the cold weather. It’s also generally accepted that outerwear is the one area of your wardrobe where your budget can stretch a little; making sure you’ve got a coat that won’t fall to bits by January or have you shivering your way through the season is a priority here. A sensible investment, in other words.

The problem, of course, is knowing where to start. Though the impetus to schlep to the high street to try on this season’s offerings may be greatly diminished, don’t fret – we’ve got you covered. Read on for our pick of the best coats and jackets of the season.

The sartorial union of a suit and a biker jacket, the leather blazer is sharp without being stuffy, and provides warmth that belies its lightweight structure. This one looks particularly fine because it has been touched by the hand of one of fashion’s deities, Ms Miuccia Prada, who is known for her knack at tailoring that toes the line between comfortable and cutting edge. This is not a quiet jacket, so you’ll want the rest of your outfit to match its energy – the flourish of the SAINT LAURENT silk shirt shown here strikes just the right dandyish tone.

From Rocky Balboa to Del Boy, the cultural history of the shearling jacket is a long and complex one. When done right, though, a shearling jacket can channel a particular brand of aviator cool that no other coat can compete with. What’s more, a good shearling jacket boasts a longevity that means it shouldn’t just be for Christmas. This one from Acne Studios can be worn for as many years as you please; such is the timelessness of its design, not to mention the quality of its finish.

The puffer jacket, AKA the quilted jacket, is surely now an integral part of every modern man’s wardrobe. Both lightweight and cosy, this one from Moncler is particularly great thanks to both its technical prowess (it’s stuffed with a direct injection technique to make sure it stays as pillowy as possible) and its rather natty dusty pink colour. The shade is a subtle blush rather than any overt fashion statement, but it’s nonetheless the kind of coat that makes you take notice.

If you fancy yourself the kind of man that wants to channel a bit of Parisian insouciance without the risk of looking like a sloppy dresser, invest in a twill parka from Officine Generale. This unfussy yet stylish coat is cut from a tough twill and thus will weather well, while its understated navy colour and easy shape means it can be worn with pretty much anything. Très magnifique.

Who said practical raincoats were just for fishermen and theme-park goers? Thanks to Bottega Veneta – who is responsible for this particularly snappy waterproof coat – staying well-dressed in inclement weather is no problem. Slightly oversized in style with diagonal zip pockets making a statement across the chest, it’s a fashion-forward take on the traditional raincoat, but is versatile enough to be worn with both smart shoes, sneakers or, as in the case here, something in-between.

Well, if you want to be pernickety, it’s actually biker blouson, darling. Marrying the masculine toughness of a leather biker jacket with the minimalist, breezy feel of a lightweight cotton jacket, this Mr P. iteration gives a suave but subtle throwback to the 1970s without running you down in a Paisley-printed camper van. As such, it looks particularly good with a rollneck and wide-leg trousers, though a freshly pressed tee and jeans will also do the job.

Nobody knows how to shake up a classic like Mr Jonathan Anderson. Cleanly contemporary, this tailored wool houndstooth coat by his label JW Anderson is dapper enough to wear to the office, but also won’t look out of place when having a pint down your local. Leaving enough space to have a bit of fun with the rest of your outfit, try pairing it with offbeat accents, such as these clear-soled shoes by Bottega Veneta, or the mohair-blend zip-up snood, also by JW Anderson.