The best men’s winter coats to see you through a cold spell in style

Phrases such as “cold snap” and “cold front” are already being bandied about by even the most amateur of meteorologists. And when it comes to winter coats – that most important item of outerwear – the best play is always to be proactive, rather than reactive. Sourcing a toasty-warm, windproof and water-resistant insulated jacket ahead of the cooler months ahead not only means you’ll be good to go when that first frosty morning comes, but you’ll also get plenty more bang for your buck should you be making a high-end designer investment.

Whether you’re opting for a parka, down jacket, winter jacket or a suave wool-blend peacoat, the best men’s winter coats can be a chic saviour for your wardrobe after a summer spent in sweat shorts and T-shirts that have long lost their shape.

Most important of all, if you get this investment right, you can put this search on hold for the next few years. Easier said than done with a seasonal roster of new trends, but excellent outerwear is always best done timeless. All our picks will serve you well for the next five years of winter weather and look good doing it, but before you dive in, here are a few things to consider.

What are this season's biggest winter coat trends?

Looking through the early morning fog of fashion trends this season, we saw an overarching lean towards smarter trench coat silhouettes, Matrix-style leathers and neutral Werther’s Original colour palettes when it came to outerwear. But that’s not to say that timeless heavyweight wool coats, nor those more Arctic-protective down-filling technical jackets are going out of style anytime soon. From the affordable rails of Reiss and Uniqlo to the runway-exhibited grails of Gucci, Dunhill and Celine, high street and fashion houses alike deal in every kind of winter coat these days, so in the end, it all comes down to personal taste.

Which jacket types are best for extreme cold?

If you're the kind of person who refuses to turn on your home's central heating as a matter of eco-minded principle then know that ski jackets are by no means reserved for La Rosiere powder. These hard or soft-shelled coats come insulated to the nines, primed for especially damp and cold weather. One down from ski jackets and slightly more easily styled, synthetic and down-fill puffer jackets provide that duvet-day cosiness, increasingly available in opinion-dividing ankle-length silhouettes, while shearling jackets can offer that extra snug, tactile feel. If you want to retain some semblance of sartorial smarts, a pea coat, duffel or overcoat will serve you just fine in Blighty, just make sure your layering game is on point and ensure you have a scarf, beanie and gloves covered.

How do I wash a winter coat?

Unfortunate meeting with a pigeon? Or splashed on your way into town? No problem, all the best winter jackets can be cleaned without too much fuss. That said, you can hardly expect a down parka, fleece jacket or faux fur number to have the same kind of washing instructions, and thus, the key to cleaning a men’s winter jacket is this; always read the individual piece’s care instructions. Usually located on the inner left-hand seam, the care label should tell you exactly how to clean your piece and when. No label? The piece’s website entry should be able to provide some care details.

Best puffer jackets | Best ski jackets | Best raincoats | Best trench coats | Best dressing gown coats | Best black overcoats | Best fleeces | Best gilets

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