Courtesy of Burberry

For many women, buying a new spring coat is a yearly shopping highlight. Single-breasted or double-breasted? Bright color or neutral? But as investment dressing becomes a necessity in most of our lives, nothing is more enduring than the classic trench coat — a lesson that Liv Tyler has clearly picked up. We’ve spotted the always-stylish star in three different Burberry trench coats in the past month alone. From her short tan trench to her long tan coat to her short black topper, the actress is classic and cool at once. Check out the selection on Burberry.com. Or do you want to get Liv’s look for a lot less? Check out our editor’s picks for the best spring trenches under $100 by clicking here.

Janet Mayer / Splash News

Right around this time every winter, we develop a hatred for our warm wool coats and snuggly puffer jackets — and all we want is new bright spring coat! Mandy Moore looked perfectly springy in her vibrant yellow Coach trench as she breezed into the tents at Fashion Week. So with a wistful eye towards warmer weather, here are a few of our favorite affordable spring trenches.

Isaac Mizrahi for Target Classic Trenchlette in Sun Flash, $50 at target.com

Maria Trench, $55 at delias.com

Belted Short Trench Coat, $118 at talbots.com

Charter Club Red Poppy Trench Coat with Belt, $149 at macys.com

DKNY Belted Metallic Satin Trench Coat, $168 at nordstrom.com

courtesy membersonlystyle.com

The iconic ’80s Members Only jacket is back, along with a Hollywood following that includes Lindsay Lohan, Eva Longoria and Jennifer Hudson. While the company has kept the original kitchy tag line, “When you put it on, something happens,” they’ve brought in designer and former stylist Kelli Delaney to update the look with a new fashion-forward twist. The elastic waist, epaulet-trimmed jackets — originally in nylon — are now offered in luxe silk and leather. Cameron Diaz owns the classic bomber, $995, in glitzy gold, while Mary-Kate Olsen and Mischa Barton went for timeless black. And jackets aren’t the only thing on offer anymore. The collection has been expanded to include dresses, vests, and trenches. Wishing for a price tag that’s equally retro? Get a similar look for less with this lamé windbreaker, $58 from American Apparel.

ABB/RRAB/ZOB/ZDS/WENN

Gwen Stefani usually has pretty luxe taste — from her Galliano gowns to Lanvin dresses to pieces from her own L.A.M.B. collection, it’s all usually a little out of our price range. So we were more than thrilled to spot her in this trendy houndstooth coat from Express! The sharp and trendy coat is $198 and is available in stores only. Click here to find a location nearest you, or snag this look-a-like for only $65 at nyandcompany.com.

INF; Michael Swarbrick/INF(2)

From Blake Lively’s Coach boots, to Leighton Meester’s designer dress, Gossip Girl has inspired our fashion choices a lot lately. And now that we’re in the market for a new winter coat, our fave show is providing inspiration again with an abundance of cute outerwear. We’ve got the girls’ looks for real — and for a steal!

Blake rocked Ever’s Los Feliz leather hoodie jacket, $715. Unfortunately, you can only get it in black, as the red was created especially for the show. Or get the look for less with this Lux Stay Golden Bomber, $128.

Taylor Momsen recently wore Lauren Moffatt’s Hooded Toggle Jacket, $541, pairing it with purple tights to really make it pop. If you like Taylor’s toggle coat, try this Esprit Toggle Coat, $142.

Leighton went more mod in Tory Burch’s Mercedes Trench, on sale now for $798 down from $1995. The patent navy blue is the perfect contrast to her red accent pieces. Try this Michael Michael Kors Patent Trench Coat, $199, for a gentler price.

Ramey

Katherine Heigl has a great easy street style — we can always imagine ourselves wearing her outfits (and wanting to!). The 27 Dresses star headed out for a birthday dinner in L.A. in a fun, ruffled-plaid coat paired simply with jeans tucked into tan suede boots. We love how the plaid coat takes care of the whole outfit — and keeps you warm at the same time! We found Katherine’s actual Juicy Couture jacket for you and the look for a whole lot less.

