Shoppers know that once the Christmas decorations come down, so do stores' prices, making it an especially good time to invest in a new winter coat. A quality winter coat is an investment that will likely set you back hundreds of dollars, so the 20- to 50-percent post-holiday markdowns will help ease the pain of buying an investment piece. "I think people are starting to make investments, and outerwear is an investment," says Jeff Pfeifle, president of retailer J. Crew. What to buy• There are a lot of choices this year, especially for those who like a bright silhouette to battle the winter blues. Crisp, luxe winter whites and wool coats in bright red, green, yellow and orange are more widely available than they've been in years. From the formal coats to sporty outdoor gear, color enthusiasts have a lot to choose from. "In men's and women's, they're totally responding to the color," Pfeifle says. Vintage shop lovers have a great opportunity this season to be in fashion. With cuts inspired by every decade since the 1920s showing up on major retailers' racks, you're likely to find a vintage coat that will work perfectly with the modern fashions. Best bets are shawl collars from the 1930s; country club-ready camel coats and tweeds from the 1950s; boxy, mod shapes from the 1960s; and belted cashmere wraps from the 1970s. Faux fur and fur fans also have reasons to cheer this year. Fuzzy accents adorn endless sweaters, hoods, cuffs, scarves, hats and collars. The "chubby" -- a fluffy short-waisted jacket -- is one of the trendiest items of the season. With the current '50s influence on fashion bringing back conservative classics, timeless pieces are also widely available this year, such as men's camel hair coats and women's cashmere overcoats and preppy blazers. "We cannot get or sell enough blazers," Pfeifle says, adding that peacoats and military-inspired canvas outerwear are also popular this year. "People are wearing outerwear in a different ways, like a denim jacket that normally would be worn with jeans would be worn with a velvet skirt." As in the rest of the fashion world, the line between sporty and formal continues to blur in outerwear. Quilted nylon jackets with fur- or faux fur-lined hoods give hip-hop chic to any outfit, and thin thermal linings first used for skiers and winter outdoor enthusiasts are being used to line more formal coats. Relatively new fabrics and finishes have revitalized classic choices, with washable suede and washable faux shearling turning the formerly rain-averse fabrics into "outdoor" choices. "They're wearing sportier styles in a more luxe way and a more luxe style in a more casual way," Pfeifle says. "I totally think that that trend will continue, people will continue to mix it up." Helen Yarmak, the Russian mathematician-turned-fashion designer who staged her first American runway show this fall, has several pieces that embody this sporty-luxe aesthetic, like a sable coat that zips and unzips into 24 different configurations. It can be worn as a full-length coat or broken down into a jacket, a vest, a wrap, a hat or other pieces that would look at home with a funky club-hopping outfit. "I like to do elegant shapes but with a smile," Yarmak says. "If you buy sable, it's an investment. You want to get the most out of your money." - The Associated Press

People in the News

White Stripes lead singer charged with aggravated assault White Stripes lead singer Jack White was charged Monday with aggravated assault after a fight with the lead singer of another band. White went to a police precinct in Detroit early Sunday morning and gave a statement saying he struck Von Bondies lead singer Jason Stollsteimer in self defense. The Dec. 13 fight between White and Stollsteimer began shortly before midnight at Detroit's Majestic Theatre Center, where both men were in the audience for another concert. Stollsteimer, 25, told police that White had punched him seven times in the face. Police said Stollsteimer's right eye was bruised and swollen and he was bleeding from his nose. He was taken to Detroit Receiving Hospital, where he was treated and released. White, 28, faces anywhere from no jail time to a maximum of one year in prison if convicted. Wayne County Prosecutor Mike Duggan said Monday that the two had an ongoing disagreement that began after Stollsteimer criticized White's role in producing the Von Bondies' first album. White and Meg White , who make up the White Stripes, are nominated together for three Grammy Awards White also has a small role as a singer in the film "Cold Mountain," starring Nicole Kidman, Jude Law and Renee Zellweger , which opens Christmas Day. Crowe, wife welcome 'bouncing baby boy' Russell Crowe, star of "A Beautiful Mind," now is the father of a beautiful child. Crowe's wife, Danielle Spencer , gave birth to a baby boy, his publicist said Monday. Charles Spencer Crowe was born Sunday night, weighing 6 pounds 2 ounces, Crowe's Australian publicist, Wendy Day, told Australian Associated Press in Sydney. "He's a healthy, bouncing baby boy looking forward to Christmas," Day said. Crowe married Spencer, a 32-year-old singer, April 7 at his sprawling rural property of Nana Glen near the east Australian beach resort town of Coffs Harbour. The 39-year-old actor, who won an Oscar for "Gladiator," was nominated for a Golden Globe Award last week for "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World." 211-pound woman wins British 'Idol' contest A Scottish woman who'd been told she was too large to be a "Pop Idol" was crowned the winner of the British talent show. Michelle McManus , who weighs 211 pounds, fought off criticism from judges on the show and gibes in some of the tabloid newspapers to win the majority of votes from viewers on the final night of competition Saturday. "I just want to say thanks and to everyone who said I couldn't do it, I've done it," the tearful 23-year-old said after being named the winner. McManus became a late favorite after receiving criticism for her looks. The British Press Association reported that one of the three judges, music producer Pete Waterman , stormed off the London set after the final vote was announced. Waterman had argued previously against letting McManus proceed to the public vote section of the competition because of her size. His exit from the studio was not shown to television viewers. Earlier in the final program, fellow judge Simon Cowell had praise for McManus. "If you weren't in the final it would be quite boring," Cowell said before the vote was announced. "You have broken the norm and made it interesting. I'm interested, I'm very proud." A record 10.26 million people voted for the winner. Organizers didn't immediately provide a breakdown for the vote between McManus and runner-up Mark Rhodes . - The Associated Press

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