Autumn and Winter Clothes

Jackie Purcell just said it's too warm for snow, the grass in my lawn is a yellow-green combo that doesn't look good on anyone, and is it wise to admit that I've only just considered changing the tires on my car?

Baby, it's not quite cold outside, and yet I still say it's time to check out the coats we should be gearing up in before the snow sticks.

Me? I'm hooked on the purple wool Tulle coat I bought on a lark last season. It was the last one on the rack and happened to be my size. Turns out it was a good investment. The coat nips in at the waist, has just a few strategic accents, such as the oversized buttons and belted cuffs, and the color has me collecting compliments every time I turn around.

You can't beat finding a coat that looks as if it was made for you. So I trekked around town last week in search of outer layers that can help you warm up in style this winter.

Out of the Closet (720 D St., 277-6119) is the place to go for a huge selection of coats on consignment. The store's "You're getting warmer" section is practically overstuffed with fur, wool, cashmere and down. Here's a range of choices owner Ellen Arvold helped me pull off the rack:

• A classic-looking steel-blue long wool coat from the Gap ($65) in extra large is a budget-conscious piece.

• The Banana Republic camel-colored wool-cashmere blend coat that is knee-length and fitted at the waist ($80) in small is a steal.

• The size 4 Pierrette black cashmere knee-length wrap coat with a belt from Saks Fifth Avenue ($125) is uber feminine.

• An ankle-length down Anne Klein parka with a raccoon collar ($185) in extra large. Arvold called this the "true Alaskan coat," and she's right -- it could easily moonlight as a sleeping bag.

• If you want a brand fix, check out the Burberry pea coat with a black rubbery shell and wool lining in classic Burberry plaid ($350) in size 6.

Across the room, the vintage rack also has a few cold-climate gems. I was fond of the tan cashmere coat with the wide mink collar and the charcoal wool "Little Women" coat that looks as if it's straight out of the 1800s.

If you're interested in donning a fur this season, consider the huge selection of recycled fur at Out of the Closet. You'll feel better knowing you rescued a gorgeous coat and didn't pay full price.

After my trip to Out of the Closet, I popped over to Boutique Blush (720 D St., Suite C, 677-8967), where I found a few Tulle selections -- the wool Ruffle-Hem Trench ($115) with an angular collar and belt comes in cream and black, and the wool Long Wool '50s Coat is totally Audrey Hepburn. Both these styles are unique and, speaking from experience, Tulle knows how to cut a coat for a gal's figure.

Of course, when tracking coats across town a stop at Burlington Coat Factory (1920 W. Dimond Blvd., 349-9957) is warranted, even though it can be a bit overwhelming. After sifting through those racks, my two picks are the JLo black wool military style jacket ($130) and the authentic pea coat, quilted lining, anchor buttons and all ($130). But there are tons of options at the factory, so if you go, just take your time.

Old Navy (Dimond Center, 349-9592) is all about the outerwear accent that is a sweeping trend this season -- the toggle. Even better, Old Navy has a 40 percent off outerwear sale going on until Thursday. There's the long toggle coat with hood ($59 on sale) and a short double-breasted toggle coat ($47).

Here are a few other spots to consider: The Costco on DeBarr (4125 DeBarr Road, 269-9540) has a Weatherproof down knee-length parka with faux-fur lined hood ($50). Costco carries these coats each season. I bought one three years ago and still wear it when the weather turns too cold for wool. Torrid (Dimond Center, 349-1661) has a plus-size collection of cute plaid trenches, funnel-neck style coats in houndstooth prints and bold solids and traditional pea coats too ($85-$108). And, believe it or not, I was impressed with Bebe's (5th Avenue mall, 274-2323) wool belted, faux-fur collared coats ($260).

Later this month, The Galleria will become the home of one the fastest growing clothing stores in the country.

Steve & Barry's, an apparel chain that boasts no item that costs more than $20, will open its 11th store in the state in mid-November, Colleen McCarthy, an associate director of public relations for the Long Island, N.Y., company said Friday.

"We're just waiting on a final update before we announce the official opening," she said.

The company, which was started in 1985, will have opened more than 290 stores by early 2008, McCarthy said. She credits the success of such an aggressive expansion to a combination of high quality, fashionable items with a rock-bottom price.

It also doesn't hurt that big-name celebrities like actresses Sarah Jessica Parker, Amanda Bynes and NBA stars Stephon Marbury and Ben Wallace have clothing lines with the company, she said.

As a matter-of-fact, tennis star Venus Williams will release her new line, EleVen, through the chain on Nov. 15, McCarthy said.

Childhood friends Steve Shore and Barry Prevor opened their first store selling discount official license college apparel near the University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia, she said.

"They looked at how expensive licensed wear was and said there has to be a way to sell this cheaper," she said.

During the next decade they expanded their college license clothing lines, initially marketed to a young male demographic, to include pop culture designs, comic-book, sports and other brand signatures, she said.

In 1998, they opened their first mall store in Detroit, Mich., she said.

By 2000, women's and children's clothes were added, she said.

"Now it's a store with clothes for the whole family," she said.

Anissa Lyttle and Debbie Watkins sort clothes at the News Clothes for Kids office in Kingsport.

With the weather turning colder, many kids in need can't wait for the holidays to receive a new coat or warm sweater.

"We still had kids wearing flip-flops two weeks ago. We're even getting requests from kids who need pajamas because it's cold at night. Kids who aren't sleeping well and who aren't warm can't concentrate in school."

NCFK recently completed its annual back-to-school campaign — providing school clothing and supplies to nearly 400 students.

Now, however, they're beginning the "Cold Weather Clothing Campaign" for 2007 and are in need of help to provide cold weather clothing for those students who may not have the proper winter attire.

Lyttle stresses that this is not a holiday campaign, but simply an effort to make sure children are warm and properly dressed throughout the entire winter.

"Kids can't wait for Christmas to get a sweatshirt," Lyttle said. "The goal is just to make sure they're comfortable and able to be at school, participate in things and to go and play outside in their jackets."

Since NCFK takes applications for clothing through schools, the organization has very specific requests to fill. Currently, the main area of need is monetary donations, which will be used to purchase requested clothing items for students. Community members may also "adopt" a specific child and either provide sponsorship dollars or purchase items for him or her. Lyttle said it takes approximately $60 to provide for a child's winter needs.

"Most of the needs, and what we need money for, are the teenagers — the kids that are 11, 12 and up into high school who wear adult clothing," Lyttle said. "That's mainly who needs sponsors — the older kids, middle and high school."

Those wishing to assist by donating new clothing or by organizing a clothing drive may also do so. Lyttle said NCFK has plenty of hats and gloves but is always in need to socks and underwear of all sizes.

Items purchased and collected for the winter drive will be handed out directly to kids through their schools, hopefully, as soon as next week, Lyttle said.

Monetary donations can be sent to: NCFK, P.O. Box 215, Kingsport, Tenn. 37662. For more information call 360-4065.