Winter Wardrobe Essentials Checklist for Men Over 60
Fashion is a fickle thing. Seasons change; what is “in” one day is “out” the next. Style, however, is a different matter.
If you hope to look sharp for the winter, there are a few “must” and quite a few things to avoid.
Now you might think that it’s time to get casual, but that does not mean ditching your tailoring altogether. Does it?
A chic blazer and smart chinos will be your wingmen from now on, as they will look suitable for pretty much every occasion.
Age is meant to make you more experienced in these matters, not conservative; even so, modification is sometimes necessary.
Even if you haven’t before, you may have to choose straight-cut trousers that can accommodate a fuller thigh now – and there’s nothing wrong with that. The last thing you need is to squeeze anything into tight pants.
So choose comfort and keep your lower body warm with a solid fabric, straight-cut corduroy or denim. However, we are not recommending baggy pants either.
Keep in touch with your tailor because a well-fitting outfit is our first “must.”
Despite the ever-changing trends in fashion, certain men’s clothing is always a must, and you can order everything mentioned in this list online using your smartphone.
Before moving on to the checklist, let’s watch this video that shows casual and stylish winter wardrobe essentials. Although it is from the YouTube channel of 40 Over Fashion, the tips are useful for seniors over 60 too.
Contents
Recommended Winter Wardrobe Essentials
Following up are the recommended winter wardrobe essentials for men over 60.
First Things First, Flannel Shirts
Flannel shirts seem linked to outdoor enthusiasts, don’t they? The fabric is one of the warmest layers, which almost always looks great on men. Ones in check patterns are particularly favoured, becoming associated with cold-weather style.
Rollnecks
The skin on the lower half of our face might get a bit loose as we get older. Now between surgery and a rollneck, which sounds like a better choice?! A well-fitted dark rollneck can fix things in a second. Slip them under your blazers and suits for extra warmth. Trust me, it will give you a sophisticated, edgy, and mysterious look.
Quality Wool Overcoat
It is wise to look for clothes that will give your body an extra bit of structure, define your shoulders and emphasize your height. When the temperature drops, a warm and stylish wool overcoat is necessary, don’t you think?
A black or navy overcoat cut from quality wool will form the cornerstone of any self-respecting winter wardrobe.
Pair it with black jeans and a black crewneck, and you are good to go.
A good one will probably last you for 5 or 6 years, so think about investing in a quality coat here.
Trench Coat
Never had one? It seems like an excellent time for getting one, then. It’s sure to keep you warm and dry when it’s pouring outside.
A trench coat is a timeless, sophisticated fashion choice, and it is one of the few types of outerwear that looks good with formal clothing and suits since it’s long enough to cover suit jackets comfortably.
Leather Jacket
Leather and denim know no age. Be bold and go for it.
A beautifully made, timeless black leather jacket is an absolute “must” for winters, and it can be a great top layer as it protects you from chilling winds.
There are many ways you can wear it with almost anything, and it usually lasts for a very long time.
Padded Jacket
A bit of weatherproofing seems like a wise idea for winter. A lightweight padded jacket will keep the cold out in transitional months and can be easily stored away in a bag whenever not in use. Opt for one in a brown or olive shade for a guarantee that it’ll go with any outfit.
Blazer
One of the most useful winter wardrobe items is a blazer. For a sophisticated and smart look, go for a neutral woollen blazer. It will keep the warmth intact and add a vintage charm to your whole look.
Cable Knit Sweaters
When it comes to sweater season, there are plenty of choices. From cardigans and turtlenecks to everything in between, take your pick. But if there is one thing that truly reflects the snowy season most, it is the richly textured cable knit sweater.
Winter Boots
Your ultimate winter “must” is an excellent pair of boots. There’s a lot to adore about this sturdy footwear, but their real winning quality is the style and comfort they provide.
When your front yard is blanketed in five inches of snow, you simply can’t walk out in your everyday shoes that don’t have sturdy rubber outsoles, extra insulation, and waterproof uppers. Your safety and style are both in danger here. In these times, a pair of good boots is the most practical solution.
A Pair of Gloves
Yes, you probably have pockets in your coat, but that is not enough. In a difficult winter, you simply need a quality pair of gloves. Remember that your skin is now more sensitive to cold, and mixing warmth with style is precisely the point of this article.
Scarf
Why wouldn’t you fight the cold with a chic scarf? Ask any designer to make sure this accessory is a masculine, mature and stylish way to complete a winter outfit. Whether you wrap it around your neck or let it hang loose, it looks perfect either way.
The Bottom Line
The most important thing is not to get stuck in one style and update your wardrobe a bit every year if possible. With any luck, you have far more free time on your hands than before and a desirable expendable income. There is not much standing between you, finding your signature style and being the best version of yourself.
Great article, but you missed a fabulous item, didn’t you?
For me, there is nothing better than leather pants. They are very stylish; they are also the warmest thing I have found to wear in winter. They keep the warmth in, and although they are breathable, they keep the wind and moisture out better than any other fabric I have ever tried.
They go with EVERYTHING and look really cool.
I have four pairs to date, but always on the lookout for more colours of leathers, and I use them all the time.
Stay warm, be stylish, try leather!
Oh, I don’t know about leather pants. I mean, leather coats are fine, but we’re talking about outfits for men over 60 years old here. Wouldn’t leather pants be a little hard to wear? I think seniors would need a bit of effort wearing them, and that’s why it’s not an essential item.
