How to stay warm and stylish this winter

How to stay warm and stylish this winter

For Isak Larsen, Sales Manager at Neuw Denim, the first and best trick is also the simplest: tuck your thinnest base layer into your trousers to keep warm.

– Wearing several thin layers makes it easier to add or remove clothing as needed. For many people, a long coat is the go-to piece for keeping out the elements, but it always feels risky when you’re navigating tight spaces and knocking things over. It’s also not very practical; you get hot very quickly as soon as you step indoors. I prefer to build an outfit that’s more adaptable and functional.

What are the alternatives to a long coat when it comes to staying warm?

– The hoodie is timeless, of course. It makes you look cool, put-together, and relaxed. It should have a loose fit but still sit snugly at the hem.

Women, in general, tend to prioritise style over function, Larsen believes.

– Sometimes, they can be a little unaware of what actually keeps them warm, he says. It’s 95% about the look and 5% about function. That’s where our Blackout model, a lightweight denim overshirt or ‘shacket’, works really well as a layer under a jacket without adding bulk. It’s versatile enough to take you from the office to a restaurant, and it has a lovely softness to it.

What about knitwear?

– A good-looking full-zip knit with plenty of character, like our Chain Knit, is great for regulating your temperature when you’re feeling too hot or too cold. All you need is a T-shirt underneath, and you won’t even need a winter coat to walk out for lunch.

What trends are you seeing in stores this season?

– If leather and suede ever went away, they’re definitely back. They feel fresh and relevant again. They’re also great for protecting you from the elements, particularly when made from softer, more supple materials that avoid that stiff, restrictive feeling.

– With leather and suede, you can wear something lightweight close to the body – ideally tucked in – and adjust your next layer according to the temperature. Leather and suede provide a good barrier against the cold, unlike cheaper outerwear made from faux leather, which lets the wind straight through. But, as you know, that’s not something we work with.

– At the same time, an extremely expensive leather jacket that’s supposed to get better with age is hardly comfortable during its first three years. Our leather and suede jackets, such as the Ranger, are very soft from the outset and come in a slightly oversized fit.

Personally, Larsen adds, he wears a proper winter coat for no more than ten days a year.

– People generally wear far too many clothes. If you dress smartly from the start, there’s no need for a wool cardigan, a jacket and a scarf. How many minutes do those of us living in a city actually spend outdoors on a cold day? Really, it’s just the journey to and from work, and perhaps the occasional walk out for lunch.

Whatever the season, if you work in an office, it’s 22°C by the time you get to work.

– Exactly. That’s where a denim jacket can work well as an overshirt. We make them in a range of materials and styles, and they’re easy to take off when you arrive at the office in the morning.

So, to sum up, how should we layer up this winter?

– Start with a thin jumper or T-shirt tucked into your trousers, add a chunky knit and finish with a relaxed-fit jacket suited to the temperature outside. That will take you a long way. And always dress for what you have planned that day!