So what is it to be gentlemen?
A parka, a puffer, a trench, a duffle, a bomber, a raincoat, a pea coat or an overcoat?
And will that be leather, corduroy, down, wool or some incredibly clever material that sounds like it has more spec than your mobile phone?
As the winter weather arrives, bringing icy blasts of wind and rain, it’s time to get your outerwear in order.
We hate to break it to you, but the days of tripping out of the front door without a care for what you’re wearing are over for the next few months and some sartorial decisions need to be made.
Cold and wet weather means there is so much more to think about – even taking the dog for a walk becomes a matter of timing it right between downpours.
Ideally all you’ll have to do is rotate your summer wardrobe for your winter one – remember how we talked about investment pieces and buying well rather than buying often?
But if you’re in the market to buy new, pay attention to function first, then fit and then style.
How a material functions in wintry weather is most important because no matter how stylish a garment looks, if you’re cold and wet it’s going to make you miserable.
Next, fit – and this is a tricky one so pay attention.
Outerwear goes over other clothes, the clue is in the name, so allow room for a shirt, jumper or even a suit if you need an overcoat to wear for work.
Sleeve length can make or break the look of a coat – too short and it’ll look like you’ve shopped in the teen aisle, too long and it’ll look like you actually are a teenager borrowing your dad’s coat.
An overcoat’s sleeves should be long enough to cover a shirt cuff and suit sleeve, while still being able to see all of your hand, so should end just after the wrist bone.
A handy trick when trying on is to put your arms by your side and flick your hands out from the wrist, palms facing the floor – if the overcoat’s sleeves lightly brush the back of your hand they are the correct length.
Getting shoulders right is much more straightforward – the shoulders should end where your own shoulders end, otherwise we are back to that teenager raiding his dad’s wardrobe.
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