Written by Paddy Maddison in Essentials on the 29th September 2016

As much as it pains us to say this, it’s almost time to ditch the shorts and t-shirts and don a winter coat once again. But whilst the idea of the cold weather and long nights coming back can feel a little depressing it does mean you’ll be able to have a lot more variety in your wardrobe. One great way to cheer yourself up as the weather starts to turn is to grab yourself a great new winter coat to get you through AW16. So let us walk you through the key styles this season and give you a few recommendations on some of our favourites options.

The Parka 

It’s been a winter staple of style-savvy gents for decades and it’s no wonder why really. It looks great, it’s super warm and it’ll stay in style season after season. If you’re feeling flush this winter then a good solid choice is the Arctic Parka from Woolrich, which was originally designed for Alaskan pipeline workers in the ‘70s, or if you’re on a budget then Carhartt’s Anchorage or Trapper parkas offer style, functionality and durability for about a quarter of the cost of the former.

The Down Jacket 

If you need to keep the chill at bay but also need your winter coat to be lightweight then 'down' is your best bet. It’s extremely light, easy to fit into a small space for transport and it’s unbeatable when it comes to keeping you warm. Moncler’s down jackets are famously great quality, there are loads of different styles to pick from but their Valence coat is probably our favourite. You also can’t go wrong with outdoor brands such as The North Face or Patagonia, in fact TNF’s Nuptse jacket is renowned as one of the best around.

The Shearling Jacket 

A good shearling jacket is great for winter in the city. It’s a comfortable, cosy material that’s ideal for protecting you from icy winds. Ami have a beautiful leather option for this season if money is no object, or alternatively A.P.C. have some great varieties available too.

The Technical Jacket 

Looking for all the latest features and a more modern look? Then opt for a technical jacket this year. It’s a good choice as you get all the key elements you could possibly want from a winter coat rolled into one package: warm, fully waterproof, windproof, breathable, stylish and hard-wearing. Try Arc’teryx for some of the most stylish, minimalist, technical outerwear available, or if you’re pinching the pennies then try Patagonia.

The Pea Coat 

Perhaps technical doesn’t really fit with your personal style and you’d rather opt for something more timeless and classic. Well it doesn’t get more classic than a quality pea coat. This stylish design has been keeping men warm since as early as 1720, if that’s not timeless style then we’re not sure what is! For AW16 we’d recommend Norse Projects’ Birk wool pea coat.

A look at men's 2016 outerwear in this guide to The Ultimate Guide Men’s Winter Coats & Men's Winter Jackets.