Nota bene: If you buy through the links in this article, we may earn a small share of the profits.
Let’s get straight to the point: it’s called “off-season buying,” and chances are you should be doing more of it.
It is one of the great sartorial fallacies that clothing should be purchased directly prior to the season in which it will be worn, a deft bit of psychological manipulation on the part of the fashion industry that keeps its cogs well oiled and perpetually turning. Because you see, the Powers That Be know that we are, by and large, creatures searching for instant gratification. We want to buy a thing and use that thing right away, and thus we are willing to pay full price for it, often even when that price is exorbitant.
But the cycle can be broken. It involves embracing your inner Zen master (that is to say, your most patient self), and purchasing items of clothing that you know damn well you will not have use for in the immediate — something you will need to put in the closet and wait until the appropriate seasonal moment to break out for the first time. It feels weird, but the tradeoff is that said items can be had for pennies on the dollar based on the fact that they are past their seasonal sell-by date.
Nowhere is this truer than for coats and jackets, which of all wardrobe pieces tend to be the biggest wallet killer when purchased at full-freight. And coats/jackets, unlike other more trend-driven items, tend to change very little year-over-year. Thus, summer is the perfect time to purchase one and stash it away until the mercury drops. Donate all the money you saved to your favorite charity, blow it on online poker, buy your significant other something nice, the world is your oyster.
As for which to buy, we’ve curated a few of our currently-available favorites below, each boasting a significantly-reduced price tag.
Get your off-season on.
Exclusive Todd Snyder + Golden Bear Shearling Collar Bomber Jacket
Bonobos Slim Fit Fleece Shirt Jacket
Billy Reid Double Breasted Trench
Nike Sportswear Windrunner Down Fill
Cole Haan Tech Down Parka with Faux Fur Trim
Alpha Industries L-2B Hooded Battlewash Bomber Jacket
We've put in the work researching, reviewing and rounding up all the shirts, jackets, shoes and accessories you'll need this season, whether it's for yourself or for gifting purposes. Sign up here for weekly style inspo direct to your inbox.
