The Top Five Brands to Know This Winter

Tom FordMr PorterTom Ford launched his namesake label in 2005 after revitalizing Gucci throughout the 1990s with a sexier, more provocative take on luxury. The brand is known for sharp tailoring, sleek silhouettes, and a glamorous sensibility that extends from eveningwear to leather goods and footwear. Today, designer Haider Ackermann leads its creative direction, carrying that legacy forward with his own modern vision.The designer’s tailoring has always favored a sharp silhouette, and these brown wool tuxedo pants put a more relaxed spin on formalwear. Double pleats give the straight legs room to move, while pressed creases keep the shape crisp. Wear them with a black dinner jacket for a holiday party that calls for something beyond the usual uniform, or pair them with a fine-gauge black sweater and polished loafers for a winter dinner.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowA good winter night-out look starts from the ground up. Tom Ford’s Chelsea boots bring a little rock-and-roll swagger to the occasion, with glossy, lizard-effect leather, sharply pointed toes, and stacked heels that give the classic slip-on silhouette a Western edge. They’re the sort of boots that can turn a dark suit into a statement or give black jeans and a wool coat some much-needed attitude. Wear them to a holiday party, a late dinner, or anywhere your sneakers might send the wrong message.Brunello CucinelliMr PorterFounded in Umbria in 1978, Brunello Cucinelli began with a simple idea: make cashmere sweaters for women in colors that felt fresh and modern. The Italian label has since expanded into a full menswear and womenswear collection, becoming known for luxurious knitwear, fine tailoring, and an easy approach to dressing well. Its clothes combine traditional Italian craftsmanship with a relaxed sophistication that works just as well for everyday wear as it does for more formal occasions.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowBrunello Cucinelli has built a following around luxurious fabrics and Italian tailoring that manage to feel relaxed. This wool-felt overshirt puts that approach to work in a more casual silhouette, with flap chest pockets, silver-tone snap fastenings, and a curved hem. The black wool is substantial enough to take the edge off a cold city morning, while the clean design makes it a smart alternative to a traditional jacket. Wear it over a fine-knit sweater with wool trousers for the office, then head straight to dinner.Brunello Cucinelli’s cashmere expertise is on full display in this black ribbed zip-up sweater, knitted in Italy with a relaxed fit and a stand collar that keeps the cold off your neck. The two-way zipper lets you adjust the coverage, whether you’re layering it under a wool overcoat for a weekend spent exploring the city or wearing it on its own during a long flight. It’s a clever way to make travel-day comfort feel considerably more considered.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowMr PMr PorterMr P. has an advantage most menswear labels don’t: it was developed by the people at MR PORTER who spend their days studying what makes clothes worth buying. Launched in 2017, the in-house brand focuses on wardrobe staples, from knitwear and denim to outerwear, with an emphasis on quality materials and details that make sense in everyday life. The idea is to get the fundamentals right, then give men plenty of ways to wear them.A polo shirt can do more than a button-down when the occasion calls for looking presentable without getting too dressed up. Mr P.’s long-sleeved version is knitted in Italy from 75 percent merino wool and 25 percent silk, giving the fine-gauge fabric a soft feel and subtle sheen. An open collar and ribbed trims keep the design streamlined. A smart alternative to another crewneck sweater, this can be worn with flannel trousers for a holiday lunch or under a tailored coat when you’re meeting friends for a winter matinee.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowSome winter days require a coat that does more than keep you warm. Mr P.’s green shearling number has plenty of personality, with a suede exterior, plush lining, and a broad collar that frames the face. The loose fit leaves room for a chunky sweater underneath, while the button front and slanted pockets keep things practical. Wear it with dark denim and sturdy boots for a Saturday spent browsing record shops, grabbing lunch, or walking home the long way. You might even forget how cold it is.YokeMr PorterFounded by designer Norio Terada in Tokyo in 2018, Yoke takes its name from the garment panel that joins pieces of fabric together. That idea of connection carries through the label’s approach to design, which draws on art and reworks familiar menswear with unexpected proportions, interesting textures, and subtle twists. The result is clothing that feels relaxed and easy to wear, with enough edge to keep a wardrobe of everyday staples from looking predictable.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowYoke approaches everyday clothing with a Japanese design sensibility that puts proportion and considered details at the forefront. These wide-leg jeans show how much a change in silhouette can do. Cut from black cotton denim, they have a roomy leg and a classic five-pocket design, with enough volume to balance a chunky knit or a boxy winter coat. Wear them with a pair of leather sneakers for an afternoon antique hunting or checking out a gallery.Made in Japan from a blend of 85 percent wool and 15 percent cashmere, this gray felt overcoat has a modern silhouette withdropped shoulders, wide notch lapels, and an oversized double-breasted cut that leaves plenty of room for winter layers. The fabric feels substantial without weighing you down, making it the perfect choice for days when you’re walking across town rather than hopping between cabs. Throw it over a chunky sweater and wide-leg jeans for a look that feels polished without being overly formal.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowBegg & CoMr PorterBegg & Co’s story begins in Paisley, Scotland, in 1866, when Alex Begg established a textile business that would become known for its scarves and cashmere. Today, the brand makes knitwear and accessories at mills in Ayr and Hawick, combining traditional Scottish textile techniques with modern design. Its cashmere collection ranges from classic scarves to substantial sweaters, with texture and color often doing the work that logos do elsewhere.Begg & Co has been making textiles in Scotland since the 19th century, and its experience shows in the details of this navy scarf. The Bernard is knitted from a blend of 56 percent cashmere and 44 percent lambswool, with a repeating cable pattern that gives it texture and wide ribbed ends that keep the design clean. At nearly 7 feet long, it can be wrapped snugly around your neck on a windy morning or left loose over a wool coat when you want a little more warmth on the way to a weekend lunch.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowBegg & Co’s Surfer cardigan is knitted in Scotland from pure cashmere, with blended yarns that give the ribbed surface subtle tonal variation. Horn buttons, welt pockets, and a shawl collar lend it a classic look, while the substantial knit makes it a practical alternative to a lightweight jacket. Wear it over a T-shirt with relaxed trousers for a slow Sunday morning at home, then keep it on when you head out for coffee or an impromptu lunch. It’s an easy way to look put together without getting dressed up.