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As the cold winds drift from the north one finds the warmth of a new winter coat a welcome retreat. There are many coat options to help you brace yourself against the elements, but please avoid wearing your ski parka to the office or out on the town. You’ll be better served by a traditional coat that ends midway between your thigh and knee. If you knew how to pick a winter coat, you’d know the difference between a jacket and a coat: a jacket rests at your hips and does little to keep you truly warm and can’t be worn over a thick sweater or blazer, and a coat is made of a thicker, natural fabric and is a must to keep you warm.
So, to keep you toasty when the temperatures turn frigid, follow our tips on how to pick a winter coat.
Fabric
The first thing in knowing how to pick a winter coat is understanding fabric. The best fabrics to keep you warm are wool and cashmere. Cashmere is far warmer, but the high cost and short durability of the fabric often make it moot against the strength of wool in snowy conditions. If you need a really warm coat, opt for one that also has a thin layer of Thinsulate or goose down sewn into the typical lining. This will give you an extra layer, but in most cases a wool or cashmere coat needs only the acetate lining for a comfortable fit over your clothes; the outer fabric itself does all the work.
Men's Wardrobe Essentials
- A suit (navy or gray) - Even if you only need a suit a couple of times a year, you're glad to have it on hand when those occasions arise. Navy or gray suits are classic and neutral and can be dressed up or down. You can even wear the blazer with khakis or jeans. This is an item worth spending some money on.
- Black shoes and belt - These can be worn with khakis, jeans and your suit. This is an essential combo. Before buying brown, get black. I think you will find you get more mileage out of them, especially when attending more formal or evening functions.
- White dress shirt (good for day and night occasions) - White dress shirts look good on just about everybody. They look sharp and are versatile but should not to be worn as a casual shirt.
- Solid tie - Solid ties are easy and versatile. If solid isn't your thing, try a classic diagonal stripe. Having several tie patterns on hand will ensure you are prepared for interviews, weddings and evening events.
- Blue blazer - A blue blazer is good for all year round and easily coordinates with khakis and other items. If that bores you, try a tweed sport coat but also keep in mind that tweed is really only useful in fall and winter. Either way a blazer or tweed sport coat holds a look together.
- Khakis and jeans - No explanation necessary here. Jeans are a staple of the American wardrobe. Khakis are the same.
- Overcoat - An overcoat doesn't necessarily mean a long coat. It also means 3/4-length or car coat length. This item really finishes an outfit and can be worn with everything including jeans. And everyone needs a coat in winter, right? Well, maybe not if you live in places like Phoenix or San Diego.
- Briefcase - A briefcase does not necessarily mean a hard case. It can be soft, or messenger bag style. In a man is has to carry files and other documents, this is an essential.
- Athletic wear - Even for non-athletic types, athletic wear is great for those lazy Sundays and dashes to the convenience store at wee hours of the morning.
- Casual shirt - A casual shirt such as a polo or button down is a must have to wear with jeans or other casual pants.
- Deconstructed suit - A deconstructed suit is great because it has a relaxed look but is pulled together. Also, the pants and blazer can be worn separately)
Fit
Choosing the right fit is essential in knowing how to pick a winter coat. To find the right fit, simply go up one size over your typical suit jacket size; this allows you to move easily without the layers binding at your shoulders and neck. The shoulder seams themselves should fall just over the edge of your natural shoulder. This will give you a better profile line while wearing a sport coat or suit. And it is acceptable to forego a traditional topcoat and wear a coat over a suit for daily wear, but after 6 p.m. is another story. When in doubt, go shopping while wearing a blazer or thick sweater. Not all coats follow the same measurement dimensions, so this will give you a better idea of fit and comfort. But don’t just slip the coat on: find a chair and sit down while wearing the coat; raise your arms; bend down and tie your shoe. You’ll be sporting this new coat in a variety of situations and you need to give it a real test drive before buying it.
Style
The most fashionable options come in a variety of styles and prices.
Cashmere Elements Chevron Jacket
A modern take on a military-inspired design, the charcoal and gray colors allow you to pair this coat with either black, brown or navy clothing. Under a suit it takes on a formal appearance, but can be easily worn with jeans or corduroy trousers for weekend jaunts
Fashion Advice
What Guys Really Want
Of course, for some men, a pant that’s easy to wear is even better if it’s “easy care.” Cotton Incorporated’s research shows performance chinos are hands down favorites among men, especially those aged 35 to 55, who prefer wrinkle-resistant slacks to regular cotton slacks 67% to 24%. Furthermore, the research finds that men aged 35 to 55 showed the biggest percentage increase (from 26% to 34%) in a preference for casual pants. Among men aged 16 to 24, the preference grew from 25% to 29%. The updated khaki pant will likely appeal to men of all ages, so make sure to check them out.
A man who knows how to wear color well can really turn some heads. According to Kim Johnson Gross, co-founder of Chic Simple Ltd, men shouldn't be afraid of color but should embrace it. They should experiment even if it's just with shirt colors. Kim and I discussed this topic and we came up with several tips men need to know about wearing color.
- Especially wear color in summer
Summer is such a festive time of year. Light and bright colors are de rigeur. So I advise you to choose a color that is your signature color for the season and one that enhances your natural skin and hair tone.
- Stay away from beige colored shirts
Beige is a bad color for shirts or any article that is around the face. It is rarely a good color for someone. I don't know why designers continue to push this color on us. Just don't secumb to the pressure.
- French blue is always a good choice
French blue, which is a rich medium blue, is a flattering color for most skin tones. It makes a great dress shirt, which is mainly where you will find this sumptuous hue.
- Stay away from bright, solid-colored socks
Colorful socks are okay if they have a design like stripes or argyle. But bright, solid-colored socks are simply not a good idea. Donny Osmond is suddenly coming to mind.
- Keep color around the face
Again, it is important to keep flattering colors that enhance skin and eye color around the face. You don't want to look like you just got out of the hospital, do you?
- Stay away from loud patterns
They are distracting and ultimately not a good thing. If it was ever in, it was the eighties, but we've thankfully moved on.
- Take a look around you
If you are baffled about how to incorporate more color into your wardrobe, take a look around you. Look at ads and store displays. For example, Ralph Lauren really uses a lot of color in his collections. He styles his clothes well—gives classics a twist by using color. Also, Brooks Brothers has more recently had great options with color. If you are traveling abroad, see how the locals use color. Italians are probably the best at wearing color--you would be hard pressed to see people there wearing dark, drab colors.
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