Winter Essentials 2021

Whether you love it or hate it, winter is upon us, but fear not! Because it’s time for a mood boost and a bit of winter gratitude. So, get the hot cocoa ready, because after watching this video, you’re going to the most stylish guy on the bunny slopes. See all my favorite selects for each of these items over on the private community.

Wool Trousers

First up is a pair of pants that are tailor-made for this time of year. The wool flannel trouser is a warm, comfortable, sharp and sexy pant that I put on all my clients during the cooler seasons. I love them because they can be dressed up or worn more casually.

I’d highly recommend them when you want to give denim a break but still want something season-appropriate. Go for a tapered fit and pair them with sneakers or boots in nearly any type of outfit and watch the compliments start pouring in.

Shawl Collar Cardigan

Speaking of warm and sexy, sweaters should be at the front of your closet now, so it’s time to reach for thicker, heavier options like a shawl collar cardigan. I love them because they’ll keep you warm, duh, but also allow you to create a bunch of new looks depending on how you pair them with the other items you own. Not only that, but they’re flattering on every body type. I recommend you grab a few in navy, gray, brown and black.

Just like crewnecks, they’re great worn over most shirts from t-shirts to dress shirts but the only caveat is if you’re a husky guy, leave them unbuttoned so they don’t shine a spotlight on your mid-section, but if you’re a thinner guy, feel free to wear them any way you like.

Wool Flannel Shirts

Flannel shirts pair well with all of the heavier seasonal fabrics you’ll be wearing now, so if you’re looking for a midlayer and a way to add some color, personality and patterns into your wardrobe, I recommend picking up a few.

Patterns are a great option, but if you aren’t sure how these will work for you, then definitely don’t neglect the solid color versions, as well. For winter, I’ll always advocate getting some classic jewel tone colors like: burgundy, green, mustard and blue. Just ensure those colors will work well with your skin tone.

Avoid Dry, Flaky Skin

During the colder time of year, there’s another essential element of your appearance that lots of men overlook. But not you, because hopefully at this point, you understand that looking your best isn’t just the shirts and pants you wear, but having chapped, dry, unmoisturized skin is a style faux-pas that is easily fixable with today’s sponsor, Geologie!

You may not think so, but cold-weather skincare is just as important as warm weather skincare. I cannot stress it enough! The cold, dry weather can be incredibly harsh on your skin and it strips away its protection, so it’s super important to cleanse and moisturize properly and stay hydrated on a daily basis.

Luckily, our friends at Geologie have you covered. Geologie puts together a simple, effective skincare routine that is specifically created and personalized to your skin’s needs. Because no two men are the same, Geologie works to identify your specific skin profile and matches it with a personalized regimen. Every Geologie set contains simple, science–based products with high–quality active ingredients that your body makes anyway, formulated by our renowned dermatologist and team of cosmetic chemists. No fads, no fillers, no compromises. Just real ingredients that work specifically for you.

My husband, Dorian, has been using their set that comes with 4 different products: Everyday Face Wash, Vital Morning Face Cream w/ SPF, Repairing Night Cream & Nourishing Eye Cream. It even includes 2 extra bottles of face wash, one for your sink and one for your shower or to take with you to the gym or when you’re traveling.

Use this special limited-time link to get up to 70% off your Geologie skincare routine purchase and get your skin looking better than it ever has before.

Chino Pants

Despite the colder temperatures, you still want to keep your options open when it comes to pants. This is why I’d suggest picking up a few heavier-weight chino pants in your standard navy, gray, brown and olive colors. Stores typically carry these options during this time of year, so if you have an inkling to get some and aren’t sure if they’re the correct fabric weight, then now would be the perfect time to get them. There’s also options that have flannel lining, so if you want a pair of pants that are super cozy and warm, explore those options, as well.

