This time of year can be a tricky for fashionistas living in parts of the world with very pronounced seasons. It's the transitional point between winter and spring when it looks pleasant outside, but once you leave home you realize how absolutely freezing it still is. With so many spring and summer looks already flooding the market, it's hard to reach for that solemn black wool coat when you're excited about wearing the new season's bright colors. So borrow a page from
Carla Bruni-Sarkozy's fashion playbook and invest in a bracelet sleeve coat in a feminine floral color.

The former model was with her husband, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, on a trip to visit with Britain's Prime Minister when she donned this vibrant purple coat
(which still looks a bit too warm for our needs). We love this carnation-colored
coat by Tahari as it provides just the right amount of protection from the elements without looking wintery.
Belted Cotton Topper, $178 at
nordstrom.com
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