8 Outerwear Essentials

Boiled to Perfection

A boiled-wool topcoat is a lot like a veteran detective on a network crime procedural: tough as nails, full of depth and character, handsome, works surprisingly well with others, and seems to go on forever and never quit.



Wool topcoat ($4,545), wool cargo pants ($965) and wool pocket square ($185) by Brunello Cucinelli; wool jumper ($250) by A.P.C..

How It’s Done:

The Motorcycle Jacket: Reed, L

A Jack(et) of All Trades

Meet the Bo Jackson of outerwear – a multi-talented all-star, chock full of vigour and finesse. Fold down the lapels to wear it as a tasteful quilted blazer, or zip it straight to the top to take full advantage of its down-filled insulation when the temperatures reach bone-chilling lows. You can’t go wrong either way.



Quilted jacket ($240) by Banana Republic; leather gloves ($130) by Tiger of Sweden.

The One You Wait For

There are certain things in life whose desirability requires exactly zero explanation. The seductive curves of an Italian sports car, say, or the slow warmth of a well-aged whisky. Add to this list the perfect black-leather motorcycle jacket. Set your eyes on the right one – one that’s cut fitted, made from leather that feels at once supple and indestructible, furnished with gleaming, heavy-duty hardware, just oozing badassery – and it’s game over. You’ve got to have it. It’s an heirloom every man should own, and your time is now. Enjoy it.



Leather motorcycle jacket ($4,800) and wool pants ($590) by Gucci; cotton t-shirt ($360) by Lanvin.

Neoprene is a Thing Now

That stuff your scuba gear is made from is now a go-to outerwear material for a growing number of luxury designers. As strange as that might sound, it actually makes perfect sense: in addition to being waterproof and warm, neoprene has a sleek, minimalist look and inherent sci-fi feel that pairs perfectly with simple standbys like a classic white tee.



Hunter, $550

Strange Seas

As far as outerwear goes, a traditional naval peacoat is about as enduring and essential as it gets. The wide-lapelled, double-breasted silhouette looks good on just about everyone – which explains why more or less everybody you know owns one. But that shouldn’t dissuade you from getting in on the action yourself; it just means you need to be operating at a higher level. Eschew the surplus-store models in favour of offbeat tones and subtle designer details.



Wool peacoat ($1,550) by Gucci; wool-blend shirt ($235) by A.P.C.; cotton jeans ($320) by Michael Bastian; leather belt ($395) by Ermenegildo Zegna; wool fingerless gloves (Price Upon Request) by Rag & Bone; sunglasses ($130) by Saint Laurent.

Wool pea coat ($1,350) and leather shoes ($570) by Carven; wool mock-neck sweater ($670) by Gucci; cotton jeans ($235) by 3×1; leather belt ($290) by Lanvin.

Two Ways: The Quilted Vest

On chilly fall days, there’s no layer more useful than a slim, down-filled vest: pop it over a heavy-knit sweater for an extra hit of warmth or wear it beneath a sportcoat or suit jacket to beef up your tailored wear.



Flannel vest ($230) by Tommy Hilfiger; wool cable-knit sweater ($735) by Moncler Gamme Bleu; wool cargo pants ($965) by Brunello Cucinelli; suede hiking boots ($760) by Dries Van Noten; sunglasses ($235) by Boss Eyewear.

Two Ways: The Quilted Vest

Wool-cashmere-silk down vest ($2,920), wool-cashmere blend, one-and-a-half-breasted suit ($5,480), cotton oxford shirt ($555), wool tie ($265) and wool pocket square ($185) by Brunello Cucinelli; wool-cashmere socks ($35) by Falke; leather brogues ($775) by Burberry Porsum.