My daughter has the sugar plum coat which has a similar fabric weight as Samantha's coat. She wears it whenever she can. To church or shopping or out to eat. It's not the kind of coat you'd wear playing in the snow, but it's warm enough to make it from the car to the door. She puts layers underneath as needed on the really cold days. It's great that it's long because it really helps keep her legs warm if she's wearing a skirt.
I think if you get a coat like this, then you should use it all you can. It's worn at least once a week which is more than I can say for most of her dresses.

Just my opinion....

-Michele