A great coat makes a great first impression. It's the one item in your closet that can transform anything you wear this fall and winter. Oh, yeah, and it can also keep you warm! Here's a checklist of the season's best cover-ups to put on your shopping list now, before the first snowflake falls:

—Add some volume. The newest coats are slightly oversize this fall, allowing plenty of room underneath for jackets and vests. Choose from overscale details, too — e.g., wide shawl collars, metallic hardware and bold buttons. If you buy one of these versatile coats, just make sure you aren't totally overwhelmed by the generous silhouette. Check out boxy cropped peacoats, military maxis and cozy duffle coats in the season's popular hue — camel.

—Make it tailored. The menswear coats are always a best bet when it comes to creating a coat wardrobe that will take you from work to weekend. Whether it's a plaid belted wrap coat or a wool tweed top coat, buy the best quality you can afford. This "everyday" coat will possibly become the backbone of your wardrobe for years to come.

—Pump it up. The puffer coats are one of the trendiest outerwear styles this year, pumping up the style in quilted nylon parkas and sporty down coats that provide protection from the cold. There are waterproof versions that do double duty, keeping you warm and dry. On and off the ski slopes, these chic utility coats are now crashing the party scene in metallic colors worn over cocktail dresses.

—Have fun with fur. Faux fur and shearling are the season's favorite textures, turning up in short bomber-style coats and long sweeping maxi coats. The quality of faux fur has come a very long way, and faux fur is a great way to give your coat wardrobe a luxurious touch. This fall, the newest plush coats are creating drama in bold graphic patchwork patterns.

—Go bright with color. Sometimes we just get tired of all the blacks and grays and we want to brighten up our wardrobes, fast. A dose of crimson or royal purple may do the trick. Or check out the candy-colored pastels in sugary pinks, pale blues and mint greens. These colorful coats will definitely lift your mood during the cold days ahead.

—Fly away in style. There are more choices than ever in outerwear this year, and the cape coat is one of the best reasons to buy a new cover-up. These toppers are great to wear when the weather is more temperate and you just need a little something to ward off the chill. They can double as a new jacket to wear to work over blouses and trousers or to wear with casual jeans and sweaters on the weekend.

—Get down in the trenches. One classic coat that never goes out of style, the trench coat is a must-have workhorse in your coat closet. You can wear it dressed up or dressed down; it travels everywhere you go, and it's an essential go-to for easy packing. This year, if you want to update this basic, check out a trench in a glossy leather style.

—Party on. With the holidays approaching, the evening coats will be making an entrance. Here's where you can have some fun! Go with a floral brocade, a silky brocade or a shimmering satin. These special toppers can be the festive focus of your cocktail wear. Who cares if they don't keep you warm?

Coats get pumped up in volume this fall with oversize silhouettes. Pictured is a Chloe double-breasted wool coat, available at Nordstrom.

To find out more about Sharon Mosley and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com.

Coats get pumped up in volume this fall with oversize silhouettes. Pictured is a Chloe double-breasted wool coat, available at Nordstrom.