Staying stylish through the cold weather is always a challenge – particularly as the things that keep you warmest like big woolly jumpers and wellie boots don’t tend to be the most visually appealing or flattering items of clothing. But there are ways to look great while wearing practical, weather-appropriate clothes that will keep you toasty through rain, snow and anything else you need to endure to make it through to spring. Here are our top picks of stylish yet practical items that will be your best friends in the coming months.
Photo by: thenauticalcompany
The all-weather coat
While evolution might have robbed us of our natural coats, at least we now have the advantage of choosing our own outerwear – and there really are so many styles of so many styles of men’s coats to choose from. Whether you favour the classic pea coat, the parka jacket or the mackintosh, there’s a coat style to suit everyone and every occasion. For the awkward winter-spring changeover period, we recommend a shorter length pea coat in a tweed or wool-blend fabric. Layered up with a thin jumper, this will keep you warm through the rain or snow, but equally, you won’t feel overheated if the weather’s mild.
The lightweight jumper
The great thing about a lightweight jumper is that it’s easy to stash away in a bag in case the weather turns – it also won’t look as bulky under a coat as other types of jumper. The most stylish of jumpers is the Breton jumper, so whether you want to go for the classic blue and white stripes or a different colour combination, why not try to find one to suit you? Another option is the patterned jumper. You can get away with lurid colours and motifs at Christmas-time, but perhaps once the festive season’s over stick with something a bit easier on the eye like a simple Fairisle jumper. Get some inspiration with GQ’s pick of the best patterned jumpers.
Hardwearing boots
Finding the right boots for winter is a tricky thing to do: you want to find something that will see you through any bad patches of weather, but you also need something that won’t look ridiculous on a mild day. Get the best of both worlds with the Chelsea boot – a sturdy, low-heeled ankle boot that can be worn in a casual outfit with jeans or underneath smart trousers for work. They also tend to come up above the ankle, so you won’t have any chilly gaps either!
