Written by Dan Skinner in Tips & Advice on the 29th October 2018

Winter can be a real pain in the arse when it comes to dressing smart. That decisive debate in the morning, whether to stick it out and face battering rain and wind in just an anorak, or pack on a hoodie, jacket and coat then face sweating through your pristine, crisp, business shirt. Although it can be depressing leaving those glorious summer days behind, winter provides a great opportunity for stylish layering, whilst nailing a cosy and toasty outfit. With a few clever styling tips, we hope to provide you with plenty of ideas for the colder season ahead.

Long Coat

Firstly, we recommend you invest in a long, thick Coat. An icon of the 1980s Wall Street businessman. It doesn’t matter your body type or your desired fit, there is a coat out there for everyone. An overabundance of pockets on every jacket - a soft silk lining and a classic fashion staple - what more could you ask for? They look great with almost any outfit not just smart attire, and if accompanied with a waterproofing spray, they can protect nearly every item of clothing. A Peacoat is probably your safest option for winter fit.

We endorse sticking to neutral, dark colours to match as many outfits and suits as possible. Combine this with a set of black, or brown shoes, a woollen scarf and understated pants for a complete smart set. A Peacoat should always fit as a blazer does when it comes to shoulders, allowing enough room for movement but rather slimming for a well fitted look. Slightly slimming towards the torso and ending just after the hip around the blazer length, but before the knee. For shorter guys, we acclaim it finishes quite high and for taller guys rather low. Collars and breasted options are completely to your taste. It really is worth investing in a quality option as they can last a lifetime as well as brave the onslaughts of cold weather elements.

Layering 

Next up Layering; A mutual favourite amongst the hipster and the fashionable gent alike. Layers can add a completely different dimension to any outfit. From Autumn to spring, layers are a staple in any attire when done correctly. Such a big reason layering is so popular is because its tremendously practical. The correct way to dressing smart with additional layers is to be discreet. A V-Neck sweater over the shirt but under the blazer adds a real cosy layer to your outfit and depending on temperature, the thickness is easily adjusted. V-necks provide a textbook balance of cosy yet smart as tie and top button are still the centre of attention with a minimalist V-neck still insulating your torso.

Cardigans, turtle necks and sweaters can all be incorporated with business attire. Plain woollen knit designs remain essential to every closet, but once united with a blazer or overcoat will provide a warmer feel to an educated look. Whereas cotton gives a sleek aesthetic to most looks. Again, attempt to keep colours and designs neutral with simple pullovers. For the love of god, NO BUTTON UPS, you’re not a failed geography teacher eating grandma’s cookies after a day of video games. If you’re not looking to spend hundreds on a coat, a just as warm and stylish alternative can be hats, scarves or gloves. We understand that for the average guy it’s not going to be that easy to stroll into a nice department store or scour the internet and splash the cash on a nice coat. So, for just the colder months, why not invest in a few statement accessories. Be it a beanie, a nice scarf or leather gloves. They're all relatively low-cost items that can have a real impact, not just on the outfit, but in keeping you warm too.

Accessories 

Pom Pom beanies are great for style points, with variation in colour, personality and size. A simple pom pom can break up the boring line of a suit as well as keep your head toasty. Alternatively, if you don’t want to ruin your well-groomed hair, there are scarves with brilliant patterns and plentiful in colourful variations that will work in nearly all situations. Contrary to this, gloves should remain plain and neutral, no branding or jazzy markings (including designer names). A real nice pair of leather gloves can come in real handy during bitter weather, plus they look super slick when matched correctly with other leather items in your suit getup such as belt and shoes. Again, it’s crucial these gloves are fitted correctly to your hands, no baggy finger ends or no palm piece starting at your second knuckle (unless your name is OJ Simpson).

The key to accessories is to match colours and patterns with these winter accessories, but we strongly suggest attempting to co-ordinate colour tones with neutral colours. Why not start stylish from the ground up with a pair of smart winter shoes? From Desert boots to Chelsea boots, they are great for dividing up an outfit, and can be worn equally well with a pair of jeans for a smart casual divide. United with a pair of impenetrable woollen socks and gone are those days of freezing cold feet as you stroll into the office. We endorse doing your research when it comes to picking out the right boot, by going into stores and trying them on with different pairs of socks to find your middle ground. This helps prevent blisters as well as averting spending copious amounts of time, trying to break in the boot.

If all this didn’t take your fancy, simply double up on layers or alternatively, invest in a thin thermal. Worn underneath your business attire, a thermal can really help keep your vitals warm, from pants to tops and socks, nobody will ever know you’re wearing them. However, if you do overheat thermals can be a real nuisance to remove.

We take a look at layering style and men's fashion to stay warm in this guide on How to Maintain a Smart Look in the Cold.