Heavy Jacket

Next up is probably the most important item you’ll own for the winter months – a jacket. I recently released a guide to my favorite styles of jackets for all climates, including Bombers, Puffers, Peacoats and beyond. Click here to check out that video, because below I’m only going to talk about heavier jackets you should consider owning.

Parka

With temperatures reaching below freezing in some climates, it’s important to have a warm, well-fitting, stylish parka jacket. I recommend investing in a high-quality one because, in my experience, you’ll absolutely get what you pay for here and cheap options can be inferior in construction and materials – leaving you more exposed to the elements. A high-quality parka will last for many, many years to come, keep you warm, and have you looking stylish, so if your budget allows, get something of quality.

Here’s a few things to consider when looking for a parka:

First is the length. Depending on your climate and how cold it gets determines how long your parka should be. The longer it is, the colder your climate. So you would wear a waist or hip-length parka if you were in an area that gets cold, but not too cold. Or if you were in a colder place, you’d wear a parka that hits your knees, or even past that. And if you live in a climate somewhere in the middle, go with a parka that hits mid-thigh.

In terms of colors: I love Navy, Black or Olive. One note is to make sure the material isn’t shiny. If I had to choose a color, I’d prefer Navy because it’s a very dark color, like Black, that will work well in nearly any outfit. I find black can sometimes look a bit jarring in such a big jacket.

As for fit, make sure your parka fits relatively well. That means the shoulders should fit snugly and the body should lightly hug your torso. When trying on parkas, make sure you’re wearing at least a sweater and shirt underneath so you can ensure it won’t be too tight when actually wearing it outside. Also, make sure to zip up that bad boy in case it feels too tight in the body!

For the lining, I prefer a down lining, but synthetic is also good. I always find down to be warmer, but as always, your mileage may vary.

The final note for a parka jacket is the detachable fur lining, which allows you to enjoy two different types of jacket for the price of one, allowing for more options when choosing an outfit. It’s a nice thing to have because it creates a slightly different look, so I like the option whenever possible.

As for style inspiration, the best way to wear your parks is over all of your heavy winter layers. Like you saw in the image above, I styled Dorian in a grey crewneck sweater, wool trousers, and wingtips. And of course, I threw on a scarf and some gloves.

Overcoat

Next up is a coat that is more formal in nature and typically requires you to wear more layers if it’s really cold in your area, but they look extremely polished and well put together when paired with some wool trousers and more business casual items. That’s not to say you can’t dress them down, either. The overcoat is definitely a versatile piece I would consider owning.

You’ll want to keep the design simple and clean with no unnecessary flourishes, which you’ll usually find with cheaper alternatives.

Like your parka, you want the coat to fit snug in the torso and arms while wearing a few layers underneath it, so don’t try one on without making sure it fits over those layers. If you wear suits and you’re not going to freeze to death without a thick parka, then an overcoat is absolutely the first jacket I would grab. Just make sure the jacket is long enough to cover the bottom of your suit jacket, otherwise, it will look off.

Peacoat

I’d say every guy, unless he lives in a tropical environment, should have a navy peacoat in his closet. It’s great for casual outfits all the way up to business casual since they are naturally less formal than an overcoat. If you live in a colder climate, it’s also great for warmer winter days and through the early parts of Spring. And if you live in moderate to warmer climates, like Southern California, a Peacoat would be your casual “winter” coat.

Turtleneck Sweater

You should definitely look into a turtleneck sweater for this season because if it’s good enough for James Bond it should be good enough for you!

Layered under your suit or a casual jacket, they instantly add a smart, polished touch to your outfit. Black, navy, charcoals, and greys are always a good bet, and even ivory turtlenecks can look good with the right outfit. So I’d definitely recommend considering one.

As for fabrics, wool and cashmere are the main options and I like both, so get whatever you budget will allow. Unless you already have the standard colors and styles of turtlenecks, I’d say keep the cable knit and other styles of turtlenecks as secondary options.

