Which of these outfits suits you depends on what is already in your closet: the Statement Coat or the Classic Long Wool Overcoat means buying one big piece, while the Crewneck Sweater with a Beanie runs on a sweater, boots and hat most men own, with no coat needed on milder winter days.
1. Statement Coat
A long black leather coat with a hood and a fur-lined interior is the loudest piece in a winter wardrobe, so everything under it should stay quiet.
A grey sweater and dark trousers do that job, and they are pieces most men already own.
Pick the coat as the one purchase that carries the outfit, and spend the rest of the budget on plain basics. Leather costs more than wool, so buy it once and wear it often.
I would skip a patterned scarf here. The coat already has plenty to say.
2. Classic Long Wool Overcoat
Black wool, a structured shoulder and a hem that falls well below the hip: that is the overcoat I would buy first. Under it, a white shirt and dark trousers cover work, dates and dinners without a second thought.
Leather gloves and dark dress shoes finish the look. Keep the shoes polished, since they sit right at the coat’s hem and get noticed.
Black wool is less forgiving of lint and dust than navy or grey, so a clothes brush is a cheap addition.
3. Crewneck Sweater with a Beanie
Brown knit crewnecks and green ribbed beanies share an earthy warmth, which is why the pairing works. Black trousers and brown boots keep it grounded, so the beanie reads as the single bright note.
This is the budget route in the list. A sweater, a beanie and boots you likely have already make a full outfit, and no coat is needed on milder winter days.
Keep the beanie the only bold color. A bright hat over a loud sweater would fight itself.
Layering Tips for Winter
Layering works best when each piece has one job: a thin base against the skin, a sweater for warmth, and a coat to block the wind. Knitwear, turtlenecks and button-downs all sit comfortably in the middle layer.
Texture does more than extra pieces. A turtleneck under a button-down, or a knit under a leather or suede jacket, adds depth without adding bulk.
Build from the inside out, and check that the sleeves of each layer end a little shorter than the one over it. If the coat feels tight once the sweater is on, the outfit will look stiff and feel worse.
Accessories are the easy final layer. A scarf, gloves and a hat can be added or removed as the day warms up.
Color Trends for Winter
Brown is the color to pay attention to this winter, and it shows up on jackets as often as on bags.
2 browns side by side can look accidental, but a worn-in leather jacket over a smooth knit in a different shade reads as a choice, because the texture does the separating.
Add a contrasting piece below the waist so the outfit doesn’t feel one-note. Gray tweed trousers are a good example.
If brown feels like a leap, a neutral palette is the safer route.
Ivory, camel, black and gray all pair well, and they look warm together. A sweater with real texture does the most work here, since the colors themselves are quiet.
Affordable Winter Fashion
Buy the staples where affordable brands do them best. Alex Mill is a good place for sweaters you can wear everywhere, Mango for outerwear, and J.Crew for well-tailored trousers.
Texture is a cheap way to look considered.
Corduroy pants, a shearling-style jacket or a Fair Isle sweater all add interest without a luxury price. A skinny scarf from Madewell is an easy small buy.
For boots, Banana Republic makes an alpine-style pair worth a look. Add one fun piece, such as a cherry-red crewneck.
Ahead, nine affordable winter outfits that are supremely stylish–no high price tag required.
— Vogue
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I wear in extremely cold weather?
Build from the inside out with 3 layers, each with one job: a thin base against the skin, a sweater for warmth, and a coat to block the wind.
Scarf, gloves and hat go on last, because they are the easiest pieces to pull off when the temperature climbs.
What is the 3-3-3 rule for clothes?
The rule isn’t covered here, but a similar idea is to build outfits from a few pieces that mix well.
In cold weather, that means a base layer, a sweater and a coat, with neutral colors like ivory, camel, black and gray that all pair together.
Keep one piece, such as a beanie or the coat, as the single bold item.
