Last year, I bought a lovely and warm quilted parka from Uniqlo. And I only wore it once.

Why? Because it was ugly. Unless you’re someone like Sally Singer–who can pull off a floor length version with aplomb–or you’ve scored one of Norma Kamali‘s classic sleeping bag coats, quilted parkas are a bit hopeless. At least when it comes to looking “put together.”

Enter the military anorak. Guys have been wearing these pumped-up versions of your fall army jacket for seasons upon seasons, but this is the first year that I’ve found several warm styles for women.

I’m going with Relwen‘s version–it’s really, truly warm and won’t break the bank at $500. (Yves Salomon‘s version will, but it’s is an investment piece. As in, you’re investing in your health by keeping warm this winter!)

Click through for this season’s top anoraks.

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