The bread-and-butter of a winter wardrobe is outerwear. After all, it’s the item you simply can’t leave your apartment without when temperatures are low. Depending on where you live, outerwear may remain a long-time seasonal staple being almost as important as your morning coffee. That being said, choosing a piece that you’ll love is even more important.

When outerwear comes to mind, the body-hugging peacoat or bulky duffle coat may be considered the go-to choice. Though these two keep us warm to a certain degree, what option do we have when the temperatures get extreme? 

Enter the parka, the supreme of outerwear. This utilitarian layer has undergone a transformation over the last several decades. Though it was invented in Canada to insulate hunters and kayakers, it’s now a full-on fashion staple—one that also happens to keep you nice and toasty. Though it’s still meant to endure the great outdoors, the well-insulated garment has evolved into something greater. Ahead, discover the different parka jacket trends happening right now.

A cargo-green parka is the essential neutral that says a lot without doing too much. It’s a timeless color that can be effortlessly modernized with subtle design details. 

Who said the colder months have to be gloomy? A light khaki color feels fresh and versatile, which makes it a chic route if you’re in the market for a new parka.

If you need something that will literally go with everything in your closet, a neutral-colored parka in a dark hue is a smart choice.

A milky pastel feels right for winter’s most frigid months. Consider one of these pale-pink or baby-blue options for your cold-weather wardrobe.

Whether color-blocked, patterned, or perhaps textured, if you’re looking to jazz up your winter wardrobe, reach for one of these playful parkas.

Up next, 11 fresh ways to wear a trench coat right now.

This post was published previously and has since been updated by Isiah Magsino.

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