The first day of Autumn arrived this week and slight chill in the air is a sign of the colder seasons ahead. However, rather than letting the rain and ice dampen their style or freeze their fashion sense, you can incorporate a few necessities into your wardrobe that will make facing the elements easier whilst keeping you sharp. We’ve put together 4 must-have items that we think make Winter a comfortable and stylish season, even when the weather turns against you.
Umbrella
We’re not talking about those tiny plastic ones that struggle against a light breeze, or the huge golf umbrellas that are covered in unsightly advertising, we’re referring to a gentleman’s umbrella. A good gentleman’s umbrella looks just as sharp under a heavy shower as it does in your hand as you walk to work on a crisp winter morning. The three factors we recommend looking for in a good umbrella are:
- A wooden handle – personally we like a hooked handle but make sure it’s not plastic.
- Good quality material – make sure it’ll stand up to a bit of wear-and-tear.
- Check the ribs – they should be sturdy and flexible. Too rigid and they may snap, too weak and they could bend.
They aren’t even particularly expensive and, if treated well, should last a while. Check out Charles Tyrwhitt and their affordable collection.
Scarf
A good scarf goes a long way to making outerwear look much more dapper, but make sure you have one that is elegant and warming instead of gaudy and itchy. We tend to say that cashmere or wool/cashmere blend will make sure that it’s warm and comfortable without being itchy or chunky. Simple colours and contrasts make a great statement when combined with outfits, the picture above has a few of our favourites from a variety of retailers including Jasper Conran, Vivienne Westwood and John Lewis.
We’ve also provided a handy guide, from Real Men Real Style, on the various ways you can wear a scarf depending on personal style, outfit and material.
Long Coat
We’ve mentioned before that “elegance” is the word for men’s style this Autumn/Winter season and this is especially true when it comes to outerwear. We were recently asked if we were to choose between jackets and coats, which would it be? This year it’s all about the long coat. Belted trench coats, slim-cut wool coats or double-breasted rain coats make a much more elegant statement than any jacket could, plus they cover more of your body meaning more of you is warmer. Layer them with knitwear, polo necks and slim-cut trousers to get a great look everytime.
Boots
It’s no secret that we love our boots on The Male Stylist, they’re comfy, hard-wearing, come in a variety of styles and can be worn in a variety of ways. What’s not to like? Save yourself the sodden socks when you step in a puddle and get yourself some sturdy boots that can be worn with an array of outfits. We personally like the offerings from Zegna and Jones but we’re partial to the collections from Next and ASOS too. Make sure to take care of them after they’ve been drenched and polish regularly, they’ll keep your feet and ankles dry as well as seeing you through Winter.
So those are our 4 winter style essentials, let us know what you think in the comment section below and if you’ve enjoyed the article then feel free to comment, like and/or share it with your friends/followers. There’ll be more winter style ideas coming soon from The Male Stylist so subscribe for more information and future updates.
By Adam Walker