Now if you’re tall, thin and have a longer neck, a turtleneck is a no-brainer, and can be worn layered or by itself. Broader body types should layer a blazer or jacket over it, which frames your body and draws attention up to your neck and away from your belly. Otherwise, larger men should stick to other sweaters layered over a shirt, and you can always keep your neck warm with a scarf, instead.

Hope you enjoyed this one! Have comments or questions? Head over to the private community and let’s chat.

3 Boot Styles Every Man Should Own

Lace Up Boots

A good lace up boot is definitely a must-have in your shoe rotation.There’s 3 types of lace up boots that you should consider, based on how you’ll wear them or what look you’re going for:

  • Work or Casual
  • Dress
  • Mixed Materials (we’ll call them Fashion boots)

The Work Boot

A work boot adds a rugged, masculine touch to your casual outfits and typically has a chunkier profile and more rugged sole, which you obviously want for added grip in rain or snow.

The Dragon boot by Taft. Click the picture for details.

Unless you’re going for a specific look, work-style boots shouldn’t be worn with your more dressed-up looks because the profile is more geared toward casual outfits. If you want a more rugged boot that looks more worn in, then highly recommend the above Taft work boots. The overall look of the leather, along with the chunkier rubber sole will compliment your casual layered looks during the Fall and Winter. The darker brown color a my favorite because it can easily be worn with your earthy/fall colors or black outfits as well. Here’s a great way to style the Dragon boot in an outfit:

 

 

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Dress Boot & The Two-For

This type of boot adds a sleek, sexy and sharp touch to your more elevated outfits.

The Rome boot by Taft. Click the image for details.

Notice how the profile is less “bulbous” and the sole a little thinner than the casual boot? That’s one of the ways you can distinguish a dress and casual boot (the type of soles also determines this.)

If you’d like a dress boot that can also work with casual outfits, I recommend getting a boot with tumbled leather, like the image above, which enables it to work in both casual and more elevated, dressy outfits. The texture adds just a hint of casualness to the boot, this is why it is able to work with both situations. The sole can be either leather or a thin rubber profile like a Dianite sole. This specific boot comes in a variety of colors, so choose whatever you prefer, but we’re always going to be partial to black and brown. A simple, classy way to style this boot is like this:

 

 

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The Fashion Boot

If you want a boot with personality, then getting something with mixed materials is perfect.

The Holt Boot in Espresso by Taft. Click image for details.

There’s a ton of “fashion boots” out there that incorporate materials like tweed, suede, and wool in their leather boots. I love these tweed one’s by Taft that Dorian’s wearing in the image below because they’re the perfect balance of style and trendiness without being tacky. Wear these with jeans, wool trousers, chinos and suits whenever you want to inject a bit of flourish into an outfit.

 

Chelsea/Slip-On boots

There’s two designs to your Chelsea boots

  • The classic Chelsea that you’ve come to know and love.
  • The Jodhpur which is recognizable by it’s wrap around strap and buckle detail.

Let’s start with your classic Chelsea design – Suede Chelseas pair well with your casual Fall/Winter looks, as the texture compliments the thicker materialed clothing you’ll be wearing during the chillier months. But opt for leather Chelseas if you want a dressy pair as the leather’s sleekness invokes formality.

As far as Jodhpur’s, the same rules apply as far as suede vs leather. These are great if you want something different than your standard Chelsea boots, but they’re virtually the same in how you style them, so just go for whichever style and materials you like best.

Here’s the links to the 3 boots:

Outback | Hiro | Dylan

 

Here’s a great way to wear these types of boots, there’s also a few other pictures featuring the Outback boot on the Instagram account:

 

 

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Chukka Boots

Consider these as a great casual shoe option when you don’t want to wear sneakers or full lace-up boots.

The Milliken Chukka by Johnston & Murphy

They’re certainly faster to put on than lace up boots, so if ease is what you’re after than consider these. As far as styling goes, chukkas really shine when worn with chino pants and jeans. A medium to dark brown and black are fantastic starter choices and then from their you can experiment with color.

