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Illustration by Hilbrand Bos
Travel allows us to live a more romantic life. That’s why we’re attracted to the grand hotels and wonderful restaurants in the world’s greatest cities. It also encourages us to do some shopping — and then whenever you wear your new purchase back home, you’re reminded of the trip, and how you enjoyed the style of another culture. Yes, it’s a little extravagant, but I’ve always liked the old saying, “Everything in moderation, including moderation.” I’d like to credit some old Venetian count living in a palazzo on the Grand Canal for the phrase, but I think I read it on a fortune cookie. Whatever its origins, the point remains that a little indulgence can be a good thing. While we celebrate worthwhile items that you wear again and again — a beloved tweed jacket, a well-made dress shirt — here’s an extra special selection that will bring happiness to your sartorial life. Because sometimes what the heart wants is not the most sensible, but instead, drama and decadence.
A Distinguished Pair of Dress Gloves
I grew up in Minnesota, and we had a range of gloves and mittens that seemed to take over the coatroom. My mom even found the same type of immense mittens that renowned polar explorer Will Steger wore to the North Pole. Those are what you wear to shovel your car out of the snow or walk your blizzard-loving Bernese mountain dog. But winter contains multitudes, and so should your wardrobe. You deserve a pair of gloves that never touches a snowblower. A good pair of dress gloves is what you wear to a dinner party, not a shovel in sight. They should be soft, suede, as colorful as you like and even unlined. Try one of the lovely hand-sewn pairs from Hestra out of Hungary.
A Decadent Dressing Gown
Now this is on the extravagant side of things, but that shouldn’t dissuade you from setting an elegant tone around the house. A dressing gown usually has a shawl collar adorned with piping along the edges and is tied around the waist. Essentially, it’s a more upscale bathrobe. Certain people, like Winston Churchill, would greet their guests while wearing one. We don’t need to go that far. But a good gown can be very welcome — cashmere in winter, seersucker in summer. New & Lingwood, the venerable English firm, has been making dressing gowns for more than 150 years. Some are in more daring patterned silk. Find what feels right to you. The dressing gown demands to be worn near a roaring fire, whiskey in hand, while you peruse an Old Masters catalog. Before you know it, you’ll be wearing yours out to get the morning paper.
A Proper Pair of Chelsea Boots
A good Chelsea boot is slim, artful and looks excellent with a trim trouser. They are more dashing than a classic dress shoe. Invest in a classic pair from Crockett & Jones — the Chelsea 5 in chestnut is hard to beat. If you like the silhouette but want to be ready for some Minnesota snow (and the terrible salt that ruins good shoes), their roughout suede with a rugged rubber sole is for you. Viberg makes a more modern version, and R.M. Williams out of Australia makes the great Gardener boot. These are all terrific and all a financial commitment. But you’ll find they enter your rotation right away, and like anything you wear a lot, you’ll quickly forget the price.
A Sinful Scarf
A good scarf, when worn properly, should inspire a small amount of envy. It’s a statement of intent and an expression of your personality. So why get a default scarf that’s not up to the task? I love a large cashmere scarf. It can be boldly colored, but needn’t be. I have a cashmere scarf from Drake’s in a natural beige that’s just light enough to be downright boring, and I love it. If you want something more definitive, then any pastel color that flatters you will do. And if you want a bolder pattern, follow your instinct. You know you have the right scarf if other people want it and you’re loath to take it off when you head inside to warm up.
An Ambitious Double-Breasted Overcoat
I firmly believe a good overcoat is a vital possession, especially for my friends in colder climates. The overcoat is what you wear when you enter a fine establishment, like a good restaurant or opera house. It’s what you wear striding down the street in midwinter when you meet your friends and occasional foe. Yet most men are reluctant to roll the dice on one that isn’t the standard single-breasted blue or gray variety — the business suit of overcoats.
Well, it’s time to branch out. The double-breasted overcoat, with its military history, is flattering, impressive and not nearly as daring as you think. Step into the deep end with Ralph Lauren Purple Label or an Italian maker like Kiton. You can also look for Ring Jacket (available at the Armoury in New York City). These are all real investments, but I’ve had mine for 20 years. It’s a little worn out these days, but that just gives it more character. And remember, if it’s a finer fabric, you should still be able to wear it over a sport coat. We don’t want you wearing a parka to a gala, even in February.
A Minnesotan turned New Yorker, David Coggins is the author of the New York Times bestseller Men and Style and writes a column for Artful Living.
