The colder weather allows us to get really creative with our looks. Here's how to dress in a practical yet stylish way for winter, including a wealth of stylish outfits that all men can pull off.


Ah, our good friend Winter. Cold mornings, dark afternoons, the constant threat of rain and clouds. It’s not exactly enjoyable, is it? But there’s one saving grace for this harshest of seasons: the style.

For one, sub-zero temperatures allow for plenty of layering, which ensures more interesting and creative outfits. But for us, it’s all about the fabrics. Dense wools, lush corduroys, soft flannels and hardwearing moleskin are just some of the options available. Although designed primarily to keep us warm, they have the added benefit of feeling great against the skin, injecting an instant dose of hygge that’s sorely missing throughout the spring and summer months.

So, how can we make the most of this opportunity to flex our sartorial muscles? Whether you want to weather-proof your office wear or mix up your winter weekend attire, here’s how to nail cold-weather dressing.

How to dress for winter

Embrace texture


As previously mentioned, if there’s one good thing about dressing in winter, it’s the chance to dig out some serious fabrics. Summer is all about lightweight, breathable fibres like linen and cotton. Winter requires thicker, denser materials – think chunky wools, heavyweight denim, sturdy twills and heritage cloths like herringbone and tweed.

This is something to celebrate. The colder months allow for plenty of experimentation as you can combine different textures to create really interesting, highly personal outfits. Summer is limited in this regard, with single layers taking priority because of the stifling heat. Winter, on the other hand, allows you to combine multiple garments – cotton jersey hoodies under textured wool overcoats, flannel overshirts under nylon puffer jackets, or ribbed knitwear under technical parkas, for example.

The options are limitless and should be fully embraced.

Don’t be too dull


Yes, the days are short and the nights are long, but that doesn’t mean your outfits have to reflect the dark and dreary climate. The warmer months might be the obvious time to break out the pastels and primary shades, but winter has its colour perks too.

Rich autumnal hues like burgundy, racing green and burnt orange come alive in the cold and feel seasonally appropriate. It’s also a palette that mixes wonderfully with brown tones, ranging from chocolate and nutmeg to chestnut and copper, as well as earthy neutrals like ecru, stone and off-white.

Of course, tonal navy looks and all-black fits will always be a winter winner, but you shouldn’t be afraid to inject some life into your cold-weather attire. More often than not, the easiest way to do this is with a splash of colour.

Say no to soggy soles


Your choice of footwear is arguably the most important consideration when dressing for winter. There’s no point in splashing out on a fancy new winter coat and upgrading your knitwear collection if your shoes can’t cope with a downpour or icy surfaces.

The best winter-ready shoes and boots represent the pinnacle of shoemaking. They’ll usually be handmade using traditional processes and include robust leather uppers, chunky rubber soles and sturdy, water-resistant storm welts – ensuring you’ll stay comfortable and dry no matter the weather (trench foot is never a good look).

You can of course keep sneakers in your rotation, but for harsh, wet weather, a pair of durable Derby or Chelsea boots will always be a worthwhile investment.

Accessorise accordingly


When push comes to shove, winter dressing is all about keeping warm. This is where accessories come into play. A good quality scarf will help immeasurably, reducing windchill on your neck and face, but don’t just settle for the first one you see.

Search for a design in a solid, versatile colour that you know can be worn with everything (navy, grey and camel are excellent choices), or opt for a patterned take in a muted palette. You can’t go wrong with a Black Watch tartan scarf, for example, made up of a deep green, blue and black check.

Fabric choice is imperative too. You want something soft and comfortable that doesn’t agitate your skin, so try a merino wool, knitted cotton or cashmere-blend version.

Aside from a scarf, the usual suspects come into play, namely gloves and a beanie. There are a multitude of options for the former – leather, wool, technical styles, mitts – so simply opt for a pair that best suits your needs and aesthetic.

The beanie isn’t a one-season accessory, so you want to ensure versatility. There are a wealth of options available on the current market but for our money, a minimal navy fisherman design in a ribbed cashmere blend is a foolproof option that will get good use for nine months of the year. Not only will it complement everything in your existing wardrobe, but the softness of cashmere will ensure it doesn’t itch the top of your forehead, too.

Smart casual grey overcoat


The grey overcoat is a classic piece of winter outerwear. Go for one with a bit of texture in the weave and it’ll work admirably as both a smart jacket for work and something you can wear on weekends with jeans.

Here, we hit somewhere in the middle, with the tonal grey shirt, straight-leg black chinos and black penny loafers creating a sleek business-casual look that works in and out of the office.

The alternative colour puffer jacket


You’d struggle to walk down any city street in winter and not spot someone wearing a puffer jacket. The 90s fashion essential has come back in a big way, and for good reason. It’s incredibly practical, with its weatherproof outer shell and quilted or down-filled lining ensuring you stay toasty and dry, come rain or snow.

Go for one in a seasonally appropriate shade like green, burgundy or orange and contrast it against a dark black base, as shown here, to let it become the focal point of your look.

Colour matching


As we know by now, one of the more interesting ways to dress for winter is by playing with colour. There are many ways you can approach this, from purposefully clashing statement shades to more understated colour matching.

For the latter, try to link colours between garments, as shown above. Here, the coat features multiple hues in its check pattern, including grey, navy, burgundy and orange. The clever part comes through the choice of garments layered underneath a light blue shirt picking out the navy and the bright orange-red sweater highlighting the other prominent shades.

It’s an advanced-level menswear move that subtly ties an outfit together and lets you stand out for all the right reasons.

Monochrome winter outfit


You can’t go wrong with a monochrome fit, regardless of the season. Mixing and matching black and white pieces is foolproof and saves time each morning. Particularly helpful when you can’t afford to have your heating on and you want those extra few minutes in a nice warm bed.

However, such a limited colour palette can sometimes fall a bit flat. Not so in winter, where the extra layers required allow you to create depth and visual interest via contrasting silhouettes and textures, as shown here.

Slim black twill pants and a knitted quarter-zip sweater are broken up nicely by a bright white tee, while the long-length quilted parka and chunky military boots bring some weight to the overall look.

Earth-tone winter outfit


If you’re looking to break away from the safety of dark colours this winter, use this outfit as a template.

By sticking to earthy shades of white, brown, green and cream – all of which naturally complement each other – you can create statement looks with very little thought.

Here, the outdoorsy palette is reinforced by outdoorsy pieces – slim off-white cargo pants, a chunky cream roll neck, a padded workwear jacket and brown leather hiking boots – giving the entire outfit a sense of authenticity while remaining entirely practical.