For years, and I mean more than 20 years, I have always thought one item of clothing was "girly."

I know, I know - that is wildly sexist. Especially because it's not girly at all.

I am not proud to admit that I had a preconceived notion about this article of clothing for the major of my life - that was until I got this item myself.

Well, I did not buy it. I never, ever, would have purchased this for myself in a million years.

So how did I get one? My wife - obviously. But now that I have one, I wear it every single day in the winter. And now, as a supporter, I am here to tell all the men of New England that they need one too.

I have seen my wife, mother, sister, and pretty much every female in New England rock a winter parka.

Specifically, the winter parka with two key features: a "fur" hood and a length past the knees.

Both the hood fur and the jacket length made it "girly" in my mind.

Are parkas only for women?

Absolutely not. Let me be the first to tell you, they ROCK.

I am no longer cold in the winter. I am no longer miserable while walking downtown Portsmouth, NH in the winter. In fact, I can walk around downtown for hours in the winter now that I have a parka.

It certainly took some time to get used to the fur in my peripheral and the fact that a jacket was restricting my man spread; however, I'm over it.

I will NEVER not wear my winter, fur, extra long, parka in anything below 30-degree weather.

Ladies  - get your man one.

Men - wear it. Give it a go. You'll never go back. And since while you're warm...

You can go walk about the 8 of the Coziest New England Towns to Visit This Winter, below: