Outerwear refers to clothing that was particularly designed to be worn over other garments. Generally, the purpose of outerwear is to keep the wearer warm and to protect him from the elements during a cold day or night. However, outerwear has not only a practical side to it, but an aesthetic one as well. There are several types of outerwear you can benefit from during the cold season if you want to look your best. Don’t forget, looking good will result in feeling good and more confident, which will give you a better attitude. This is why a good piece of outerwear will not only feel warm, but it will also keep away the everyday blues of a cool winter day.
Investing in great outerwear is essential: a good piece will keep you warm; it will be very stylish (if you wear it in the right setting and with the right clothes) and will last a very long time, which is what true fashion is all about.
In this guide, we take a look at the main styles you should invest in when it comes to outerwear:
Coats
A coat is a timeless piece that any gentleman should own. Coats come in a wide variety of styles, from the famous trench coats and pea coats to the less famous Chesterfield coats, Covert coats and Ulster coats.
Each coat has its particularities and history, but we will break them down in another article.
A coat that fits well is a staple of elegance and sophistication. Moreover, coats are extremely warm and never go out of style. This is why it is extremely important to invest in a good coat. Not only will your coat last for a very long time, but they are also extremely versatile, which means that you can wear them both with a suit or with a jumper and jeans outfit.
Leather jackets
A second type of outerwear you should own is a leather jacket. Leather is a fantastic material: it is strong, durable, it molds against your shape and, even though it gets more and more flexible with time, it also becomes stronger and stronger! A great leather jacket is an investment you should make, as it is sure to add a lot of style to any look. Leather jackets are perfect for a variety of outfits: they can be worn when socializing, to work, to school and even when going hiking.
Leather jackets can keep you warm in very cool environments, but they are mostly renowned for their ability to withstand the wind. We recommend everyone to have a leather jacket, but especially to men who live in environments where it is very windy, such as the seaside.
Vests
Believe it or not, vest make great outerwear these days. For days that are chill, but not extremely cold, windy or snowy, a vest is a great alternative to a jacket. You can get away with not wearing a jacket if you add a vest over a sweater. This way, you will not only avoid the fabric bulk that results from your jacket’s sleeves overlapping your sweater’s sleeves (which can get too warm as well), but you will also score cool points. A vest worn over a sweater is a layered look that has a lot of depth and dimension to it. An outfit that features multiple interesting layers is an outfit that is very pleasing to the eye.
Bomber jackets
Bomber jackets are not always suited for cold weathers, but they do work if it’s not too chilly outside or if you are not planning on staying long outdoors. With their athletic fit, easy zip and the wide range of available styles, bomber jackets are perfect if you want to get a trendy, modern and youthful look.
Parkas
Parkas are casual pieces that tend to be longer than the average waist coat. They come in many fabrics, colors and styles, which makes them great for layering. Usually, parkas feature a detachable fur or faux fur lined hood.
If you want to benefit from extra insulation, you can opt for a down-lined parka over a cotton one.
A good parka can protect you from the cold and from the wind, and is perfect for week-end activities.
Wearing great outerwear is a perfect alternative to adding too many layers or bulky jackets to your outfits. Thankfully, as you can see in this article, there are a lot of types of good winter outerwear to choose from and we are sure that you can find something that will be worth investing in.
Knowing what the main different styles of winter outwear are, you will be able to select from the many options available in on- and offline stores, the styles that express your personality best.
You can be sure that if you wear anything from a classic parka or pea coat to a great leather jacket, that is well fitted to your body and comes in a high-quality material, you will both look great and feel warm during the cold, moist and windy winter days.
Fraquoh and Franchomme
Further reading:
The guide to men’s winter jackets
10 materials to wear in the winter
P.S. Which type of winter outerwear do you like to wear? Which one do you think is the most stylish?  Share your thoughts in the comments below! For more articles on style, fashion tips and cultural insights, you can subscribe to Attire Club via e-mail or follow us on Facebook or Twitter!
4 replies on “5 Outerwear Pieces You Should Own (B)”
A vest is great for the spring and fall too!
Definitely!
I think most of these pieces are very bulky, but I love the vest tip too!
Hi Bunber,
Thank you for keeping the conversation going – there are many outerwear options out there, and it’s great to know what you like and what you don’t.