Tips: how to dress well in winter for a man?

The cold has set in... and isn't going away anytime soon.

The winter wardrobe is a deluge of natural, comfortable materials and layered pieces. It also allows for more stylistic experimentation, since we wear more clothes.

We will come back together to the great principle of constructing a winter look, before dwelling on each piece that composes it. Without forgetting the selection of brands.

Tie your scarves, let's go...

The basic functional principle: the 3-layer rule

To properly insulate yourself against the cold, you must first understand a basic principle that hikers know well: the rule of 3 layers of clothing.

• a windproof and/or waterproof layer : it blocks wind and rain,

• an insulating layer : it contains lots of air heated by your body, so it insulates you,

• a base layer : close to the body, it keeps you warm, avoids contact with an itchy sweater and wicks away moisture.

Another basic rule: NEVER get wet .

Neither from the outside (rain) nor from the inside (perspiration), because wet clothing evacuates heat and will cool you down very quickly! This is particularly vicious when it comes to feet, where the temperature difference with an icy sidewalk can cause highly unpleasant condensation.

The base layer

It's your body linen: t-shirt and underwear.

• If you don't plan on doing any physical activity, cotton can do the trick to keep you warm close to your body and wick away moderate moisture. Also note that linen, even in winter, fulfills this function wonderfully.

• But if it's for skiing or walking, or you're going to take public transport in a casual look , then opt for a merino wool t-shirt which gets wet less easily than cotton. Or simply get into the habit of carrying your coat in your hand when you hurry through the metro corridors!

The merino t-shirt is ideal for winter.

Little secret: for very cold weather, micro-wool tights are invisible and so comfortable (we promise, we won't tell anyone). In the Nordic countries, they know this trick very well (or in mountain sports).

Generally speaking, if you are the chilly type, do not hesitate to look at the underwear that hikers use in winter. You will definitely find what you are looking for.

The insulating layer

This is the layer that must trap air, a natural insulator.

• a cotton garment can do the trick again if you don't risk sweating ,

• A wool piece traps air between the stitches and in the wool fiber itself. It's much better!

Whatever people say, wool remains your best friend in winter.

• the must: the pen , which traps even more air than wool fiber. That said, more and more technical materials have similar characteristics. To weigh the pros and cons of down vs. synthetic materials, don't hesitate to read this topic here .

Be careful not to compress this layer too much : it would trap less air and could conduct more heat to the outside. Air is your friend, when it does not rhyme with "draft".

The windproof and/or waterproof layer

This is the layer that finishes the job! But don't count on it to protect you alone: ​​you have to play on the alliance of the 3 layers.

This layer does not need to be thick if the intermediate layer traps enough air. Any windproof and waterproof garment will do the job if it is sufficiently breathable:

• fairly dense woolen cloth,

• microfiber polyester (not the one from mass-market stores), and other technical materials like Gore-Tex®, Canada Goose Tri-Durance® , and all other "techwear" textiles ;

• oiled cotton;

• leather.

Beyond its properties, waxed cotton has the advantage of bringing a lot of character to a look.

Leather is essential for protecting bikers from the wind, so why not you?

Any barrier is useless if it has a breach: do not neglect your neck, nor your extremities (hands and feet) which are too often forgotten. This is the time not to neglect scarves and gloves!

Better three layers than one

Some garments may cover two layers , for example a heavy sheepskin jacket, with the sheepskin fur inside.

This is also the case with Barbour type jackets, when they are equipped with interior padding.

That said, keep in mind that for the same thickness, you will be warmer with several layers than just one. .

How to choose a good men's coat?

The must-have piece for cold and wet weather is, of course, the coat. You will find several types, some referring more than others to a given influence/style.

Some quick tips to help you make your choice!

• Opt for a timeless design , especially if you don't already have a few good coats to fall back on.

• Likewise, look for versatility . Both in terms of style—a pea coat will always go with more outfits than a bomber jacket—and in terms of color. The easiest are navy, gray, and camel, at least initially. Khaki, often overlooked, is an interesting shade as well.

• The queen of materials is undoubtedly wool .

By opting for a wool sweater and coat, you are pretty much sure to hold out.

What to wear under your coat to stay warm in winter?

