This has been the weirdest fall ever.

The weather is so strange, it’s enough to give me the chills. Except, it’s not really cold. I mean, I still have peppers in my garden. Not that I’m complaining. I hate freezing weather. And yet, I find myself strangely drawn to all things coatlike this time of year.

For instance, during a recent foray to Marshalls, I ended up buying a faux leopard fur capelet. Do I need this? Um, does anyone really need a leopard capelet? No. And yet, I had to have it. The $29.99 price tag didn’t hurt, either. I was still on the fence about returning it when I tried it on in the office. All of the oohs and aahs sealed the deal. Clearly, this is a warming trend everyone can appreciate.

And speaking of trends, I had a $30 coupon burning a hole in my pocket last week at New York & Co. By the way, if you haven’t signed up for the store’s online coupons, you’re seriously missing out. When I realized I could get a sleek black vest and a tailored quilted barn jacket for $50 (with the coupon discount), I got a warm, fuzzy feeling.

That feeling continued when I went to The Grasshopper Shop in Bangor, where another quilted coat by Mifresia caught my eye. This time, it was reversible silk, in rust orange and mossy brown, and it was fabulous. And at $105 for what essentially is two jackets, it was a heck of a deal.

Then, like a trout spotting something shiny, I was distracted by a fur-trimmed chocolate-hued knitted cape by Echo ($81). It was chic in a “little brown riding hood” sort of way. But since I already had bought one trendy cape, I figured a second would be overkill.

Still, overkill is what I do best. (What else would you expect from a woman who incorporates faux leopard into her day-to-day wardrobe?) Thus, it’s no surprise that I couldn’t tear myself away from the boiled wool jackets by Tribal ($91). No matter that I already have two boiled wool jackets (one trimmed in fur, no less). No matter that pea green isn’t really my color. With the possible exception of “Ulysses,” I love the classics. What can I say?

Well, not much if I’m at Marden’s. The selection of coats – most under $40 – was enough to leave me speechless. Cute cream-colored wool car coats (in Bangor). Sassy faux Persian lamb (in Ellsworth). Enough said.

And yet, I’m not done talking. Or writing, as the case may be. You see, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the rich, jewel-toned corduroy jackets at Talbots ($88) or the adorable cropped black and white plaid jacket from Gap ($88).

Of course, what with the weather and all, I might not need any of these until January. But these coats are so cute I’m tempted to buy them all now.

On second thought, maybe I’ll wait for a few of them to go on sale. The weather may be acting strange, but it’s not enough to make me go out and pay full price.

That would just be weird.

ShopNotes

. This is a big weekend for crafts fairs, and the organizers of the Designing Women show and sale want to alert ShopGirl readers that their fair, which will take place Saturday, has moved to the Dyke Center for Family Business on the Husson College campus in Bangor. The show formerly was held at the recently closed Holiday Inn on Main Street in Bangor. For information, visit www.designingwomen.org.

. The L.L. Bean Outlet is now open in the Bangor Parkade plaza on Stillwater Avenue. The store’s grand opening this weekend will feature giveaways and prizes including L.L. Bean gift cards and a chance to win an Old Town canoe, as well as demonstrations from the company’s Outdoor Discovery school.