The temptation to throw on as many layers as possible and then just disguise the mess by throwing over a winter coat in the hope that no one will ever see is something we are all guilty of doing. With every building and center you come across being centrally heated it is impossible to keep on your outer wear without passing out, so anyone who clearly refuses to take off their winter jacket at the office is clearly hiding a major wardrobe mishap.
So to avoid finding yourself in a similar situation, here are a few key items that are essential for winter, both to keep out the winter blues and keep you looking great at the same time.

Knits
Chunky knits

The biggest winter must have this season is knitwear. We are not talking about your grannies old multi coloured knit jerseys you got every Christmas, although it must be said those will make a comeback very soon, we are talking about chunky knits that embrace the body with warmth and comfort. With the chunky knit it best to stick to one colour, as too many colours and pattern can be overpowering. For guys there are a variety of styles that are popular right now. There is the chunky plain or cable knit jersey with a polo neck, or the oversized style that zips up at the front. Both these styles can essentially replace the need of a jacket and for a casual weekend look the zip up variety is great with a hood and are sometimes double lined for that extra warmth.

Finer knits

If you are looking for the thinner variety, then the finer knitted jersey is an absolute must have. These can be teamed up with a shirt for work, or a long sleeved t-shirt on the weekend. It is better to go for a slightly fitted look when you teaming these up with a shirt, just because it creates a smarter look for the office, there must of course be a little room to breathe. Should you prefer a more layered look, team up two contrasting colours, with the top layer being slightly looser and the bottom layer a little longer so that you see both layers.

Winter jacket
A warm winter jacket is of course an essential. Black is the best colour to stick to, as it will go with anything you wear, and it’s also a hot colour for this season. Depending on your type of career, for a more formal corporate environment the longer knee length trench coat variety is better. It can be worn with a suit and generally creates a smarter look when teamed with a pair of boots and smart pants.
For a more casual look, the military style jacket is hot. It doesn’t necessarily need to be khaki, a black or grey military style jacket with pockets and zips will create a perfect weekend look when teamed with a pair of jeans or casual pants and funky trainers.
To add your own personal twist why not add on some badges or get a vintage image embroidered onto the back of the jacket.

Scarf and gloves
Probably the first accessories that come to mind when you think of winter are a scarf and a pair of gloves.
Scarves generally look better in a longer length and chunky knit, and are an absolute key winter piece. Sticking to neutral colours such as grey and black is always your best bet, but if you want to add a little colour to your outfit, then a striped scarf would be great. For something a little simpler go for a plain bright colour, like blue, cream or green.

When it come gloves, it is not essential to match them with your scarf unless you happen to come across a tastefully matching set. Otherwise it is probably best to invest in a great pair of lined leather gloves. Not only will they last longer but also you get the warmth and they look better the older they get. For a more casual look, then a knitted or felted pair will do the job perfectly.

Boots
To keep your feet warm, a good pair of leather boots is a must have. Guys tend to go for a pair of shoes, but boots this season are a key fashion item. Not only do you get more protection for your feet, a great pair can really make a statement. There is a vast amount of options out there, but the biggest trend would be the ankle boot, with a slightly pointy rounded front. You can go for a simple plain pair, or if you want a little more character, there are styles that already have an aged antique look with prominent stitching detail that is reminiscent of the type of boots worn in an Oliver twist movie. The older the pair of boots, the better the look they create for a funky casual look with jeans. Wearing in a pair of boots the funkier the look when teamed with a pair of jeans for the weekend.

Hats
Hats are a key accessory this season and we are not talking about the traditional woolly hat. Anything really goes, whether it’s a bowler hat, cap or Stetson. There are plenty of funky modern interpretations of classic hats, and this is one area where the rules are really quite open. A popular style is the classic golf hat, with so many contemporary interpretations available when teamed up with a suit or jeans they create a cheeky playful look. When choosing a hat play around with colours and fabrics to make your own individual statement. You need to try on as many as you can, and find one that feels comfortable and suits your face. Hats are not only a great fashion accessory but of course keep your head warm, and a great hat can instantly transform an outfit.

Key colours for winter
Key colours for winter are Grey, Black, Mustard, and Purple.

Black of course has made a huge comeback. Although it is a classic colour and often always the backbone of most people’s wardrobes, we have seen in the last few years it taking a backseat, while brighter warmer colours have been a major focus in the fashion industry. But black is back with a vengeance, and a lot of designers doing complete black outfits for the catwalk.
Grey still continues to be a great colour for winter and particularly for guys the darker tones such as the slates are huge, particularly if you are looking for a softer look than black.
For a bit colour, mustards and purples are key colours for this season, with purple playing the biggest role. Don’t shy away from wearing a full colour item of clothing, but if you want a more subtle interpretation there are plenty of options that combine two colours, for example grey and purple with stripes. The grey, which is more conservative and purple a key colour for this season. You still have colour but a lot easier to wear for the more conservative guy.

Patterns
Patterns are huge this season, and these come in the form of prints and knitwear patterns such as striping and the classic Argyle knit with the diamonds. There are so many creative prints out at the moment, many of which are reminiscent of graffiti art or tags you see in the street. Just as the street art is a creative form so are many of the prints and they are great for a weekend look. These prints are also not limited to your more traditional casual items such as t-shirts, but you find some blazers and jackets with the prints on.

Stripes are still huge, whether knitted or printed. The only difference from last season to this one is that the stripes are slightly thinner. But overall the stripe is still key. The stripe is an easy pattern to wear, and the most commonly found is the horizontal stripe. Play around with different colour combinations to create different looks.

The checkerboard is also big and I think this will feature a lot more next season, but there are still many options on the market right now. From your classic lumberjack style shirt to the chessboard knits. But in terms of pattern the Argyle (diamond) is key this season. From the traditional Argyle to the looser interpretations, you cannot not walk past a store without seeing one.

From the SimStylist team.