Get It for Real!
Katherine’s Plaid Juicy Couture Coat, $498 at bloomingdales.com

Get It for a Steal!
Emily Coat, $40 at delias.com

ROXY Hide And Seek Womens Trench Coat, $69 at tillys.com

Sherlock Double-Breasted Plaid Coat, $89 at forever21.com

Oxford Plaid Baby Doll Coat, $130 at anntaylorloft.com

AE Classic Plaid Pea Coat, $130 at ae.com

American Rag Double-Breasted Plaid Coat, $139 at macys.com

Amy Sussman/Getty; Humberto Carreno/Startraks

We don’t typically associate Kate Moss and Jessica Simpson’s style, but on a chilly night in New York last week, the two stars had the same style on the brain — a classic black tuxedo jacket. Kate wore her own TopShop design to the 7th on Sale gala, while Jessica hit the town in jeans and boots with her satin-lapeled style. We love how these two fashionistas show how versatile this iconic piece is. . .and now we have to have one of our own! Check out our picks on how to get the look for real and for a major steal!

Get the Look!
Get Kate’s TopShop jacket £80 ($164) at topshop.com

City Style Tuxedo Jacket, $70 at nyandcompany.com

Tuxedo jacket, $108 at victoriassecret.com

Tuxedo-style jacket, $198 at talbots.com

Sutton Studio Exclusive One Button Tuxedo Jacket, $229 at bloomingdales.com

Jun Sato/WireImage

Please tell us where Penelope Cruz got that gorgeous blue and white plaid jacket! It’s amazing!–Giselle Stephenson

Penelope Cruz and look-a-like sister, Monica, landed in style to Japan. Penelope kept warm during the long flight in a Chanel blue and white plaid toggle coat, which we’ve spotted her in for a year! That said, Penelope’s coat is no longer available, but we have rounded up some similar hooded coats for so much less. Be sure to click here for more of your favorite stars showing off fall’s most fabulous coats.

Get a hooded coat like Penelope!
Optic Dot hooded black and white tweed coat, on sale $150 from $298, anthropologie.com

America Eagle charcoal or navy hooded toggle coat, $140, ae.com

Hayley red plaid toggle coat, $71, delias.com

Roxy ‘Sweet Peas’ babydoll hooded jacket, $64, nordstrom.com

LDP IMAGES; James Devaney/WireImage

Jessica Simpson is keeping a hectic travel schedule these days — from New York to Nashville to Toronto — and she’s keeping bundled up in style! Forget a basic black peacoat, the singer is spicing up her casual outfits with patterned coats. We love that a great leopard print or jacquard is all you need to toss on over jeans — and you’re instantly chic! We tracked down coats like Jessica’s for you, all for under $200.

Get a Leopard Print Coat!
Style&co. Belted Leopard-Print Coat, $69 at macys.com

INC Belted Leopard-Print Trench Coat, $97 at macys.com

Impermeable by Weatherproof Three Quarter Length Faux Leopard Coat, $178 at nordstrom.com

Via Spiga Leopard Print Raincoat, $200 at bloomingdales.com

Get a Jacquard Coat!
Fitted Jacquard Jacket, $49 at newportnews.com

Portrait-collar Jacquard Coat, $79 at newportnews.com

Circle Pattern Wool Coat, $105 at ardenb.com

Newsroom Coat, $168 at freepeople.com

Time Inc. Digital Studio

Step aside, Michelin Man! This season, puffy coats slim down and spiff up with trimmings and fabrics that will keep you warm and stylish. The editors at Instyle.com have found the best jackets — from short styles with details that add shape (seams, belts, ruching) to medium parkas with belts, pockets or chevron seams to nip you in where you need it to long coats with a nicely defined waistline. Check out their editor picks, and you may find yourself welcoming bad weather. Click here to check out their selection.

Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic

Angelina Jolie showed she knows a thing or two about keeping warm and elegant in the crisp fall weather at her Beowulf premiere. The gorgeous mom walked the red carpet with Brad Pitt in tow, wearing a cool-weather classic, a camel hair coat. And while an investment piece like Angelina’s Escada version can set you back a few too many paychecks, we’ve rounded up the same chic look for less.

Get the same clean lines as Angelina’s, $159 at redoute.com

Kenneth Cole Reaction military tab coat for just $168 — 40% off its retail price — at bluefly.com

Keep warm in this Larry Levine walking coat, $228 at nordstrom.com

In the mood to splurge? Try this topper in genuine camel hair, $410 at bloomingdales.com

Pacific Coast News

Patent is one of fall’s hottest trends — from shoes to purses to jackets, it’s the perfect finishing touch for your fall wardrobe. We loved Renee Zellweger’s sharp gray patent trench coat so much that we had to find the look for less for you! Here are a few of our favorites to get you started. Tell us: Would you wear a patent jacket?

Bailey 44 Double Breasted Patent Trench Coat, $95 at nordstrom.com

MICHAEL Michael Kors Patent Trench Coat, $199 at nordstrom.com

Patent Leather Trench Coat, $229 at bebe.com

Sara Berman Patent Trench, $250 at urbanoutfitters.com

Bauer-Griffin; Rebecca Sapp/WireImage

Leather jackets are shaping up to be one of fall’s biggest trends, but with such a splurge item, you want to make sure you’re getting the most for your money. We love the way that Kate Walsh takes her Chloe leather jacket and wears it so perfectly — day or night! Follow Kate’s lead and pair your jacket with a simple white t-shirt and dark jeans for day time. And at night, leave your wrap at home and add a dash of tough chic to your cocktail dress with the jacket, like Kate did with her Dolce & Gabbana sheath. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite leather jackets to get you started! Tell us: Will you get a leather jacket for fall? Would you try one over an evening dress?

Get the Look for Less!
Faux Leather “Maggie” Jacket, $33 at forever21.com

Leather Moto Jacket, $98 at ardenb.com

Zip Front Cycle Jacket, $99 at wilsonsleather.com

3 Pocket Zip Up Leather Jacket, $198 at gap.com

Dara Kushner/INF(2)

The September issue of StyleWatch reveals how to achieve this fall’s fierce-but-ladylike look with the “in” piece of the season — a short leather jacket! It’s the perfect way of mixing uptown chic with downtown edge. Claire Danes is spot-on with her unlikely combo — a Prada chocolate bomber adds just the right dose of tough-girl attitude to her sweet dress and feminine heels. Want an easy way to add a twist — and a touch of rugged toughness — to a white tee and jeans? Try a cropped version like Katherine McPhee’s YaYa Aflalo jacket. Try a few of our favorites:

a.n.a. Leather peplum jacket, $100 at jcpenney.com

Luxe leather jacket, $90 at metrostyle.com

Banana Republic trenchlet, $328 at banarepublic.com

Gap Product Red white leather jacket, $150 at gap.com

Also check out Wilsons Leather at wilsonsleather.com — it’s a place to find a variety of great, affordable options!

O’Neill/White/INF

We’re suckers for a great coat — and we think Claire Danes’s printed Stella McCartney peach coat is a total winner! Why not spice up basic jeans and a t-shirt with a printed jacket when it rains or an evening chill hits? We’ve rounded up a few of our favorites from some real steals to some major splurges:

Safari coat, $38 at forever21.com

Diane von Furstenberg ‘Martha’ Coat, $157 from $525, at nordstrom.com

Elevenses Changing Colors Swing Coat, $188 at anthropologie.com

Linen And Silk Jacquard Coat, $249 from $498, at brooksbrothers.com

Milly “Berries” brocade coat, $650 at net-a-porter.com