Image via Complex Original
As an adult, there are certain responsibilities one must uphold, even in the worst of weather conditions, like a snowstorm that could bring more trouble than you bargained for. Every grown man needs to be prepared. Sure there’s food, water, and other necessities, but what’s really important in these desperate times? Your style, duh. Those stylish needs aren’t just for fashion anymore. They require function. They need to help you survive without having to sacrifice how you look and feel. That is why this list of 10 Snowstorm Essentials Every Stylish Guy Should Own could save your life. Or at least keep you from looking like a shivering loser.
Woolen Mills Blanket
When it gets down to brass tacks, it doesn’t matter what you’re wearing if you are snuggled up underneath a blanket that’s made in the U.S. at one of our premiere woolen mills. It’s guaranteed to keep you warm and it feels like heaven.
Swiss Army Knife
You never know when you're going to need to get your MacGyver on, so having a 6-tool Swiss Army Knife at your fingertips to unscrew, file, or cut is essential. It can get you out of a lot of potential jams that you wouldn't want to be stuck in during a snowstorm.
Long Johns
Okay, so let’s get this straight—long johns by themselves are not swag. They are functional, but when you’re walking around looking like a natural thermal-colored dweeb, it doesn’t help you one bit. Layering long-sleeved long johns underneath your other stylish gear will keep you warm and can add something extra to your style. Give the health goth shorts combo a whirl, but with less darkness and despair.
Balaclava
It’s hard not to praise Kanye for his balaclava swag, especially when it will most definitely keep your nose and lips from falling off of your frostbitten face. It also adds a dash of mystery, just in case you make it out of the house and run into some people you don’t want to see.
Mag Light
On the real, if you can’t see anything, it doesn’t matter what you’re wearing when your knees, toes, and face are broken from running into stuff. Mag lights are bright and they have a contemporary design you can justify to your friends as “synergistic to your style” if you try hard enough.
Bean Boots
There is a reason Bean Boots—formally named the Maine Hunting Shoe—have been around for over 100 years. Not only will the lightweight, waterproof rubber-soled boots keep your feet warm and dry, they are easily recognized as one of the most stylish essentials of any season. This one is a no-brainer if you plan on stepping foot outside in that storm, bro.
Wool Overcoat
A wool overcoat is a cold-weather essential, but the heavyweight, mid-length, wide-collared coat has properties that are also essential to keeping you from getting your butt kicked by a snowstorm, should said snow try to penetrate any of those areas from your neck down that are protected.
Wool Socks
We practiced wearing shoes with no socks for upwards of eight months religiously, but you would be a fool if you thought you could pull it off in the winter, let alone in a snowstorm. High-quality wool socks that keep the heat of your feet in and the cold of the environment out should be a part of every man’s wardrobe—that is, if you think your feet are important enough to keep.
Lined Leather Gloves
Gloves, especially ones that are actually supposed to be warm, can get very unstylish, very fast. If you want something that will keep your fingers warm and won’t make you look like a fifth grader at a bus stop, try leather gloves, especially of the deerskin variety that are lined with wool or cashmere. The slimmer you get, the less protection you’ll likely have, but at least you’ll look luxe and will be able to touch things in the future.
Down Vest
The down vest is one of those love/hate winter items because it can get bulky and tricky to rock well. But if you’re trying to survive the cold and snow and keep your tilt toward “stylish,” it all comes down to picking the right vest and how you layer with it. Layering button-down shirts and sweaters under an ultra-protective and ultra-dope 60/40 down vest will likely get you nods of approvals from your stylish—and possibly frozen with jealousy—peers.