Knitwear, sweaters and other cardigans

Comfortable, insulating and warm, they express different influences depending on its design. Zero tolerance for synthetic materials, and be careful to choose a very regular (which does not mean uniform) and tight knitting / weaving.

Virgin lamb's wool is a relevant and accessible option for small budgets. Merino, alpaca or camel are more noble options, both in terms of insulation and aesthetics.

Finally, there is cashmere and, for those who remember the post on the luxury house Loro Piana , there is something even softer: baby cashmere .

Why not opt ​​for bold colours or patterns ? We are thinking in particular of shades of blue or warm colours, always pleasant when the grey weather sets in.

Not forgetting the cardigan!

The thicker and tighter the knitting stitch of a stitch, the warmer it will keep you.

The sleeveless quilted jacket

The sleeveless quilted jacket, still marginalized a few years ago, has finally gained its letters of nobility. Thanks to our Italian friends, who do not hesitate to wear it in sartorial outfits.

Without necessarily going that far, they easily introduce a gentleman farmer touch to a look, or even a touch of sportswear depending on the pieces that accompany it.

In an outfit constructed in monochrome, it is also a good way to introduce a “break” color.

This extra thickness does not hinder your movements in any way, while being suitable for intermediate temperatures.

Wool pants

In winter, it is interesting to be able to play on textures to bring variety . Speckled, mottled, colorful: here again, what was original a few years ago tends to become more democratic.

Blue and green: colours soft enough for those who want to gradually get into tartan.

As for the cut, a few deviations from the eternal pleated pants are allowed. We love the cargo pants that are starting to assert themselves. Cut in a thick flannel, they mix originality and elegance! Worn with a shirt, a blazer or a good big sweater, they sign original but easy outfits.

What accessories to wear in winter?

Hats, scarves and gloves are essential to stay warm: the body cools through the extremities.

The hats

Many people avoid it in both summer and winter. However, the hat prevents significant heat loss ! Okay, it's true that it can be itchy or too hot, but think about those gusts of icy air that you take head on.

Keep smiling, put on your hat.

If you are not very comfortable with the hat, go for a neutral model, even if it means taking two depending on the colors you wear the most.

Scarves, stoles & co.

Scarves are great allies when the cold weather is trying to get to us. Wool, cashmere and silk are good bases , provided that the weave is fine and offers a fluid material.

The patterns and color of the scarf should fit your needs. Overall, there are two options available to you:

• YOU Pair it with a specific piece to complete the outfit (coat, pants). In this case, fantasy is allowed.

• It's a practical piece, worn daily. In this case, go for an easy color for a first purchase.

A scarf can be original while remaining subtle. Here, pink squares run across the fabric, without it being flashy. (Canali model)

Concretely, in winter, we can think of shades of green, blue and gray. Simple, but more original than the black fleece scarf you wore as a child! 😉

Gloves

We start with a beautiful goat, lamb or deer leather for the most demanding. A lining in fur, wool, cashmere, silk or a mix... and that's it. It's as simple as that.

The assembly must be neat and regular. The skin must not stretch lengthwise but, on the contrary, widen to adapt to the size of your hands.

On the shoe side

We think about socks!

It's probably the socks that will change depending on the seasons: your derby shoes can be worn with summer chinos as well as with flannel pants.

More than just Scottish yarn socks, soft wools keep feet warm in harsh temperatures.

And for a little over €500, you will be entitled to the vicuna/cashmere/silk model.

What shoes should you choose in winter?

As we said, your favorite pair of derbies can obviously be worn in winter. That said, some models are more suited to the sometimes cruel weather .

Leather is a must-have. It's time to put your most robust and bulky pairs back on.

Boots are ideal.

Because they insulate the foot and ankle well, it is better to go for high models.

We explain absolutely everything to you here !

The final word...

For effective winter dressing, keep the three-layer rule in mind.

Above all, do not neglect the choice of materials, which is decisive this season. Ideally, opt for wool, which is appreciated for its insulating and thermoregulating properties. You can also easily play on textures.

It's also an opportunity to introduce more fanciful pieces: a brightly colored sweater in the middle of a navy look, pants with a subtle tartan pattern...

If possible, protect your little feet in suitable shoes, whether fur-lined ankle boots or leather sneakers.

Finally, we think about accessories, both useful and stylish!