What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetnessJohn Steinback
Along with a truck load of celebrations and festivities, winters also bring a sense of relief from the scorching hot summers. No matter where in the world you reside, you would be experiencing some colder months during the year. The cold weather is an apt time not just to enjoy warm delicacies and soft plush blankets but also to showcase some classic men’s styles. In our opinion, winter is the best time of the year for men’s style and especially if you are a fan of classic and gentlemanly wardrobe. The opportunity to layer, wear darker and jewel tones, experimenting with different textures and patterns helps us redefine our flair and elegance. You can wear timeless and elegant pieces, pair them with some current trends and put together a poised and noticeable look. It is also the best time to wear statement making outwear, whether it is rebellious leather jacket or a distinguished long over coat. However, with a lot of options comes along a lot of confusion and we think if you cover your essentials, you can never go wrong with the rest of your ensemble. To make it even easier for your, we have compiled a list of classic winter essentials for men, which can not just keep you warm but also make you stand out of your peers.
A Classic Hat
Though rare in today’s time, a hat was a must. No man used to step out without covering his head. Wearing a hat has myriads of benefits. It protects your hair from dust and debris, add a flair to your outfit and keeps you warm. If you experience harsh winters, you should certainly add a hat to your wardrobe. Hats may be a rarity, but we still have some amazing options that are affordable and easily available. A fedora or trilby can be a courageous choice for most men today, but they were really very popular among men in the old times.
If you choose to invest in a fedora/trilby or any round brim hat, you will instantly garner attention and stand out of many men in your circle. In case you are unsure or a bit hesitant go for a newsboy or a flat cap. These are as stylish as a round brim hat but understated and casual to match today’s standards.
If you want to buy a hat for functionality only, choose a beanie though it we would not recommend it for a formal or professional setting. For the experimental and artistic men out there…a beret is your best bet. We do not heartily recommend a baseball cap, but it is better than staying bare headed.
Woollen Scarf
The most overlooked item in man’s wardrobe is neckwear. With the rise of casual dressing, most men nowadays do not include any neckwear in their wardrobe. Be is a tie, bow tie, ascot or a scarf, a neckwear, if worn purposely can elevate an outfit completely. Popular to contrary belief neckwear is not just a decorative element in your wardrobe but it is also very functional. For instance, a scarf keeps you warm during the winter months, and it also upgrades your elegance manifold. Scarfs come in a variety of materials, sizes, colors, patterns, and price points, which is a cherry on the cake.
Gloves
One of the easiest ways to keep your style classic and distinctive is to accessorize well. Some accessories are purely stylistic, while others are functional too, for example, a pair of warm gloves. One of the most functional accessories during winters, and they keep you warm in myriad situations like riding a motorcycle, driving, or simply stepping out. In our opinion, wearing gloves with your winter outfits adds a gentlemanly sophistication.
Gloves come in an array of prices, quality, and materials but we would advise you to invest in a well-made quality pair, which can last you a lifetime. In terms of material, leather is the most versatile and easily available. However, you can also buy gloves made of fine wool or suede. Stay clear of cheap, shiny gloves made of polyester as they can easily chip off after a few uses and avoid functional gloves made specifically for a particular sport or activity.
Insulated Socks
Keeping your feet warm is a struggle in winters. One of the best solutions for this problem is to get a warm, insulated pair of socks. This is a very smart purchase as a high-quality cotton, or wool socks would not cost you a lot, but it can last many years. Even if you buy a pair of reasonably well-weaved socks, they can still outlast many of your woollen clothes. Just make sure to check some features like good elasticity, thick lining and natural materials and you can get socks that will keep you warm and stylish throughout the winters.
Boots
One of the many reasons we love colder months is we get to wear boots. As a men’s wear enthusiast I get really excited about winters and lovingly call this the boots weather. Boots are quintessentially the manliest footwear of all time. They are just masculine, aggressive and adds a stud like character your outfit. Work boots, Chelsea, Chukkas, combat, any kind of leather boot are functional stylish and truly badass.
Boots are suited to most aesthetics and styles. If you have a rugged sense of style, you can opt for chukkas, work or combat boots for a more polished silhouette go for Chelsea, dress boots or jodhpur style of boots as they are clean and elevate formal outfits. So, boots when you want to stay warm, boots when you want to get “the work” done, boots for that spicy winter date, and boots when you want to feel like a man.
Thick Insulated Jacket
We all have one signature piece in our wardrobe that we love wearing and it usually lasts ages. In most cases, that signature piece is a winter jacket. A jacket for men serves more than a single purpose i.e. keeping you warm. Investing in a classic jacket is like imbuing in your armor. Whether it is a leather jacket, an overcoat, a warm puffer, a wool blazer or an insulated denim jacket, once you choose a jacket suited to your lifestyle, needs and function, it will be the most worn article of clothing in your wardrobe.
Avoid fast fashion brands for buying “the jacket” and in case you cannot afford the name brands hunt for some local clothe makers nearby. Many artisans, tailors, leathercrafters offer superior garments at a reasonable price. You can also find local wholesaler who specialize in any material or articles, offering top-notch quality at a fraction of the price. Another option is to thrift your way to your dream outerwear. I brought my very first coat from a flea market and it is lasting me well. Invest in a good outerwear and you are all set to battle Mr. frost in style.
Winters are harsh but they do not have to be bland, these essentials are sure to keep you winter ready in style. We hope that you agree with our list, do share your thoughts in the comments.
