Last weekend marked the official opening of holiday shopping season with the Vets' Day sales, so while some of you paraded, others purchased. I did a little of both. A little armistice, a little Armani – civic duty and chic are equally important tenets of America, and should never be ignored. Especially on holidays.

So, after checking out the Healing Fields in Deering Oaks, I then, freezing, set about to find a winter coat. A summer lover to the core, I just this week accepted that beach weather is over. Yes, it's almost Thanksgiving, but I was still jumping in the ocean at the end last month, so I'm deep in denial about the coming snow. But it's time to embrace the season. And what better way to start than with a fun, yet practical, coat. Sold.

I stopped at Encore (521 Congress St., Portland, 775-4275), a personal favorite, in hopes of finding the perfect vintage coat. A fabulous, fur trimmed coat in mauve was perfect everywhere but the length (too short), and with the fur bottom it left me looking a little more Daisy Duck than old Hollywood. Other coats were too short in the arms, so Rita, the proprietor, suggested finding a good basic coat and returning for a vintage fur collar that can be attached (of which she has a stock). Great advice and I left feeling still cold, but optimistic. I've included two pictures from Encore below showing off the coat selection. There's a range of styles and prices (From $40-$800), and the burgundy coat on the right is absolutely gorgeous (it's a size Small). All definite must-sees.

In general, vintage and consignment stores are great places to shop for winter coats because the prices are often more reasonable and the selection of colors more varied. Black is classic and always practical, but don't underestimate the power of color to get you out the door in the dreary weather. Charcoal, chocolate and camel are other neutrals to consider if you don't want something too bright, and with all of them, scarves, gloves, hats and those detachable collars are affordable ways to make more of a statement. And so...

Spotted: Thin gloves with cute, beaded adornments at Material Objects (500 Congress St., Portland, 774-1241). I picked up a pair in cinnabar, but also in stock were sage and chocolate, $8/pair.