Top 5 Movies for Menswear Inspo this Winter

Winter has finally arrived in St Andrews. The temperature has definitely dropped in the last week, prompting even the stingiest of students to put the heating on. Changes in temperature also lead to changes in the way students dress to brace the St Andrews cold, with black puffer jackets being the most popular choice (fashion show, society affiliated, and North Face being the preferred options). However, just because it is getting dark in the middle of the afternoon doesn’t mean you need to embody that darkness in your outfit.  

While is may be increasingly hard to decide what to wear in the morning, when the time between getting out of bed and being wrapped up in your clothes for the day needs to be minimised into a streamlined procedure to avoid hypothermia, sources of inspiration can smooth out the bumps while getting dressed. Here are my top 5 movies to inject some uniqueness into your winter menswear style, that leave the overused black puffer firmly behind.  

1. The Deer Hunter  

This De Niro ‘classic’  (a scary term if you’ve ever had a movie suggestion from my dad), is full of great inspiration for dressing for the elements. The star of the show is by far the iconic orange jacket, which is just one small colourful step away from that St Andrews fashion show puffer.  

Credit: Universal Studios

Putting the jacket aside, De Niro’s layering in this film is the unsung hero and is perfect for those St Andrews days where you’re freezing on your way to class, yet sweating in the library. 

But that pop of colour is the focal point here: bring some brightness to these dark days and romanticise your sweet treat trip into an adventure in the wilderness.  

There are many places that sell jackets like De Niro’s, North Face did an iteration of them a few years ago, and other brands such as Fjallraven and Frizmworks also sell similar jackets.  

2. The Gentlemen  

Credit: The Independent

This Guy Richie film is full of gangsters and wanna-be aristocrats (we’re more of the latter than the former in St Andrews) with extremely good style. Whether it’s Mathew McConaughey’s tailoring, Hugh Grant’s sleazy turtleneck and leather jacket combo, Henry Golding’s shearling jacket, or Charlie Hunnam's cardigan, there is something for everyone in this film.   

The shearling jacket is a standout piece for me. A winter version of a classic leather jacket that is not only cosy but cool. Where to find a shearling bomber, you ask? Well, like most leather jackets, they can be pretty spenny, but there are lots of second-hand options and some of the best ones are vintage. If you’re on the Vinted or Depop prowl, try using terms like shearling, flight jacket, or leather bomber jacket, or even B3 bomber to refine your search. Channel your inner WW2 fighter pilot as you lock in for your deadlines.  

Credit: Entertainment Weekly

Speaking of deadlines, Hunnam’s cardigan is the perfect accompaniment for a day spent locked in at the library (or bed rotting), to save turning the heating on.

3. When Harry Met Sally

Credit: GQ Magazine

This movie is full of good outfit inspiration for all seasons, but the autumn/winter fits really stand out. Billy Crystal’s iconic white trainers, washed out denim, and white jumper with the high neckline have been a staple on menswear mood boards for years now. Although, it is not the only piece of impressive knitwear Crystal sports in the film. Get yourself into Armstrong’s the next time you’re in Edinburgh to pick up some of this late 80s early 90s colourful patterned goodness!

4. The Banshees of Inisherin

Credit: GQ Magazine

The case for knitwear has never been made stronger in my opinion than in the Banshees of Inisherin. I’m not the only one to bolster this view, GQ’s Gabriella Paiella is another supporter of the pornographic greatness of these knits.  

Nothing makes you feel cosy like the warm embrace of woollen knitwear. The depth of colour and variety of styles of knit that are achieved in this movie are unrivalled. And even better, they were all hand knitted by one woman, Delia Barry, from County Wicklow in Ireland.

In my opinion one of the coolest knitwear brands on the market is Howlin’, but they aren’t exactly catering to the student budget, and there are many great options when shopping new or second hand on a budget. One thing to keep your eye out for is the Wool Mark, which is a handy little tag to assure you of the top quality of the materials that have gone into your purchase.

It can also be helpful to narrow down your search through the type of wool you want; I find that lambswool and new wool can sometimes be a bit itchy, less so with merino and cashmere. But each of these wools have their own properties and not all are suited to every style of knit.  

5. Home Alone

Credit: 20th Century Fox

The MacAllisters from Home Alone are the epitome of preppy winter style. They are also becoming incredibly on trend. This year the millennial minimalism is finally coming to an end, and the resurgence of a more maximalist aesthetic is returning in the form of what is being called the ‘Ralph Lauren Christmas’. I think Home Alone is the prototype for this aesthetic where tartans, rich colours like reds and greens, and general decadence are central features.

Credit: 20th Century Fox

There are so many characters to inspire your winter style in this film, from Kevin, who I argue is akin to a human Polo Bear for a wintery preppy look, to the Wet Bandits who are also GQ certified style icons. Long coats, layered colourful flannels, fingerless gloves over fingered gloves - the list of winter essentials in this film goes on and on. So, while our deadlines may leave us feeling as battered and bruised as Marv and Harry at the end of the film, we can at least aspire to look as good as them while we do it.  

Honourable mention: The Revenant 

Credit: The New York Times

This movie makes you feel cold just watching it. And reminds us of the original winter style, fur. Make sure its vintage, and you’ll never feel cosier. Also, don’t let anyone tell you furs are only for ladieswear, you too can rock an ethically sourced fur or sheepskin coat and look like DiCaprio on the edge of survival.  

The films on this list emphasise a few things that I believe are the keys to looking good in the colder months, the first being colour. While black used to be the emblem of the super-chic fashion conscious, only worn by artistic creative types who wanted to stand out and make a statement, it has been co-opted by the masses into the lazy option. In winter, this just makes you blend in with the dreary weather, and who wants that?  

The second is that the fabrics you choose are key. Wools, flannels and cotton corduroy are all cosy fabrics that make you feel like you’re wearing a hug. Which is just the kind of emotional support from inanimate objects that every student needs during these colder months.