Jackets are essential winter layers. Stylist Lauren Messiah recommends every man own at least a few staples like leather, shearling and puffer coats for optimal warmth in cold climates.
Alpha Industries offers this insulated option featuring Gore-Tex fabric and 600 fill power down padding, complete with stylish details such as horn buttons and welt pockets.
Bomber Jacket
The bomber jacket has become one of the most iconic symbols in men's outerwear. Initially conceived as an item to keep military pilots warm in open-air cockpits, these flight jackets later found their way off of military service and onto streetwear thanks to celebrities wearing them both on-screen and off-screen or as uniforms of subcultures and tribes.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, bomber jackets saw a comeback in high fashion with designs by Raf Simons, Issey Miyake and Helmut Lang. Each designer added his or her own aesthetic and modifications such as braided elastic at the cuffs and waist that prevented material from rolling up or bunching up and created sleek yet functional-cool pieces.
No matter your season of choice or the style you desire, bomber jackets have always been an iconic staple that offers flexibility in style and function. Pair yours with pants or joggers made of leather, corduroy or fleece fabric to maintain its utilitarian aesthetic.
Puffer Jacket
Puffer jackets are specially-designed to keep you warm by trapping air against your skin, keeping it at an insulated level and trapping heat inside. Available in various sizes and fabrics, puffer jackets often utilize down or synthetic fiber insulation materials for optimal warmth.
Premium down insulation, the most efficient material for keeping you cozy, can be found only in top quality puffer jackets. Goose down has higher fill power than duck down for increased warmth.
Recent puffer jacket mens models feature hybrid insulation, with panels of down or synthetic fabric designed to be more breathable than their down counterparts - ideal for active snow and mountain trips when weightiness becomes an issue. This is an especially useful feature.
A double-breasted peacoat offers an iconic business wear look. Typically worn over suits and blazers, but also suitable for casual attire like jeans, this classic piece usually crafted of wool is available in dark hues like navy to complement formalwear attire.
Vest
Vests (also referred to as waistcoats) are sleeveless garments worn over a shirt and feature buttons running along its front opening for closure, with either peaked or shawl collar lapels for extra style. More casual than waistcoats, vests can also be teamed up with formal men suits for occasions that call for them or worn alone for casual events.
Vests differ from jackets in that they feature pockets which can hold items such as fob watches and spectacles, or add color with an accessory such as a pocket square to make your vest appear more polished while adding some pops of color to an ensemble.
Vests can make a fantastic addition to any wardrobe, especially on warm days when wearing a heavy men coat would be too hot. Investing in several odd vests will expand your selection without taking up too much room in your closet - pair one with your blazer for work attire, or pair a textured wool vest with casual pants on weekends for casual outings!
Peacoat
Peacoats are ideal for creating an enduring formal, sophisticated and timeless look for men. Typically falling just above the knee, this coat looks fantastic when worn over a suit (especially with white tie!) or for casual use over roll neck and cashmere sweaters for an alternative take.
Originally created for sailors who had to climb ropes on sail ships (known as 'reefers" by the Navy), the classic peacoat offers all three qualities needed in an ideal coat: durability, function and esthetics. Plus its close fitting nature makes layering easier over shirts or jackets.
The peacoat is an essential winter wardrobe piece, and navy is one of the most sought-after colors. There's something suitable for everyone here - from slim-fit versions like Gainsbourg's worn by Redford in Casino Royale to oversized styles worn by Redford himself in that film; all styles available. The best peacoats have soft handles with clean folded cuffs for optimal wearability.
