The Case for the Wool Suit (and the Right Way to Wear It)

You could call it misunderstood. A sleeper hit. The if-you-know-you-know wintertime uniform.

The wool suit hasn’t exactly gotten the same praise and attention as its more popular summertime linen counterpart, but it’s every bit as crucial. Gone are the days of itchy fabric and professor-looking patterns – today’s wool suiting offers a more refined, elegant, and modern look fit for wintertime.

Whether you’re campaigning for that new year promotion, or want a suit that’s in it for the long haul, today’s flannel jacket-and-pants combos come in an array of styles, including slimmer and sleek silhouettes guaranteed to get you through the coldest days of the year without sacrificing on style.

You don’t have to take our word for it: Wool suits for the season “are an absolute must,” Los Angeles-based celebrity fashion stylist Vanessa Powell tells The Tie Bar. The reason isn’t so much about the style, but about the material’s practicality, perfectly tailored to the wintertime months. “Wool is this magic natural material that is warm yet breathable and moisture-wicking,” Powell says. “A wool suit will remain durable for a crisp, clean appearance that doesn’t wrinkle easily.”

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What’s the Best Way to Style a Wool Suit?

The short answer: Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box with your wool suit this winter. When you’re looking to style your new set, you’ll want to think of it like you would suiting in other seasons. “Wool suits are surprisingly versatile,” Powell explains. “While nothing beats the classic formal pairing of a dress shirt, tie, and shoes, a wool suit can be worn a variety of ways for different occasions.”

That means that whether you’re looking to dress up for the work week or a date, a wool suit makes for an easy, foolproof choice no matter what you’re getting ready for. And yeah, this might sound controversial coming from us, but you have permission to skip the dress shirt and tie for a minute. “Instead of a dress shirt, try pairing it with a cashmere turtleneck and dress boots,” Powell says.

Of course, part of what makes a suit such a closet crowd-pleaser is that you don’t have to wear the entire suit together. Just like a linen suit in the summertime, each part of a wool suit lends itself well to mixing and matching the separates to maximize your everyday fits. For starters, look to the suit jacket for a wintertime layer.

“Other combos come from pairing just the jacket with chinos or denim and brogues, and losing the tie for a more unbuttoned, lived-in look,” Powell suggests. “Personally, I am a huge fan of a subtle herringbone or plaid print to a wool suit. It gives the formal outfit dimension and texture without overwhelming the eye.”

At the end of the day, investing in a wool suit doesn’t just take your cold-weather wardrobe to the next (warmer) level. It ultimately makes facing those unexpectedly frigid temperatures in style easier, cutting down on the time you’ll spend getting dressed in the morning, no matter where you’re going.

“[A wool suit] stands the test of time for both style and durability,” Powell says. “A wool suit is a closet staple every man should have in his wardrobe.”

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