Where you spend the day decides which of these outfits is yours: a desk and a cold office point to the Winter Office Outfit or the Wool Coat, while errands and dog walks point to the Puffer Jacket or the Fleece Jacket.
Most of these outfits work the same way: thin pieces underneath, one substantial layer on top, whether that is a wool coat, a puffer, or a leather jacket over a sweater.
Wool, cashmere and merino sit closest to the body in nearly every case.
1. Smart Winter Outfit
Black wool against a grey scarf is a two-tone pairing that needs no thought in the morning. A long coat does the tailoring work on its own, so what sits underneath can stay simple.
Keep the hem below the knee and the shoulders clean, and let the scarf be the only soft thing at your neck.
I would pick a scarf one shade lighter than the coat; it adds depth without adding a third color.
A knit under the coat adds some warmth, but the coat does most of the warming, so spend the bigger share of your budget there.
2. Winter Office Outfit
A waistcoat is the quiet fix for cold offices. Worn under a grey blazer with a tie and black trousers, it adds a layer across the torso without bulk at the sleeves.
Pick a waistcoat in the same grey as the blazer or a shade close to it, and keep the bottom button undone.
The dark coat on the rack is the right call for the commute, since it comes off at the door and leaves the suit layers untouched.
Fit matters more than fabric weight here: the waistcoat should lie flat against the shirt.
3. Puffer Jacket
Grey puffer, black hoodie, black pants, brown boots: that is a dog-walk outfit that also works for errands, and I like how little it asks of you.
Choose a puffer that ends at the hip so it sits over the hoodie without pulling at the shoulders. Dark pants keep the whole thing tidy, and brown boots break up the black without needing another piece.
Puffers lose shape in return for warmth. A puffer adds volume up top, so slimmer pants balance it better than baggy ones.
4. Wool Coat
Brown wool over all black is the pairing I would hand to anyone who wants a coat to look expensive. The turtleneck, trousers and boots form one dark column, and the coat is the only color in it.
Look for a coat that reaches mid-thigh or lower and closes without strain over a knit. Brown suits men who find black coats too severe.
A black turtleneck keeps the neckline clean, so you can skip the scarf on milder days or add one in grey when it drops.
5. The Flannel Classic
Flannel earns its place because it needs almost no styling. A grey plaid shirt with distressed blue jeans and brown boots is a finished outfit before you reach for anything else.
I would keep the shirt untucked and the sleeves rolled once or twice. Grey plaid is quieter than red or green checks, so it pairs with nearly every jacket you own.
Add a coat or a denim jacket on top when it gets colder; the shirt works as a middle layer too.
6. Dark Denim
Denim on denim works in winter when both pieces are dark. A dark jacket with black wide-leg jeans reads as one tone, which is why the patterned loafers can carry the outfit’s only point of interest.
Wide legs call for a shorter, boxier jacket so the proportions stay balanced. Loafers show the ankle, so they suit dry days better than slush.
For colder weather, wear a thick knit under the jacket, and keep the wash dark so nothing looks faded or mismatched.
7. Quarter-Zip Sweater
A ribbed quarter-zip in brown does the job of a dress sweater without needing a tie. Over a white shirt with grey trousers, it keeps the collar neat and adds a warm layer in one step.
Zip it halfway and let the shirt collar sit flat on top. Choose a sweater that skims the waistband, so it doesn’t bunch over a belt.
8. Turtleneck
Cable knit gives a turtleneck texture, which is why a brown one reads as dressed up even under a casual jacket.
Sunglasses are optional, but they suit this look.
A turtleneck replaces both shirt and scarf, so pick one that fits snug at the neck without choking you.
9. Leather Jacket with Sweater Layering
Layering a black leather jacket over a burgundy sweater, white collared shirt and black tie turns a rocker staple into something tidy. The sweater supplies the color, and the leather keeps it from looking too soft.
Keep the tie slim and tuck it inside the sweater. Black trousers and black gloves keep the palette tight.
Burgundy is the one bold piece here, so leave the rest dark and plain.
10. Fleece Jacket
A brown fleece jacket is the easiest warm layer to wear on a normal weekday. Pair it with a white tee, blue jeans and white sneakers for something casual that still looks put together.
I like brown because it reads softer than black and sits well against denim. Pick a fleece with a clean zip front and a body that ends at the belt.
Fleece is casual by nature, so this suits errands and coffee better than an office.
11. Hoodie Layered Under Jacket
A black hoodie under an olive zip-up jacket gives you 2 layers that you can adjust through the day. Pull the hood out over the jacket collar, or leave it tucked in.
Wide-leg black pants balance the bulk up top, and a cap finishes the casual look. Keep the jacket a little roomy so the hoodie doesn’t strain the shoulders.
Olive over black is a low-contrast pairing, which is why it looks deliberate.
12. Oversized Sweater and Blanket Scarf
Oversized knits ask for a statement at the neck, and a chunky multicolored blanket scarf supplies one. Over a grey sweater, it adds all the color you need.
Let the sweater hang loose and keep the scarf as the loudest piece. Wide-leg dark jeans balance the volume, so the outfit doesn’t swallow you.
Grey is the quiet background here; plain bottoms let the scarf stand out.
Choosing Quality Fabrics
Wool, cashmere and merino do the insulating, so buy those for the middle layer, the sweater over a thin thermal base. Cashmere is the softest of the 3 and makes a plain sweater look more expensive than it is.
[Name the fabric or garment, e.g. a chunky wool sweater] keeps you warm, and it is a better fit for a weekend than a workday.
I would put the money into one wool coat or sweater you wear constantly rather than several cheap ones. Wool holds its shape through a season of wear, and quilted nylon packs down when the temperature swings back up.
Heavy cotton also holds up in the cold. It is a good pick when you want something sturdier than a knit.
Layering Techniques
Thin thermals are the base of a warm outfit. They sit under a sweater or shirt and add heat without adding bulk, so your clothes still hang the way they should.
Build the middle from lightweight insulators like merino, cashmere or wool. Then add outerwear that can handle wind and rain.
Balance is what keeps the outfit from looking bulky. If the layers are thin, the coat can be the only substantial piece.
Comfort counts too.
Accessorizing for Winter
A wool scarf and leather gloves finish a cold-weather outfit. They are also the quickest way to get warmer without changing anything else you are wearing.
Add a beanie when the temperature drops.
Lug soles grip wet pavement better than smooth ones.
Keep your shoes and boots clean. Dirty footwear can undo an otherwise sharp winter outfit.
The best winter clothes for men aren’t nice-to-haves, they’re survival gear. Depending on where you are, winter is either coming, already being a menace, or never left (shout out to GQ’s small-but-mighty Alaskan readership).
— GQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should men wear in winter?
Layer thin, warm fabrics under a coat that handles wind and rain. Start with thermals, add a merino, cashmere or wool knit in the middle, and finish with a wool scarf and leather gloves.
A thin base and a thin mid layer leave room under the coat, so nothing bunches at the shoulders or drags the hem, and the coat does most of the warming.
What should a 45 year old man wear?
A long wool coat over a simple knit is a safe, sharp choice at any age.
Black wool with a grey scarf one shade lighter needs no thought, and brown wool over all black looks expensive. Keep the coat hem below the knee, or at least mid-thigh, and let the knit underneath stay plain.
What are the trendy winter styles for men?
Wide-leg pants and jeans paired with a shorter, boxier jacket are the clearest current shape in my picks. Oversized knits with a chunky blanket scarf, turtlenecks in cable knit, and brown fleece or olive zip-up layers round it out.
The common thread is one loud piece, such as the scarf or a burgundy sweater, with everything else dark and plain.
