Ask Harry: Ian Rosen Talks Transitional Outerwear, Winter Accessories, and All-Season Shoes
Sharp & Harry Rosen
In this installment of “Ask Harry“, Ian Rosen discusses transitional outerwear, and what cold weather accessories are a must have this year.
Fall can be a tough season to dress for. What are the transitional outerwear pieces that work hard and look cool?
Fall really is a season of unpredictability, so it’s best to have great outerwear options that complete your outfit. A city coat is a wise investment — something you can wear to work over an unstructured sports jacket or with a pair of jeans and a sweater on date night. I just picked up a great reversible wool city coat in mid grey and tan from Eleventy, but our team always brings in such an amazing selection in different weights, patterns, and textures from BOSS, LBM, Canali, and more.
The vest continues to be the ultimate layering piece all year round, but fall is really where it’s a wardrobe staple. A lightweight option from Parajumpers is perfect for a morning stroll to the coffee shop, and MooRER has a number of options that are great for your work-from-anywhere wardrobe. You can also never go wrong with a statement piece from Thom Browne, Tom Ford, or Ermenegildo Zegna.
You never know when it’s going to snow, and I want to replace my ratty old winter coat. What’s a major upgrade in the parka department?
Investing in a great parka reminds me of getting a new car: the new models have so many hidden features and functions you never knew about on day one. Whether it’s hidden pockets, sleeve cuffs that double as gloves, interior straps that let you wear the coat as a backpack, or fleece lining in the side pockets to keep your hands warm, you can see just how well-designed these coats are for winter. We are extremely excited about Montreal-based company Kanuk, which pairs sleek, fashionable design with serious warmth. The new Crofton series from Canada Goose is incredibly lightweight and adds a new dimension to its winter lineup, and we always see great fusion of high fashion and function from our friends at Mackage.
What about footwear that holds up in any weather?
No matter the weather, I’m out the door first thing with my dog, Champ, for a walk around the block, so a pair of technical boots is always at my front door. My Pajar high-tops and Swims City Hikers are easy to slip on, and they ensure I stay on my feet on ice — or when Champ decides to peel off and chase a squirrel. There is a great selection of technical boots and hikers that has just hit our stores, including a selection from Diemme, whose hikers are iconic around the world — a new brand to us. Boots also have a role to play in a more formal work wardrobe. I spend the winter in a pair of brown high-tops from Brunello Cucinelli or Santoni; functional Vibram soles ensure they are ready to hold up to a Canadian winter. We are all likely to be outside a lot again this winter, so be sure to invest in keeping those toes warm!
Finally, what are the cold weather accessories I need to know about?
I never used to wear a toque because it would ruin my hair for the day, but since I stumbled upon the clay pomades from Firsthand Supply and Baxter of California that let me redo my hair through the day, I can finally keep my ears warm! I love the fit and colours from Le Bonnet and Colourful Standard, which will be a big feature for us this winter. Don’t forget to keep your hands warm even when you’re texting; the selection of Hestra, Ermenegildo Zegna, Harry Rosen, and Canada Goose leather and cashmere gloves all have a touchscreen-sensitive index finger so you can avoid putting your gloves in your mouth or — even worse, behind you on the ground!
BRAND SPOTLIGHT
Aller Retour
Aller Retour is a French term for “round trip” and this brand’s commitments are to redefining leisure wear and encouraging social responsibility — both of which are at the core of its new collection.
Who We Are
Aller Retour is a proudly Canadian-owned clothing company with the vision to redefine leisure wear one piece at a time. Aller Retour thrives on creativity, passion, and a belief in being part of something greater. Each piece is designed with a powerful message that aligns with the brand’s values and empowers the person who wears it.
Making Responsible Fashion
At Aller Retour, we recognize the key role brands play in promoting positive change. Creating a sustainable wardrobe that marries authentic high-end lifestyle wear with responsible fashion is how we aim to redefine the industry. The blueprint of our new Fall collection of limited-edition t-shirts, hoodies, and joggers is based on outstanding quality and ethically sourced materials. Garments that have something to say are what make the brand unique. Aller Retour is for the rebel, the nonconformist, and those who simply dare to let creativity take the reins. We strongly believe in forming a community through clothing where like-minded individuals let their clothes express what lies within. We see a future where clothing transcends the basic silhouettes and brings people together to embrace positive change, and where creativity flows freely, as creating is in our DNA.
