7 Tips on How to Dress Warm When Wearing Formal Clothing

In a perfect world dressing sharp should be easy.

Wouldn't it make a guys life so much simpler not having to worry about what to wear …..especially when the weather is cold!

I know I enjoy travelling for personal and work related events.

However I know for some that going to a cold destination can be harsh – as in you get off the plane and freeze your butt off harsh 🙂

Very quickly you realize how difficult it is to wear a suit without feeling like an ice cube.

Let's fix this!

Click Here to Watch The Video – Dressing Warm In Formal Clothing On YouTube.

Here is a list of 7 tips you can use to fight the cold and look great in the process.

#1 Invest in a Heavy-Weight Long Jacket

This is an important one.

Purchase a long jacket that possess the following elements:

Made with a heavy weight fabric. Ideally wool.
Lined with a wind proofed, soft shell material.
Ability to wick away moisture (nice to have)
Ability for the collar to be flapped up to protect your neck
Full-buttoned or zippered lining to ensure enclosure of your entire torso

The jacket itself should be lengthy, extending to cover your knees. This will ensure that a good portion of your body is well protected from the cold climates.

Although a pricey purchase, a jacket of with these features will be more than worth it and should be considered a smart investment during the winter months.

#2 Invest in a Pair of Winter Boots

Your feet are susceptible to freezing compared to many other parts of your body.

A study done by Dr. Eccles confirms this, stating that our feet are at a higher risk as it's easy for cold weather to cut off blood circulation from the rest of our bodies.

The good news is that there are winter boots in market that specialize in freezing winter conditions.

When in the market for a pair of winter boots keep in mind the following must-haves:

Zip Up or Fastening Mechanism – The boots should contain a way to enclose your foot keeping you protected from the wind and securely fastening you to them.
Insulation – High quality boots have interior lining that is fully insulated. This will reduce wind to seep through the construction and ensure you retain heat from within.
Higher Up Off the Ground – Insulation works vertically as well. A minimal raise of a quarter-inch to an inch will distance you from the ground which can often be extremely cold and full of ice. Men who stand or walk for long periods of time will find great benefits from this.

Stick with either black or brown winter boots to ensure optimal matching with items in your existing wardrobe.

#3 Protect Your Head, Neck and Hands

Often ignored by men in the winter months but areas of the body that should be protected.

Each of these body parts don't take up a large area but have the tendency to make us feel cold all over if not protected.

Here are our recommended products for each of the 3 areas of your body:

Your Head – A watch cap would be all you need to protect your head from the cold. Stick with one made from knitted wool fabric in neutral colors such as charcoal, light grey or black. For those of you who live in really cold areas and Ushanka is always an option to protect the sides of your head and in some cases your face.
Your Neck – A great way to protect yourself from the cold and look stylish in the process is the scarf. Scarves come in all sizes and lengths and you can tie them different ways with each of them having their own strengths and weaknesses. Take a look at the infographic we created on 11 ways to tie a scarf for greater detail on this
Your Hands – Gloves are the obvious choice here but pay careful attention to which ones you select. Most of the formal gloves available are made of leather which is not very practical in the cold. Instead – look for gloves that have built in insulation on the inside and are longer to cover your wrists as well

#4 Wear Thermals

Thermal wear offers great protection against cold weather.

There are two ideal ways to add thermal into your outfits this winter.

The first is adding it to your casual outfits. Thermal clothing in a casual environment can be more loose fitting and can be the base, middle or outer layer of your outfit.
When wearing formal wear, it is recommended to wear a compression or fitted thermal shirt that athletes use. Fitted thermal wear should be used as a base layer only especially under a dress shirt and blazer.

#5 Pay Attention to Your Core

Your core is another key area to protect in the winter that is often neglected.

There are some little things you can do right now that can make a huge difference in offering you protection in the winter.

For one, consider wearing two pairs of underwear. The first pair can be a pair of briefs with boxers or boxer-briefs put overtop.

Continuing on this theme, there is nothing wrong with wearing multiple under shirts.

Protecting your core is all about layering. The great thing about layering is that you can always remove the additional articles of clothing if the weather warms up or if you work in a stuffy office.

#6 Try Winter Weight Suits & Shirts

Did you know that you can buy suits and shirts that are a little bit heavier?

Winter weight clothing is made specifically for cold conditions and are bulkier that the all seasoned varieties. A bulky shirt or suit provides protection from the wind and will enable you to wear a suit in the cold weather.

Another alternative is to wear a pair of flannel trousers. These timeless classics are great in cold weather without sacrificing on looking sharp.

#7 Pay Attention to Fabrics

Last but definitely not least is the role fabric plays in keeping you warm.

As a rule of thumb, wool is arguably the most effective fabric in the cold. You can pretty much get any article of clothing in wool so no need to worry about being limited.

Synthetic fabrics are an excellent alternative in the winter and should be layered with wool for added protection.

While common in menswear, you will want to limit the use of cotton. Cotton is a very versatile fabric with great breathability but does lack protection when the weather turns from cool to cold.

In conclusion – Being smart about your clothing decisions can make dressing formal in the cold possible.

Want more?

Click here to view our men's winter jacket infographic