Are you planning to wear a suit this winter? Whether for business or leisure, you'll need to ensure that it offers an adequate amount of protection against the cold weather. While some regions experience colder winters than others, you'll probably encounter days during the winter season when it's brutally cold. And if you don't take the necessary precautions with your suit, you could have a long and hard winter ahead of you. The good news is that there are ways to stay warm when wearing a suit during the winter.
Bundle Up With an Undershirt
In addition to a dress shirt, consider wearing an undershirt with your suit. Undershirts, as the name suggests, are worn "underneath" your main dress shirt. As a result, they typically aren't visible, meaning no one will even know if or when you wear an undershirt. Don't let that fool you into thinking an undershirt doesn't serve any purpose, though. Even though undershirts are concealed when worn, they are still useful, especially during the winter.
With an undershirt, you'll have an extra layer of material to protect against the cold winter weather. The undershirt will reduce the rate at which your body loses its heat. In turn, you'll stay warm and comfortable when wearing an undershirt; just remember to wear a traditional button-up dress over it.
Wear a Waistcoat Over Your Jacket
Another way to stay warm is to wear a waistcoat over your suit jacket. A waistcoat, of course, is an essential component of a three-piece suit. While two-piece suits consist of just a suit jacket and matching trousers, three-piece suits include a waistcoat.
What is a waistcoat exactly? It's a type of sleeveless vest that's worn in conjunction with a suit. After putting on your dress shirt -- as well as undershirt, assuming you wear an undershirt -- you can put on your waistcoat. You can then put on your suit jacket over the waistcoat.
Waistcoats are worn primarily for aesthetic purposes. They typically feature a different color or pattern than your suit jacket. By wearing a waistcoat, you'll create a more dynamic outfit that's guaranteed to attract compliments. Furthermore, a waistcoat will create another layer of protection between your body and the cold winter weather. While wearing a waistcoat alone probably won't suffice to keep you warm during the brutally cold winter days. But if you follow the other tips listed here, it can certainly help to keep you warm and comfortable.
Choose a Wool Suit
Some suits are warmer than others. If you're worried about the cold winter weather causing your discomfort, choose a
wool suit. Wool, of course, is a textile consisting of fur from sheep, goats or other animals. It's comprised of protein with a small fraction of lipids (fats). Technical jargon aside, wool is an exceptionally soft and warm material that's become particularly popular for men's suits. Wool suits have a supple texture that doesn't scratch or irritate the skin. More importantly, they offer a superior level of thermal insulation to protect against the cold winter weather.
Toss a Sweater Over Your Jacket
You can always toss a sweater over your suit jacket to stay warm during the winter season. Some men assume that sweaters should
not be worn with suits. The truth, however, is that it's perfectly fine to wear a sweater with a suit -- you just need to choose the right type.
If you're going to wear a sweater with a suit, make sure it matches. Your sweater doesn't have to feature the exact same color as your suit, but the two items should flow cohesively together without clashing. If you're wearing a black suit, consider wearing a gray sweater. If you're wearing a chocolate brown suit, consider wearing a tan or beige sweater. Keep in mind that you'll need to wear the sweater over your dress shirt, as well as an undershirt, but under your suit jacket.
Don't Forget the Winter Accessories
Wearing the right winter accessories in your suit outfit can make a world of difference in your warmth and comfort. A pair of gloves, for example, can prove useful during the winter season. If you stay outside for an extended period during the winter, your fingers may get cold. You can keep them warm, however, by wearing a pair of gloves.
A scarf is another accessory to consider wearing during the winter. Scarves are often worn for aesthetic purposes, but they can prove invaluable during the winter thanks to the warmth they offer. You can wrap a scarf around your neck, as well as your ears, from the cold weather. Scarves are easy to take on and off, so they won't interfere with your daily activities.
Choose Boots Rather Than Shoes
Rather than wearing traditional dress shoes with your suit, consider wearing boots. Although there are exceptions, most boots are both taller and thicker than shoes. In turn, boots offer greater warmth than traditional shoes.
Here are some tips on how to choose the right winter boots for a suit:
- Stick with leather. Leather boots offer the perfect combination of warmth, durability, aesthetics and comfort.
- Choose boots in the same color as the belt with which you intend to wear your suit.
- Make sure your boots have a formal or semi-formal appearance (don't choose casual boots to wear with a suit).
- Regardless of which boots you choose, wax them on occasional to preserve their original appearance.
Wear Thicker Socks
Wearing the right socks can make a world of difference in your comfort level. You'll lose a substantial amount of body heat through your feet if you wear thin socks. Boots can certainly help, but they aren't always enough to keep your feet warm. Instead, it's recommended that you wear thick socks with your boots. A pair of thick wool suit will keep your feet warm
