In this video, Ashley Weston breaks down winter jackets so that you can stay warm, build confidence, and turn heads.
She reviews outerwear options beyond basic bombers and truckers, which may not always provide enough warmth for hard winters. If you struggle with your fit, subscribe to Ashley’s YouTube channel and elevate your wardrobe IQ.
Top 7 Winter Jackets
For each jacket type, Ashley shares tips on choosing good colors, materials, and fits. She gives recommendations based on climate, body type, and personal preference. Take her advice to heart if you want to look and feel good. She can help you pick outerwear that balances functionality, comfort, and versatility.
Type | Use Case | Recommended Fabric | Style Tips |
---|---|---|---|
Chore Coats | Mild winters, e.g., Southern California | Canvas, denim, twill in a relaxed fit | Pairs with casual basics to rugged workwear |
Raincoats | Rainy climates, e.g., UK, Ireland, Canada | Technical waterproof fabrics | Streamlined, minimalist; neutral colors |
ParaJumpers | Everyday wear, rugged use | Thick, resilient nylon | Military-inspired; functional details |
Peacoats | Blustery winter days | Wool blend | Double-breasted; flatters most body shapes |
Puffer Jackets | Bitter cold, style priority | Lightweight, insulated materials | Minimalist; balance with outfit; slimmer styles |
Overcoats | Versatile top layer, heritage polish | Neutral black, navy, charcoal; wool blends | Relaxed fit for layering; styled open or closed |
Chore Coats
Chore coats are perfect for areas with milder winters, such as Southern California. The chore coat offers weather protection and a comfortable feel and is typically crafted from durable fabrics like canvas, denim, or twill in a relaxed fit.
Chore coats pair well with casual basics like t-shirts, henleys, and crew neck sweaters for relaxed daytime looks. But they can also lend a ruggedly refined edge to button-down shirts or shawl cardigans for an elevated workwear-inspired vibe from day to night.
Their versatility affords easy outfit options from jeans to trousers. For larger gents, chore coats are a strategically slimming choice to break up the body’s vertical line, providing a flattering oversized look when layered over heavy winter clothes. Here’s my top pick from HuckBerry:
Raincoats
A reliable raincoat is mandatory during the colder months for those in temperate regions prone to rain and moisture, like the UK, Ireland, and Canada. Avoid bulky rubberized options, which tend to appear boxy and dull. Instead, opt for a sharply minimalist trench coat or Mac jacket made from technical waterproof fabrics from brands like Arcteryx or Rains.
Stick to clean, simple raincoat styles without extra details, pockets, and zippers for a streamlined aesthetic. Choose subdued neutral colors like navy, black, charcoal grey, or hunter green over loud neons or prints, which can cheapen the look.
If you desire a touch of personality, a muted tonal check or herringbone weave offers subtle textural depth. Ensure your raincoat offers both weatherproofing and easy layering over chunky sweaters and jackets for the stormiest winter days ahead. Here’s my top pick raincoat from Mack Weldon:
ParaJumpers
Offering a more rugged take on the classic field or bomber jacket, these hybrid jackets from ParaJumpers fuse durability with a practical edge. They are crafted from thick, resilient nylon, designed to withstand heavy use and extreme conditions over time. This makes them a smart investment for everyday wear.
What sets pair jumpers apart lies in considered details like oversized bellow chest pockets to hold daily essentials or carabiner straps to attach keys and gloves. These functional accents optimize practicality without compromising on sharp military-inspired style. Stick to versatile base colors like navy, black, olive, or grey to complement other cold-weather outfit layers easily. This is Ashley’s top pick from ParaJumpers:
Peacoats
Look no further than the naval-inspired peacoat for a sophisticated solution to blustery winter days. A well-fitting peacoat flatters most body shapes for tall and stout gentlemen. The double-breasted front with pronounced lapels smartly offsets chunky scarves, while convertible button cuffs lend adaptability rolling up your sleeves.
As a versatile closet staple, integrate your peacoat atop casual gear like knits and jeans or dressier shirt-and-tie combos for dapper polish. And opt for a wool blend fabrication for warmth that still allows movement. For maximum versatility from urban errands to informal special occasions, identify this cold weather MVP in a dark navy or charcoal for regular wear. Here’s my top pick from Cole Haan:
Puffer Jackets
When bitter cold settles in but style is still a priority, lightweight puffer jackets deliver welcome insulation without engulfing your frame in bulky padding. Channeling a minimalist approach shuns oversized silhouettes and vibrant colorblocking, which tend to overwhelm. Clean edited puffer styles create balance, interplaying textural richness with elegant restraint.
For optimal finesse, puffer jackets must harmonize with the complete outfit vision. Focus on slimmer hybrid styles stopping neatly at the waist in a modern bomber length. And seek lighter tonal hues like stone, navy, or olive as a neutral base, allowing your other winter layers to shine.
Finally, ensure the jacket flatters your frame, allowing you to transition from the elements outdoors to dining in artfully. Here’s my top pick from, also from Huckberry:
Overcoats
An overcoat makes a sophisticated top layer, granting heritage polish to modern casual essentials and tailoring. Unlike constricting peacoats, an overcoat provides relaxed ease through the shoulders and sleeves, allowing insulating layers underneath. Its versatility also allows it to be styled in multiple ways based on the occasion.
Leave an overcoat single-breasted for wearing open and closed, punching up a sweater-jeans combo and granting cohesive flow over a suit. Identify your overcoat in neutral black, navy, or charcoal for maximum flexibility within winter wardrobe rotations.
Or make bolder declarations via textured outerwear in salt-and-pepper wool or a camel hair blend, both enduring investment options. Here’s my top pick from BYLT Basics: