The Holidays are over. Credit card bills from all the shopping are about to start rolling in. And it’s bitter cold. Crappy time of year, right? WRONG. If you’re into style, then the dead of winter is one the best spans on the calendar. Inconceivable? Here are ten pieces of proof, all supremely usable now, but not so easy to wear when it warms up. Specific product suggestions are scattered about.
#1. Topcoats
Like a suit jacket, sportcoat, or blazer, a well cut topcoat does a lot of good things for a guy’s look. It makes him look stronger and slimmer, all while making even the most casual of outfits look sharp, and elevating more dressed-up outfits to another level. Look for something that hits above the knee, which gives you that rule-of-3rds look. Need suggestions? See our annual outerwear round up here. Many might be sold out, but since it’s clearance time, you might be able to upgrade for a steal.
#2. Flannel Suits and Trousers
- Suitsupply Light Grey Havana Wool Suit – $499
- Lands’ End Tailored Fit Flannel Trousers – $59.99 w/ FAVORITE + 9400 ($99)
- JCF Windowpane Flannel Trousers – $79.99
- Haberdash Charcoal Barberis Flannel Suit – $349 FINAL($698)
During what other season can you wear your favorite pajamas to the office and/or the (nice) bar? That’s what a flannel suit can amount to in terms of comfort and toasty-ness. Look for flannels that are more felt feeling and less scratchy. Density is good, but you also want the fabric to be flexible instead of stiff.
#3. Scarves
- J. Crew Factory Wool Blend Fair Isle Scarf – $10.99 w/ BINGO (seen above)
- Nordstrom Blackwatch Plaid Scarf – $24.75 ($49.50)
- Banana Republic Waffle Knit Extra Fine Merino Scarf – $25.19 ($49.50)
Protect ya neck. Scarves can be a great way to up the color quotient in what’s usually an otherwise drab winter wardrobe. OR… you can double down and go with something monochrome. Look for all wool, blends that are mainly wool, or if you’re looking to treat yo self, cashmere.
#4. Gloves
- Portolano Shearling Gloves – $50 – $80ish (tough to find the brown at post time)
- Ralph Lauren Deerskin Gloves – $59.99 ($135)
- Nordstrom drivers (for those in warmer climates) – $34.75 ($69.50)
Like shoes, but for your hands. Protective, functional, and can be pretty cool looking. Keep the ski gloves for the hill, and opt for a slimmer pair for when dressed up, and something highly insulated (like shearling) for when it’s friggin’ cold.
#5. Boots of all kinds. Sleek or Rugged.
- Banana Republic Ty Chelsea – $178 (but often on sale)
- JCP Gunner (shown at top of post) or Deacon – $60ish (when on sale w/ codes)
- To Boot New York Brentwood Wingtip Boot – $197.49 ($395)
- Chippewa 6″ Service Boot – $200 – $260 (depending on sales)
It’s tough to wear a boots, even if they’re a pair of casual chukkas, when it’s 85 degrees outside. What is it about that extra ankle protection and the sturdier sole? Maybe you played hockey. Maybe you just like how boots aren’t quite as “corporate” as a pair of basic dress shoes. Whatever it is, boots work. And winter is the season when they, both sharp dressier boots and clunkier sh*t kickers get the most use.
Shown above, clockwise from top left: Allen Edmonds Bleecker Street (discontinued), Land’s End Canvas Crosby Boot (also discontinued, remember those?), Woolrich Yankee – $300ish
#6. Corduroy
- J. Crew Ludlow Fit Corduroy Sportcoat – $198.00
- Bonobos Made in the USA French Corders – $54.60 FINAL w/ FEELGOOD ($128)
- GAP Cord Blazer – $48.99 w/ BONUS ($89.99)
- GAP “Black Fill” Straight Fit Cords – $29.39 w/ BONUS ($59.95)
- Stafford Signature Corduory Sportcoat – $59.99
The texture and softness is perfect for this time of year. A quick note on corduroy… you can wear corduroy pants. You can wear a corduroy blazer. You can wear a corduroy suit. But wearing non-matching corduory (say, a sportcoat & pants, or pants and a shirt) is like doing denim on denim. Only worse.
#7. Velvet Blazers
- J. Crew Blue Velvet Shawl Collar Sportcoat – $159.99 w/ MUSTSHOP ($328)
- H&M Velvet Jacket – $39.99 ($69.99)
- Tommy Hilfiger Peak Lapel Velvet Sportcoat – $156.99
- Suitsupply Velvet Jacket – $399
Yes, velvet takes some onions to pull off. Especially now that we’re past all the holiday parties that a velvet jacket looks most at home at. But why not throw a “no reason is as good a reason as any” party and dress to the nines for it? Velvet notch lapel sportcoats also do well with dark wash jeans for a night out, but keep the rest of your outfit dead simple.
#8. Chunky Sweaters
- Old Navy Chunky Shawl Collar Cardigan – $29.99 ($59.94)
- J. Crew Factory Shawl Collar Pullover – $49.99
- Banana Republic Extra Fine Merino Buffalo Check – $62.99 ($140)
- J. Crew Italian Wool Shawl Collar Cardigan – $41.99 FINAL w/ MUSTSHOP ($128)
Usually a cardigan with a shawl neck, but that isn’t always the case. Plenty of us have a favorite one of these we wear all the time. These are the sweaters you WANT to wear before turning up the thermostat. Rugged, maybe a little scratchy, and they look smart and masculine. More grown-up than a hooded sweatshirt, but still casual.
#9. Scotch/Whiskey… neat
A cold weather companion that warms you up and can help settle you into a book or a movie on a quiet Friday/Saturday night. There’s something about the coldest months that makes spending a night at home, enjoying your own surroundings, feel like anything but a “waste.” Head here for a list of flavorful whiskeys/whiskys that check in at $50 or less. About the Scotch shown above: It’s noticeably less sweet than their Caribbean Cask but still much more accessible than a peaty, smokey Scotch. Sneaky drinkable with only a touch of spice at the finish. Light nose. And honestly, a bit lighter in taste. Velvet herbal & maple base.
#10. Women in Turtlenecks, Tweed, and/or Riding boots
Because… Damn. (Boots by Lands’ End, in case Mrs. Dappered is reading this…)