Here’s a great way to style your chukka boots:

 

 

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Men’s Minimalist Summer Wardrobe

Chino Pants

Tan & Navy

Favorite 1 | Favorite 2 | Favorite 3

Polo Shirts or T-Shirts

Navy & Heather Gray

Polo Favorite 1 | Polo Favorite 2

T-Shirt Favorite 1 | T-Shirt Favorite 2

Linen Long Sleeve Shirts

White & Navy

Favorite 1 | Favorite 2

Low-Top Sneakers

White or Blue

Favorite 1 | Favorite 2

Woven Belt

Dark Brown

Favorite 1 | Favorite 2

Leather Penny Loafers or Suede Driving Mocs

Brown

Driving Moc Favorite 1 | Driving Moc Favorite 2

Penny Loafer Favorite 1 | Penny Loafer Favorite 2

Lightweight blazer

Blue

Favorite 1 | Favorite 2

No-Show Socks

Navy

Favorite 1

Perlon Watch Strap

Navy & Brown

Favorite 1

Baseball Cap

Navy

Favorite 1

Panama Hat

Favorite 1 | Favorite 2

Sunglasses

Tortoise Shell Brown

Favorite 1 | Favorite 2

Chino Shorts

Navy

Favorite 1 | Favorite 2

Swimtrunks

Navy

Favorite 1 | Favorite 2

9 Summer Accessories Every Man Must Have In 2020

We’re going to briefly go over the essential Summer accessories every man should consider grabbing for this time of year. If you haven’t downloaded the free Summer Ebook, you’re missing out!

 

Woven Belts

With your warm-weather outfits, there’s nothing that looks better than a woven belt. Either in leather or fabric. For a little extra casual flair, get the belt a little longer and let it dangle a bit. As for colors, you can have some fun with them and get some browns, navy or even gray options.

The Tie Bar | Uniqlo

Chain necklace

David Yurman | John Hardy

Tote Bag

L.L.Bean | J.Crew

Sunglasses

We talked about it in our  Summer Style Mistakes Video and now it’s time to pull out the brown/tortoise shell and/or colored frames to go with your lighter-colored clothing.

Warby Parker | Oliver People’s

Hats

Ball caps

Everlane

Panama Hat

Brooks Brothers | Ted Baker

Slim Cuff/Bracelet

Since you’ll be wearing more short-sleeved items or rolling up your shirt sleeves, it’s time to bust out the wrist jewelry.

Miansai

Fun socks or No-Show Socks

Happy Socks | Uniqlo

Loafers or slip-on sneakers

Whether you go a little more polished and formal with a leather penny loafer of suede driving moc or a pair of slip-on sneakers, it’s the beginning of slip-on season!

Tods | Vans | Kenneth Cole |

Fabric or colored watch straps

If you’re not a jewelry guy, then swapping your watch bracelets or straps for fabric, suede or even rubber straps is a fun, quick and easy way to enhance an outfit and change up the appearance of your watches.

Great Budget Straps

11 Men’s Summer Wardrobe Essentials for 2020

These are our favorite Summer Wardrobe Essentials you should grab for this time of year. Below are our favorite picks for each item discussed in the video. If you haven’t checked out our detailed Summer Essentials Ebook, you’re missing out!

Short sleeve Shirts

Uniqlo | H&M | Brooks Brothers

Sneakers

Koio | Converse | Adidas

Linen Long Sleeve Shirts

Uniqlo | The Tie Bar

Loafers

Tods | Kenneth Cole | Allen Edmonds

Bomber Jacket

Uniqlo

Polo Shirts

The Tie Bar | H&M

Sweater

Brooks Brothers

Chinos

Uniqlo

No-Show Socks

Bombas | Uniqlo

Watch Straps

Dorian’s favorite place for cheap straps.
He specifically likes the perlon, cloudy perlon and canvas straps.