Pierrepont Hicks Unisex Parkas: The Minneapolis brand’s first foray into outerwear results in handsome unisex parkas lined with Faribault Woolen Mills fabric

Pierrepont Hicks Unisex Parkas


When newlyweds Mac and Katherine McMillan started Pierrepont Hicks in 2009, their mission was to make the perfect tie. Now that they’ve achieved that goal—evidenced by the loyal following they’ve…

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Ace Hotel + Alpha Industries: A waterproof fishtail parka to brave all elements

Ace Hotel + Alpha Industries

After ending 2012 on a high note with their Crescent Down Works puffy coat collab, the Ace Hotel starts the new year with another partnership, this time with heritage military garment maker Alpha Industries. The minimalist styling of the Fishtail Parka, a classic jacket based on the US Army…

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Westcomb Focus LT Hoody: The first bare bones shell jacket constructed of 100% waterproof and air permeable eVent DVL fabric

Westcomb Focus LT Hoody

Whether you spend your spare time in the great outdoors or exploring the city, a lightweight, waterproof jacket is a staple this time of year. A standout among the masses of Gore-Tex and Thinsulate out there is the Focus LT Hoody from Westcomb, a company known for melding sleek…

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Ace Hotel + Crescent Down Works: Two brands from the Pacific Northwest team up to produce a weather-ready down jacket

Ace Hotel + Crescent Down Works

Having recently been reminded of the harsh, persistent weather in the Pacific Northwest over the holidays it makes perfect sense to see the latest collaboration from Seattle-based outerwear brand Crescent Down Works and Portland’s Ace Hotel. The quilted down jacket is entirely manufactured in Seattle and topped with 700-fill…

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Salence Caisson: The traditional double-breasted topcoat inspires a modern ski jacket

Salence Caisson

Taking its distinctive look from the timeless topcoat, the double-breasted Caisson jacket from Salence offers a unique look for hitting the slopes. The fully lined wool and polyester blend coat is both breathable and waterproof, with quilted insulation to keep you warm on even the coldest days. While it…

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Winter Coats in Summer Colors : Our guide to ultra-warm outerwear in hot-weather colors

Winter Coats in Summer Colors

With winter approaching in much of the world, hordes of city-dwellers join the mass of black and neutral-hued overcoats to get through the darker months. However many designers are holding on to summer, packing their jackets with just as much warmth, but in bright, unexpected colors. We round out…

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Winter Coats in Summer Colors: Blue: Designers keep summer alive with bold blue

Winter Coats in Summer Colors: Blue

With winter approaching in much of the world, hordes of city-dwellers join the mass of black and neutral-hued overcoats to get through the darker months. However, many designers seem to be holding on to summer, packing their jackets with just as much warmth, but in bright colors completely unexpected…

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Winter Coats in Summer Colors: White: Designers combat the waning light with warm, white outerwear

Winter Coats in Summer Colors: White


 With winter approaching in much of the world, hordes of city-dwellers join the mass of black overcoats to get through the darker months. However many designers seem to be holding on to summer, packing their jackets with just as much warmth, but in soft colors completely unexpected for…

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Isaora Tech Blazer and Vest

Japanese materials form an ultralight blazer and insulated vest for a tech-driven twist on the traditional sport coat

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Always one to challenge the norm in lifestyle and performance outerwear, NYC-based Isaora has once again taken a conventional piece and transformed it into something truly their own. With the 2.5-Layer Tech Blazer with removable Pertex Insulated Vest Isaora reworks the traditional sport coat for a tech-driven alternative. The unique construction of the combination piece calls on multiple innovative Japanese fabrics for an incredibly lightweight and highly waterproof foundation.

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The blazer itself is constructed of a 8,000mm waterproof, breathable nylon that makes for a matte texture and color, loaning the blazer a uniquely futuristic look. In a good way. The underlying vest is made of a nearly transparent ultralight Pertex ripstop with PerimaLoft ONE 40g insulation and Aquaguard waterproof zippers—a simple design touch we’re always happy to see. The ultralight material and soft coloring makes the vest sleek enough to be worn on its own, while the modest bit of insulation is both impressively warm and comfortable.

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Snapping together with more than a handful of snaps throughout the yoke and flank of each piece, the intriguing blazer and vest make for a definite statement piece that’s sure to ease the transition from winter to spring. The 2.5-Layer Tech Blazer and Pertex Insulated Vest are made in NYC with Japanese materials and are now available separately or together online from Isaora. The combo sells for $469 while the blazer and vest can be found individually for $289 and $199, respectively.


Westcomb Switch LT Hoodie

The world’s lightest NeoShell jacket from Canada’s tech-driven outerwear maker

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Weighing about as much as a bottle of water, Westcomb‘s impressive 15oz Switch LT Hoodie is the latest to be named the world’s lightest NeoShell jacket. While outerwear companies spend every season trying to capture industry attention, Westcomb is one of the few to hit the high mark year after year with cleanly designed, solidly manufactured gear created from start to finish under one roof in Vancouver.

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A performance-driven, waterproof shell designed for all conditions, the Switch is made of Polartec Neoshell fabric, a revolutionary lightweight material rated at the market’s highest level of breathability and waterproof capability. With a slightly slimmer fit and articulated joints for ease of motion, the jacket maintains function while tackling the divide between tech and style. Multiple zippered pockets give the jacket just the right amount of portage possibilities while keeping contents completely dry. Westcomb president and lead designer Alan Yiu explains that the design team “started with a core foundation of the best possible materials, and then built the design upward from there, adding only what’s truly necessary for users in the field.”

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The Switch LT Hoodie is now available from Westcomb in colorways spanning basic neutrals to adventurous bold hues, for $430. An investment piece, the ripstop nylon jacket will likely last a lifetime, allowing you to easily traverse rainy city streets or off-road trails.