What’s the most surefire way to ruin a hot outfit? Wearing the wrong type of coat. You could wear the flyest European-style suit from Ralph Lauren Black Label, but if your overcoat is two sizes too big and you got it from the Men’s Warehouse you’ve thrown the whole game. We must not forget that first impressions mean a lot, make sure that your outer layer represents freshness. This month on Thank God I’m Fresh (TGIF) we review 5 different coats for 5 different looks.

Pea Coat

One of my personal favorites for several reasons. The classic navy six-button pea coat with the high collar is tops. The versatility of this coat makes it work for almost any style. Wear it with jeans and a sweater, or a hoody, dress slacks, nice shirt, and sweater. If paired with a suit, I do suggest removing your suit jacket first, as the pea coat can’t handle the bulky layer without upsetting the balance of freshness. My pick for this one is at J Crew. You’ll find the classic navy with six anchor-adorned buttons and the high collar (popping the collar is somewhat of a must). Phenomenal. You can find this here.

Toggle Coat

This is a pretty fly coat, but you have to have “it” to wear this one. It’s a collegiate staple, and sans hood is probably the best way to go. Use the toggle on the weekend to smarten up your look. Banana Republic’s Heritage line has a great one. You can find this here.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Trench Coat

This is another one of my favorites, which originally stemmed from a military design. The trench handles the cold as well as the wet. It traditionally comes in beige, but the black trench brings more style. If you want to invest in a nice trench, Burberry has a great one that will certainly get the job done. You can find this here.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Military Jacket

Military-style jackets go all the way back to days where men wore horses into battle. They’ve seen a recent resurgence in popularity, establishing a ubiquitous presence in clothing stores. This army-inspired jacket is as fresh as it is utilitarian. This one can be found at H&M; it’s a super dope store with super affordable merchandise. Can’t beat that. You can find this here.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Chesterfield Coat

This slim-cut overcoat has a hem that hits the knee to keep you warm without making you feeling like you’re carrying another person on your back. It’s the perfect choice for a formal event or upscale outing. Banana Republic always carries an updated version. In fact, if you’re in Michigan, stop by the Banana Republic at Somerset Collection in Troy. There’s a great salesman by the name of Nelson there. He’s often pretty Fresh himself and has great style suggestions. You can find this here.