Sometimes it seems cold weather was invented just as an excuse to shop for coats in NYC. From peacoats at Bergdorf Goodman to parkas at Barneys, once you’ve outfitted yourself in New York, you’ll be wishing for the winter to linger. The city in the cold can be a most fantastic place—ice-skating in Rockefeller Center, walks in Central Park with only hot cocoa as a companion—but it’s vital to remember that the mercury tiptoes around the freezing point all through the season. And considering this city requires lots of walking (or at the very least hopping in and out of cabs), it’s crucial to top yourself off with something cozy and chic. When it comes to women’s coats, say no to anonymous puffers and scratchy wool monstrosities, and yes to elegant silhouettes and daring details. To stay both stylish and warm all season long, we’ve rounded up the best shops to outfit you for the icy sidewalks and beyond.

Advance to the Avenues

For a shopping experience worthy of the ladies-who-lunch, there’s no better place to troll for coats than the Avenues: Fifth and Madison, to be precise. Grab a spot of tea at the Plaza Hotel’s famed Palm Court, and then head straight across the street to Bergdorf Goodman. Their assortment of looks is simply sublime, and you can scoop up anything from a Rebecca Taylor beauty of a wool peacoat (replete with faux-fur trim) to cold weather accessories to match. For those looking for something with a bit more edge, there’s no better place to find new designers than Barneys New York. From fabulously furry parkas by Mr. and Mrs. Italy to Dries Van Noten car coats, there is something you’re certain to ogle.

Dare to Go Downtown

To do as Manhattan downtowners do, head south of 14^th Street. A stroll through the picturesque West Village is not complete without two things: a stop at Magnolia Bakery for a cup of banana pudding (trust us, it puts the cupcakes to shame) and a peek in at Marc Jacobs. His fall collection was a brilliant mix of sophistication and whimsy, and there’s no better evidence than his plaid coat with voluminous fur sleeves. More discreet items abound as well, but as fans of Jacobs know, it’s best to go big when wearing one of his pieces. Head further afield to SoHo and be sure to wander past the neighborhood’s iconic cast iron buildings and into Acne Studios on Greene Street. The Stockholm-based company crafts exquisite pieces that will keep you warm and give you that effortless downtown vibe. Shrug on the company’s double-breasted wool coat (straight off their fall runway) and revel in the piece’s whipstitched detailing and roomy pockets.

Trot to Tribeca

Further downtown, in the somewhat geographically confusing place known as Tribeca—the Triangle Below Canal Street—there is a treasure trove of indie boutiques to sift for impossibly cool styles. Steven Alan’s airy flagship location is just the place to find that piece you didn’t know you needed, but now can’t live without. The store is the perfect place to scoop up a coat by the hipper-than-thou designer Rachel Comey. Her boxy wool coat features trompe l’oeil hands on the pockets that will be certain to make you smile when your own hands may be turning numb in the cold. After passing through neighborhood mainstay Bubby’s for brunch (their buttermilk biscuits are worth the wait), make sure to stop in Issey Miyake’s wonderfully avant-garde boutique across the street. He uses an ingenious polyhedron fabric that gives the material a 3D effect. Grab one of his coats and it will make even the simplest ensemble positively pop.