As the Christmas decorations go up and the sun seems to set earlier and earlier each day, it's time to find a new winter coat or jacket to bundle up in. Style options aplenty, we talked to a few menswear designers to get their picks for what to have this season.
Topcoats
The topcoat is a lightweight overcoat that ends at or right above the knees, and J.Crew's Single-Breasted Ludlow Topcoat is the brand's winter take on this classic style. A favorite of J.Crew Menswear Director Frank Muytjens, he loves the material, "beautiful, felted wool from France", and notes navy to be his top choice.
"It's woven really tight to give it that felted look," he says of the style, adding that it keeps the cold out as well, "so it's super functional." On the design, Muytjens says: "We’ve always had a top coat in the line that fit nicely over our Ludlow suit, while still looking slim and tailored. With the Ludlow topcoat in French wool we updated it with peaked lapels to give it a sharper, modern edge. When I wear it, it definitely makes me feel more sophisticated."
Since it's such a versatile piece, the coat can go with everything. Muytjens says he loves to wear his with raw jeans, work boots and a big scarf. "I also love it with tonal dress pants and a navy cashmere crew neck. Top it off with black wingtips — I can't think of anything more sophisticated."
"I'm also a big fan of scarves and different ways to wear them. For a dressier, gentsy look with the scarf and the coat, just throw it over your neck and follow the lapel of the topcoat to form a v-neck shape over your chest."
Two other topcoats to have this winter are Zara's Grey Checked Coat (for a plaid coat that makes a simple statement on its own — see below) andH&M's Wool Blend Coat (a mixed ploy and wool style with faux leather detailing).
Duffle Coats
Another classic winter coat style is the duffle coat, which was traditionally made from woolen cloth called duffel and features four toggle fastenings. Brands are giving their modern take on the classically British style this season and among them is EXPRESS.
"We’ve seen duffles as a huge trend," shares EXPRESS Senior VP of Men's Design, Dean Micklewhite. "Our EXPRESS wool duffle coat is cleaner and very modern compared to the classic. We’ve simplified it and added leather binding and trims," Micklewhite adds.
On how to style the wool duffle coat (which is only available in-store), he says: “It’s very versatile because you can wear it to the office with dress pants and a shirt and tie, which updates a wear-to-work look, or you can dress it down with a crew neck sweater and sweatpants and sneakers for a more downtown casual look.”
Two other duffle coats to have this winter are Sandro's Wool Duffle Coat (a sleek mixed-fabric take on the classic) and Marc New York's Wesley (for a plaid and blocked option — see below).
Parkas
A North American classic winter weather coat, the parka originated from the Caribou Inuit in Northern Canada and Montreal-based menswear brand e-tailer Frank & Oak has a great take on the style.
Frank & Oak Co-founder Ethan Song's favorite from the new outerwear collection is the Sherpa-Lined Hooded Parka in black. "I like the clean design combined with the soft and functional Sherpa wool, especially for our cold Montreal winters," he says, adding that it was inspired by "Scandinavian landscapes and contemporary architecture. The sherpa material and tonal blocking simultaneously embrace traditional design and modern, sophisticated minimalism."
His styling formula for the parka is simple: "Style with a pair of black selvedge denim, an oxford shirt, a warm wool tuque and white sneakers, and you're all set for a weekend in the countryside or just an afternoon walk to take in the crisp air."
Two other parkas to have this winter are Wemoto's Mountain Parka (for its color blocked style — see below) and DC Shoes' Tick Snow Jacket (which is a heavy-duty parka).
Down & Insulated Jackets
For an even sportier winter style, the quilted down jacket is always a good choice. Originally designed in America by Eddie Bauer in 1940, the classic down jacket has been modernized over the years. For example, New York-based premium performance apparel brand ISAORA has the Combo Down Moto Jacket this season, a down vest with leather sleeves.
"It's like having two essentials jackets in one or, in other words, half the spend, but all the glory," says ISAORA co-founder Marc Daniels. "We’ve always had a thing for leather biker jackets but we hadn’t yet come across one that was perfectly winter-proof," Daniels shares.
"By integrating the classic padded calfskin sleeves, lining them with special forces-grade Primaloft Gold insulation, then integrating them with a high-density goose down vest and making the whole thing in Italy, we think we’re well on our way to meeting winter head-on."
Two other down and insulated jackets to have this winter are Lululemon Men's Mile High Blazer (this water and wind-resistant insulated jacket has Lycra side panels for flexibility) and Barbour's Heritage Liddesdale Slim Fit Quilted Jacket (with an updated tailored cut and soft corduroy collar — see below).
Source : http://www.askmen.com/style/fashion_trends/winter-coats-2.html
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The lowest temperature recorded is -27.2