Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Our Favorite Rugged Winter Menswear from Wallace and Barnes

If you know where to look, you can continually unearth hidden gems. In this case, that means we’re digging into a collection-within-a-collection of sorts this winter — the vintage-inspired, utterly rugged and yet versatile offerings from Wallace and Barnes, part of classic American menswear purveyors J. Crew. If ever you’ve wanted a plethora of tough chore coats, classic chinos, layering-ready flannel shirts, and durable accessories to go along with all of it, this is the place to start your shopping. Here are our favorite picks.

Wallace and Barnes Heavyweight Flannel Shirt

Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Wallace and Barnes line at J. Crew really is the best of the best all around — these are the kind of pieces that look at once familiar and reliable, yet they’re ready for you to carve out your own stories wearing them. Seriously, that’s not hyperbole — the Heavyweight Flannel Shirt calls to mind winter weekend adventures and cozy mornings in front of the fire, both decades ago and right now. We love the rich plaid pattern and yellow color.

Wallace and Barnes Boiled Merino Wool Chore Jacket

Wallace and Barnes Boiled Merino Wool Chore Jacket
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The thing about the Wallace and Barnes line is that they’ve successfully managed to distill so many eras into unique design inspiration. In fact, the Boiled Merino Wool Chore Jacket looks like the kind of piece you might have found in a longshoreman’s closet decades ago. That’s more than good enough for your fall and winter pursuits.

Wallace and Barnes Military Officer’s Chinos

Wallace and Barnes Military Officer's Chinos
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The military is an ongoing source of inspiration when it comes to tough, hard-wearing silhouettes that work for the modern man. That’s why these Military Officer’s Chinos will never go out of style, featuring specs that call to mind the old-school chinos worn by your grandfather. For the present day, you can pair these with a chambray shirt and merino wool chore jacket (see above).

Wallace and Barnes Double-Pronged Leather Belt

Wallace and Barnes Double-Pronged Leather Belt
Image used with permission by copyright holder

If you can believe it, Wallace and Barnes also delivers rugged, pleasingly old-school accessories. This handsome leather belt, with two rows of prongs, is just different enough from the everyday. Wear it with the Military Officer’s Chinos.

Wallace and Barnes Shearling Chukka Slippers

Wallace and Barnes Shearling Chukka Slippers
Image used with permission by copyright holder

What’s the best way to complement warm, rugged, and classic menswear from Wallace and Barnes? Why, a pair of ridiculously well-made chukka slippers, here just in time for the holiday season. Yes, you can (and should) wear these outside the house.

Editors' Recommendations

Beau Hayhoe
Beau Hayhoe is a freelance men's style writer, consultant and PR pro based in Brooklyn. Beau's menswear and gear writing has…
Get an amazing trench coat — These are our favorites for men
You don't have to go to Casablanca to look the best in a trench coat
Man in trenchcoat carrying a cain

Humphrey Bogart may not have invented the trench coat, but he definitely is the person we think of whenever the trench coat comes up in conversation. Of course, we can admit that it likely comes up in conversation around our dinner table more than yours since this is our business. But if you have seen Casablanca, you are no stranger to how fantastic a trench coat can look. It is why it is one of the best overcoats for men. Many other famous movie characters have utilized the sartorial excellence of the trench coat, from Daniel Craig's James Bond to Brad Pitt in Ocean's Eleven. Now you can benefit from the style, and we can show you how by giving you our picks for the best trench coat options for men in 2024.

What is the difference between an overcoat and a trench coat?
Just like blazers and sport coats, or khakis and chinos, overcoats and trench coats are terms that are used interchangeably but have very different meanings. Overcoats are a category that includes everything from Chesterfields (your basic wool overcoat) and duffle coats to trench coats and peacoats. What sets the trench coat apart from the rest is its history and features.

Read more
The best winter running gear: Our top picks
Make winter running easier with this useful gear
Man dressed in winter clothes running under the snowy weather.

Running is one of the healthiest activities that you could possibly do. Cardiovascular fitness increases your chances of a long and fulfilling life. It keeps you strong, mobile, and able to keep up with whatever life throws at you. However, the weather doesn't care about any of that, and the Earth continues to spin regardless of your New Year's Resolution. Therefore, you need to be prepared when the colder months are in full swing. Here is our list of the best running gear you can pick up to stay warm.

Tricks for running safely in the snow and ice
Running in the winter months includes many factors that the warmer months don't have to contend with. For instance, along with the dropping temperatures, you have to deal with snow and ice. Along with preparing yourself with the best winter running gear, there are other things you can do. Here are three tips for you to remember to sun safely in the colder weather.

Read more
A Ralph Lauren sweater is a great addition to a man’s wardrobe, and these are our favorites
These Ralph Lauren sweaters are always stylish
Ralph Lauren American Flag sweater on model

Imagine being draped in the sophistication of a Ralph Lauren masterpiece, effortlessly straddling the line between classic and audacious. A Ralph Lauren sweater is more than just an item of clothing; it's a declaration, a nod to timeless style with a touch of rebellious elegance.

In the realm of men's fashion, the name Ralph Lauren resonates like an aesthetically pleasing symphony. Whether you're navigating the corporate jungle or strolling the city streets, a Ralph Lauren sweater is your golden ticket to sartorial supremacy. Our fashion compass points unapologetically to the iconic Ralph Lauren, where craftsmanship meets charisma.

Read more