Winter fashion doesn’t have to entail wearing oversized parkas designed for sub-zero temperatures or sporting a thin blazer that doesn’t actually provide protection from the bitter cold.
Fashion is often synonymous with discomfort, and sometimes convenience is sacrificed to pull off a certain ensemble.
The fashion choices for a student in Baton Rouge may be difficult once the first real cold front comes through because they usually have to choose the lesser of two evils: looking good or freezing. Hoodies and sweatpants become more and more prevalent on campus as it gets colder.
Though Louisiana is not usually fashion-friendly as far as the change of seasons, there are ways to cheat the system so you can remain stylish while powering through the fickle elements of southern Louisiana weather.
One of the easiest ways for men to look good and stay comfortable in the fall and winter months is to build a significant jacket collection. This seems obvious, but with numerous coat options come more outfit alternatives.
There are three types of overwear that can compliment almost any shirt and pant combination in a man’s wardrobe.
1-The Leather Jacket:
The first is the timeless leather jacket. A pair of jeans, a button-up shirt and a leather jacket looks spectacular on almost any man. There are multiple cuts and styles of leather jackets that can be fit to various body shapes, and there is a wide price range in the men’s leather market.
Also, this type of coat can be dressed up or down with a few minor tweaks such as adding a tie to the mix or just a thin hoodie for a more casual feel.
2-The Denim Jacket:
The next option in the viable repertoire is a denim jacket, a classic piece that can be easily paired with a plethora of patterns, most notably plaid. A distinctive flannel is always an appropriate option for a denim jacket and can be suitably dissonant to a vast amount of jean material.
Similar to a leather jacket, denim offers multiple shades and fits to facilitate different personal styles. Basically, a simplistic approach in shirt to jacket styling is most efficient way to stay relevant and comfortable in these colder seasons.
3-The Heavy Coat:
Finally, when there is a significant temperature drop, a substantial winter coat may be necessary. This is probably the most difficult wardrobe area to retain a fashionable style. However, there are a few fantastic brands for men’s outerwear.
Probably the best option for men, including students, who want to remain fashionable while battling the cold is the popular brand London Fog. Not only are their coats reasonably priced, but they are extremely warm and comfortable for such a stylish piece.
For example, a black polyester, high-collar winter coat can be paired with jeans, khakis or formal wear by just following basic color scheme rules.
The most important thing to remember when styling fall or winter outfits is staying warm, dry and comfortable while retaining a stylish look. All three of these options can accomplish this task if worn with confidence.
Michael Tarver is a 20-year-old mass communication junior from Houma, Louisiana. You can reach him on Twitter @michael_T16.

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Zoe Geauthreaux

Leather jackets can be worn as an alternative to traditional winter outerwear.