Winter coats first hit retail stores in August, so this is the best time to choose from the widest variety. Coats are a great investment piece and can last years, so you want to make sure to buy at a time when there is a fantastic selection. “You may not think about coats when it’s boiling hot outside, but the end of summer is a prime time to buy,” says celebrity stylist Keylee Sanders.

As for the best deal, hit up the stores in January. Wool coats and puffy jackets are slim pickings, but you do have a better chance of lucking out and finding an expensive coat on sale.