WITH a slew of special touches, this season's coats do more than just keep you warm. Coats are great for making an impact and can transmit your sense of style from a hundred yards away.

This season's coats are especially good at conveying a fashion statement. New trends such as tweeds, faux fur and chic belted silhouette coats -- as well as a new era of cool trench style and tailored pea coats have taken the coat to a whole new level.

Glamour girl

If you love this season's focus on opulent trims, faux-fur accessories and the elegant mix of tweeds and textures, then the "glamour girl" coat is the one for you. It combines all the best of the season in one slimming silhouette coat, from the lush faux-fur collar topping a tweed or plaid to the tailored, single-buttoned line. The knee-length hem pairs perfectly with slim or A-line skirts.

Want the latest trendy twist? Wear a slim belt at the waist of your A-line coat. You'll complete the look with your ladylike mock-croc handbag, a pair of supple leather gloves and boots.

Bohemian chic

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If you love the eclectic, casual revival of '70s fashions, then the bohemian trend will keep you covered in style. Go for a long, fit and flare silhouette with a flirtatious, fully curved hemline. It's a look that's both classic and yet just downtown enough to mix with your everyday essentials -- aviator shades, a wool turtleneck and jeans tucked into lace-up boots. This coat style is versatile enough to dress up if necessary, but it truly stars as an all-occasion topper over your own unique mix of separates. The cool colors like dark green, gray and brown are the most suitable on the fashion palette.

Pretty sporty

Need a coat that keeps up with your busy, casual lifestyle? The parka and similar styles are still going strong, but this season you'll find they have grown out of the "rap star" phase and emerged with a whole new, prettier look.

First, choose a color that's new and fresh, such as yellow or lilac. Second, step away from crinkly, shiny microfibers, wool or wool blends are the way to go. Finally, load up with as much embellishment as you want, as the topstitched details, embroideries, ribbon trims, faux-fur collars, hems and hoods are right on. Opting for a pretty color instead of neutral navy or black is the trick to give this semi-traditional style a new attitude. The coats in colors of green, blue and purple once again become instant classics.

Tailored to a pea

Do you prefer highly tailored looks or describe yourself as just to the left of preppy¹Ò You're in luck! The pea coat has reemerged as a force to be reckoned with this season, all gussied up and tailored to perfection. This A-line classic matches so perfectly with the feminine figure, so you will find it to be fitted with neat little collars and cuffs and smartly styled buttons. Opt for neutral navy, beige or black and you'll have a coat you can wear for years to come. If you want to sass it up a bit, go for one of this season's super bright or a prepster plaid.

Urban sophisticate

Do you love the look of a long, lean, classic coat that telegraphs sophistication from head to toe? The dramatic, floor-length polish of a full sweep of wool or cashmere is understated elegance at its very best. It looks gorgeous over skirt or pant suits and is right at home in any professional environment. This season, you will find many with wonderful, oversized notched collars and a clean front style with buttons on the inside. For the newest twist, go for a light neutral. White is hands down the cream of sophistication, but if you shudder at the thought of your dry-cleaning bills, a cool black or camel is a good second choice.

Editor: Wing