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You know we love a good collaboration at Clothes-Make-the-Man, but this time it’s an internal one we have Six of the Best X Ask the Experts to come together to create the Mutha of all Goddamn Posts.

If the good folks over at the Met Office are to be believed, plus the fact that ole Mentalist himself Keith Barry are predicting the coldest Winter on record, we better wrap up and what better way then getting Six of the Best Brains in the history of Menswear Buying to predict their best Winter coats of the season. I think you’ll be rather surprised by the outcome and choices, but some clear and defiant examples are given which I hope, help you dear reader. We set them the question of, “If you were to buy ONE coat this season, what would it be ?” And the answers were as follows??????

“The Parka was one of the shapes of the season and this waxed version from Our Legacy also has pop-out bomber jacket so you are getting g 2 trends for the price of one – as well as very warm winter coat.”

Ben Andrew – Menswear Buyer, Liberty

“My favourite coat for this winter is our single breasted Corsivo Corsini overcoat with faux fur collar. This coat is a real investment piece; the luxurious wool and cashmere fabric and the detachable collar means you can wear it with a formal suit or with more relaxed daywear.”

Ross Wilson – Head of Buying, House of Fraser

“This jacket from Canada Goose is a firm favourite in the Mr Porter office. Goose down filled and crafted from a durable, water-resistant shell with ribbed-knit trims to keep out the cold, it’s the perfect marriage of function and laidback luxury. A big win for Winter ’15.”

Sam Kershaw – Senior Buyer, MRPORTER.com

‘A longer-length coat should be at the top of every man’s list this season – and Haider Ackermann’s slim-shouldered, embroidered style one of the best. Wear it unbuttoned, and offset the richness of the fabric with relaxed layers – it would look incredible over sweatpants and a cashmere roll-neck.’

Stacey Smith – Menswear Buyer, MATCHESFASHION.COM

“It’s is the Odel jacket from Calvin Klein in a technical nylon twill. I really like the clean lines styling but it is still really practical with 4 front pockets and a great hood to keep out winter chills. And it is Exclusively available at HN”.

Adrian Gibson, Buyer – Men’s Casual & Formal Collections, Harvey Nichols

“ I’ve been obsessed with Arctic Parkas ever since Liam Gallagher donned one for the entire 1996 Brit Awards leading to his infamous acceptance speech having beaten Blur to “Best British Band”. They don’t come around very often and you have to have a certain degree of confidence to wear with conviction. Our Legacy to me is one of the best brands in the world and their take is as good as its going to get. Resin coated cotton, quilted lining and storm flap with full zip through. It’s a contemporary take on a military classic. “

Thom Scherdel – Buyer, The Idle Man

Ahhh the nights are drawing in and its getting harder and harder to get up in mornings, Winter’s on its way and if your to believe the reports of those pesky weathermen and women, Sian Lloyd I’m talking about you its gonna get mighty cold in the coming weeks (and months). Now the style of knitwear for this season is none of this fine gauge light weight nonsense, Ohhh no. Its as though the Fashion houses around the world have been looking into their meteorological crystal balls and can see Winter 2013 is one for good and heavy old fashion Jumpers !

So we at Clothes Make the Man have searched far and wide for some of the best example of THE knitwear for the season, the knitwear in question being, the ‘Aran Jumper’ otherwise known as the ‘Cable knit Sweater’. Now there is an incredibly interesting, if not macabre, story behind this type of garment. Many moons ago the fishermen of the Aran Island, off the coast of Galway, Eire would get their good lady wives and mothers to knit them, fine sturdy jumpers to keep them warm and protect against those savage Atlantic conditions. Now the ladies would knit for their men folk jumpers but would add in intrinsic cable patterns onto them. So heres the interesting bit, every family who lived on the three main Islands which make up the Aran Islands, Inishmore, Inishmaan and Inisheer would all alter their patterns, almost like having a family coat of arms. So if one of the fishermen were wash overboard, basically his body could be identified by the jumper, or more importantly, the pattern on his Aran Jumper, told you it was macabre !

So with thought still engrained on your minds check out 6 of the best examples, our finest retailers have to offer –

No Winter chills are gonna get past this bad boy from Reiss

Keeping it nice and simple , this fine example with go with pretty much anything. It by Remus Uomo from House of Fraser

Keeping it nice and simple , this fine example with go will pretty much anything. Its by Remus Uomo from House of Fraser

Colour my life, there’s no chance of going missing in the snow if you’re wearing this knit by Paul Smith from MRPORTER.com

Well you can’t get more authentic then an actual Aran Sweater which is produced on the Aran Islands themselves. This is by Inis Meain for galvinformen.com

This is a great example of a cable knit from high Street favourite Burton.

Channel your inner country gent in this wonderful Polo Ralph Lauren jumper from Matchesfashion.com

Ask the Experts – Winter Coats

They’ll warm the cockles of your heart – 6 of the best Cable Knit sweaters

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