Cold-Weather Essentials

How to Add Style and Warmth to Your Winter Wardrobe

Prepare for the cold snap!

It’s finally cooling down here in Manchester, and honestly, I’m glad about it. I’ve never done well in the heat, so it was no surprise when a heritage DNA test confirmed I’ve got a bit of Scandinavian blood—definitely no warm-weather ancestry here, and I’m more than fine with that!

Cooler days mean not only layering up and bringing out my favourite pieces but also more opportunities to experiment with styling.

Clothing becomes more intriguing, and brands start to combine style with technical enhancements—this is where you’ll often see designers really pushing boundaries and testing fresh ideas.

With that in mind, here are a few pieces I’ve recently added to my wardrobe or that I think would make a great addition to yours.

Love or Hate?

Like many of their pieces, this is one you’ll either love or hate. But it’s certainly worth noting as a strong example of the brand’s evolution and its take on enhancing a timeless design.

These are the Pápia Moc Boots by Aimé Leon Dore. They blend two iconic Americana staples: the duck boot and the moccasin, the rugged, treaded sibling of the classic American boat shoe.

I could have easily saved these for part 2 of my Rugged Ivy guide, but they’re a perfect fit for winter.

Originally designed by L.L. Bean in 1911 for hunting in wet, muddy conditions, they feature a rubber lower section to keep feet dry and a leather upper for flexibility and comfort. The name 'duck' stuck because, like a duck’s feathers, the boots help keep you dry in wet weather.

When combined with a classic moccasin, these boots become incredibly versatile. They look just as good in the city as they do in the great outdoors.

In terms of design, these are among the most interesting I’ve seen in a while. They’re not just another pair of duck boots or moccasins—they’re a fusion of both, and more.

Never a dull moment!

One common issue in winter is the lack of colour in what people wear. Now, I’m not suggesting you should dress in bright colours all the time, but adding just a touch of colour can brighten up your outfit and help individual pieces stand out—rather than blending into a sea of navys and browns. Hats and scarves are great for adding a pop of colour and keeping things interesting. The more options you have, the more looks you can create.

In the look above, you can see how I’ve used accessories to keep the outfit interesting. Let’s start with the base: I’m wearing a balmacaan coat, selvedge denim jeans, and mocs.

Now, for the accents: a J.Press X Aaron Chang cap in sky blue, a boat and tote by H.E Sports, and a college scarf. Without these accessories, the outfit would still work—but it would be pretty dull. The colour adds that extra interest.

As I mentioned earlier, rotating accessories daily gives the impression of a completely new look without changing your entire wardrobe.

I’m a big fan of college scarves. I’ve got a few in my collection and love pulling them out from the depths of my wardrobe. One side fleece, the other wool, they come in various colours and are insanely warm too.

Here’s another look that follows the same principles I mentioned earlier. The Balmacaan coat is the centerpiece, and I’ve swapped the rest of the pieces around. I’ve added a tartan scarf, HebTroCo cords, New Balance sneakers (great for adding colour), an oxford shirt by Trickett, and an Arlium Inc Baseball Cap.

I can’t tell you how happy I’ve been with these HebTroCo cords. I’ve had many pairs over the years, but none quite like these. They’re made from a chunky 8-wale cloth and crafted in East London (which would’ve made my Grandad proud). Not only are they tough as nails, but they’re incredibly comfortable too.

The style has a nice twist compared to regular cord trousers. They’re actually based on US military fatigue pants, which I’m a big fan of. The design combined with the comfort of cord makes these pants something fresh and unique. I’d highly recommend a pair.

Who needs a coat anyway?

I’ve mentioned this a few times in the blog, especially when talking about J.Press’ Shaggy Dog sweaters, but if you get the layering right, they’re often warm enough on their own, eliminating the need for a large coat.

The look below is one I wore recently for a quick coffee run. Since I knew I wouldn’t be out for long, I didn’t need a heavy coat—a vest worked just fine.

The vest is a Teflon Quilted V-Neck Vest by Japanese brand Audience. After a long search to find exactly what I wanted, I finally found it.

Another new addition to my wardrobe, just in time for the temperature drop, is two watch hats by Highland 2000. Based in the UK, their hats are designed and manufactured locally, and if it’s colour you’re after, you’ll definitely find it here.

They’re available in 12 different colours, but I went for caramel and Navy.

Be Bold!

My message is simple: be bold—not in the way an emperor sends warriors into battle, but through experimentation. Play with colours, build a palette, and test what works. Don’t be afraid to step away from the usual choices—that’s when the magic happens.