Finding the perfect winter coat is no easy task. Depending on where you live and your daily life, you might have several different considerations when searching for a warm jacket, ranging from durability and waterproof coverage to style and color. Here are five things to help assess whether or not a cold-weather jacket is right for you, and a suggestion for where to find one:

1. Look for quality materials
It is important to consider what materials your coat is made from — both for environmental or ethical reasons and for your own personal benefit. Wool is warm and durable, and beyond being 100% natural, it will also offer water resistance. Tweed is lightweight and versatile, but slightly less warm. Leather and faux leather are mostly waterproof, but difficult to clean. Do your research when it comes to materials — this way, you can ensure that you are properly maintaining your pieces to last, and that your coat will keep you warm enough for the most extreme lows of your region’s winter months.

2. Leave room for layers underneath
The general advice for buying a new coat is this: size up from your normal size. Between holiday parties, Christmas shopping, or ringing in the new year, you will likely have festivities where you will be sporting a sweater (or several other layers) under your coat. For this reason, you will want to be able to comfortably fit both a base layer — like a long-sleeved T-shirt or blouse — and a thicker-knit sweater or cardigan underneath your outer layer. This way, you will be prepared for bundling up during the chillier nights.

3. Ensure there’s a hood
Unless you plan to purchase an outer shell to go atop your winter coat, you might find yourself regretting your hoodless coat purchase. In addition to protecting your head and hair from cold or freezing rain, a hood can trap heat and keep you comfortable in the face of winds or extreme temperatures. Plus, outer shells can be an expensive addition to your wardrobe — so it might be cheaper in the long run to find a coat that has one already built in.

4. Look for coats with pockets
Men’s coats and jackets typically come equipped with sufficient pocket depth — but as a woman, it can be more difficult to find pockets in your perfect coat. Pockets should be a requirement, and not just for storing keys, phones, and other must-have items — they also provide a place to shelter your hands and wrists from the cold.

5. Look for warmth over trendiness
A coat should be an investment. That means that you do not want to spend hundreds of dollars on a coat that will be going out of style within the next year. You should look for a coat that has sufficient warmth, while still privileging a classic cut and style over a more “hip” look. A Moncler ladie’s jacket is a good combination of timeless style and quality, which will be warm enough for a wide range of temperatures, with the added benefit of a hood and pockets. Moncler jackets can be found in stores like Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and Bloomingdales.