I couldn’t agree more with the glove part.
I find that when my hands get really cold, I am miserable.
Have a pair of knit gloves for days that are only slightly cold. If where you live has days below 32ºF, have at least a pair of these gloves and a couple of thick mittens to put over the top, especially if you have to be outdoors for any length of time.
Some people seem to get by without much in the way of hand protection….I honestly don’t know how.
It’s a must for our age!
I’m in love with winter boots; they are an incredible choice for us because, besides being stylish, they’re fantastic for keeping us warm in winter. I prefer to wear my boots with a unique glove. Also, Being stylish helps us improve our mood and mental situation.
Tell me about it!! Style really is the only constant in life…
All my life, I’ve worked towards maintaining and creating my signature style; it keeps me sharp and easy to notice in social circles.
What you said about using fashion to improve our mood and mental health is absolutely true. I do feel happier and more energetic when I dress up, carefully choose my outfit items the night before going somewhere and hear compliments from my friends and family.
To anyone who’s just starting, you do not need brands; you need a basic knowledge of colours and shapes.
Oh, there’s nothing I love more than winter outfits. Yes, summers are cool too. But winter fashion is just on another level. There are so many choices and various styles, and all of them are cool, just like the winter season. I think a great addition to this post would be warm beanies or a stylish wool cap. I’m pretty sure other winter hats look stylish, too, but nothing comes to mind. Any ideas?
Maggie, I highly recommend Irish Tweed Wool Kerry Cap. A stylish yet warm hat that protects your ears and head from the cold.
Interesting list. Leather jackets are something that is a bit tough to pull off, though. They have a tendency to show off the “worst parts” of your body type. So, I would recommend everyone to be in no hurry to buy a leather jacket, particularly online, wait until you find “the perfect” leather jacket.
I tend to wear a lot of leather, to begin with. Leather belt, boots, watch strap and sometimes a leather hat.
I also have a body type that just doesn’t work with the standard trucker/biker jackets that you see in stores…but I buy the right stuff.
Leather jackets are about as great as you can get.
I hate the cold. I live in Toronto, where it can be -4 Fahrenheit or colder in the dead of winter.
Leather has been the only material that blocks the wind and traps in the warm body heat. So usually, I will wear a hoodie under the leather to act as an insulator. The current jacket I have had since 2011 and still going strong.
It is one of the rare materials that look better and better with age; they are sturdy and can be patched easily if must.
I’m not sure anyone can survive Canada without boots!
If you don’t know anything about them and are not sure what to get, I would suggest you go to Mark’s Work Wearhouse, tell them what you will use the boots for, and let them guide you for the local conditions. Let them instruct you about boot liners too. They have stores all over Canada and stock according to the local weather.
I would not suggest going to Walmart as there is no one to assist you, and you need to be able to judge the quality and essential features yourself.
Damn right useful!! Everything in this list is a must.
But if you’re from a warm climate, I suggest you don’t buy your winter jacket before you get to Canada. Weather is never quite like you imagine, and the jacket you get might be either too light or heavy.
I suggest you get to the city where you will stay, see what the people are wearing, and get something similar.
Get your money to a local person who makes coats and jackets by hand with tender love and care, especially for you. By doing this, you help promote local trade…
Don’t you think pairs of grey joggers are also needed? They’re cozy and easy to style, and I think every man should own one.
Trench coats are truly universal! They work well with almost any style, from formal to relaxed. So make sure to have one in your closet.
I also recommend adding them to your right spring outfits.
I’ve been obsessing over trench coats lately, but for some reason, my friends keep telling me that it will only ruin my style. I am constantly being told that wearing a trench coat will make people keep giving weird looks to me. I like a trench coat for its comfortability, warmth, and coziness.
At this point, I can’t make up my mind. These coats aren’t exactly cheap, and I could spend the money on other types of clothing. Should I take the risk and go for a trench coat, or should I spend the money on something safe and more conventional?
What kind of person ignores or forgets winter boots? If you have ever been in my position without boots in the middle of a snowstorm, you understand this item’s importance. :))
Haven’t you missed hats? Aren’t they a must-have in winter?
I suppose they are indeed part of anyone’s wardrobe for that season, but I would have been happier if you had mentioned some trendy styles of hats for men.
You’re right; hats are a must-have, and I seldom know anyone not having a pair of them in their closet. If you have time to kill, you could google trendy winter hats, and you’d see tons of web pages offering that.
Are leather jackets a must-have? I don’t think they’re in fashion anymore, especially for someone over 70; they could be more suitable for someone in their twenties or thirties. What about polo necks or turtle necks?
A leather jacket isn’t a good option for someone my age. With its style and bit of rock n roll edge, a leather jacket is too young to be worn by an older male. It’s okay to have some cool factor in your wardrobe, but there is a line where things like leather jackets don’t help this; they just hurt it. So, don’t you think a bomber jacket would be better?
Since my 30s, I have worn leather jackets. You know leather is not a trend. It is timeless. In any season or era, a genuine leather piece is considered stylish. Wearing leather has always made me feel more confident, strong, and masculine.
Leather jackets were once my favourite item, but I don’t like them anymore in recent years and feel it’s not trendy and not an essential thing. If you’re into leather and live in Canada, visit the website of Canada leathers and Tundra leather.