By C.J Harte

Military Jacket

I am a massive fan of military style jackets. Whether they be the classic Parker or something a bit chicer, like a ¾ length double-breasted number. I am certainly not talking about a jacket a modern sniper would wear, because I don’t suffer from fragile masculinity.

You need something with max coverage when you are out at night in a wind-swept city, surrounded by concrete cold as ice. If you are popping out for a fancy dinner with that
special someone and want to keep things going with a cheeky little night cap, chances are
that your favourite little bar is 20 minutes’ schlep away. With a warm military trench coat,
you will be glad you have something that keeps you warm while you look magnifique. You
don’t always have to suffer for fashion, kiddies.

Newsboy Cap

If you are rocking a three-quarter length coat, go full Thomas Shelby, aka Peaky Blinder
style, and keep your head warm with a newsboy cap. I used to rock a fisherman’s beanie,
but as I have a svelte noggin and since I got my haircut, fisherman’s beanies make me look
like a cancer victim, hence why I now defer to the Newsboy cap.

My point is that your headwear needs to consider your head shape and haircut. News Boy Caps adds a bit of old-world élan. My tweed cap was handmade in Donegal, Ireland. I would suggest a larger style cap as the smaller ones often look cheap and are worn by balding, sweaty middle-aged men.
A larger size allows you to give it a bit more zhuzh with a sideways slouch, adding extra
swagger.

Button-up Shirt

It’s cold, so it’s a good reason to wear a nice long-sleeved button-up shirt. You can easily
wear a t-shirt or underneath and layer the hell out of things and avoid jumpers altogether.
You can’t go wrong with a white or black linen shirt, or you can try something that speaks
more to your personal style. Collar styles are also important. I generally like a button-down
Oxford collar, but now and again, I like to get wild with a gingerbread collar (rounded collar)
as a little bit of razzle-dazzle to counter the winter bleakness.

Skivvy/Polo neck shirt
These timeless classics come in various styles, including long and short sleeves and roll-
down collars. I can’t remember when they were last in fashion. And that is saying something
as these days I am old af. With these tops, it is important that the neck is springy and hugs
the neck nicely and tightly. A loose collar detracts from the shirt and makes you look like an
unemployed teacher who has psoriasis or worse strays into cowl region that either belongs at a medieval fair or on a suburban mum. These days, I prefer polo neck shirts to polo neck
jumpers as they are tighter and emphasise svelteness.

Tweed Jacket
The jewel of my wardrobe of late is my thrifted Yves Saint Laurent Tweed Jacket. It’s a bit
boxy and not fitted, but this only adds to its allure. Tweed jackets are classy and casual. A
jacket that is a little bit boxy emphasises its casualness. Also, boxy cuts are in. Don’t get me
wrong, there is still time and a place for a fitted jacket, but jackets like this have more
sprezzatura. I managed to pick this up second-hand and had been craving a jacket like this
for some time. The joy in finding it made me wonder if I had finally cracked the art of
manifesting. We live in a time of mass production. Everything is disposable. This can be
countered by old-world charm. The old warm charm is only burnished by things being
vintage.

I remember reading something recently stating, “You cannot wonder where
someone found such a strange or spectacular garment when you are in the same line for it.”
Also, lining up for things is v uncool