10 Tips to Survive This Winter in Style and Not Freeze Your Balls Off

If you think winter's all about throwing as many layers on your body as possible well...you're not entirely wrong. But surviving the winter in style has more to do with dressing smart than wearing as much clothing as humanly possible.

This winter, we're not saying that you need to cop an entirely new winter wardrobe, or suggesting that your current routines aren't up to snuff. That said, you can always benefit from a few tips and new tricks on how to stay warm this upcoming winter, and look good while doing it. Before the thermometer drops any lower, take a look at these 10 Tips to Survive This Winter in Style and Not Freeze Your Balls.

Not to state the obvious, but if you're not packing a hat, gloves, and other essential accessories, you are straight-up bricking it. Now's the time to make sure you pick out the pieces that both finish off a dope wintertime fit and, more importantly, keep you from freezing. No matter how heavy a coat you rock or how many layers you pile on, if you don't have a quality beanie, scarf, and gloves for daily usage, you will suffer.

There's really no way around it except to say that snow is brutal on footwear. Along with inherent water damage, the salt and rocks that are embedded within the stuff for melting and traction purposes can completely demolish any pair of kicks. While we're hoping we don't have to pack up our sneakers completely this season, we're typically all better off with a pair of durable boots. As with most things, the more you pay, the better the quality. There's no need to drop a buttload of money on a pair, but with the mileage you'll get out of these, a good investment will be well worth it.

When winter sets in, your coat is the outermost layer you'll be presenting to the rest of the world. And while it's always great to have a few options, securing a versatile winter coat is a surefire way to look dope everyday while saving a significant amount of cash.

Like the photo above, you can either go for a timeless piece that will always be a reliable move, or more of a statement-maker that will consistently turn heads. Either way, as long as you find a coat that fits your style, you know you'll love the way it looks and will keep you toasty for at least a few years, its versatility will allow you to show up to all of winter's events looking dope no matter what the occasion calls for.

The change in season calls for a change in grooming habits. Dry winter gusts means you should definitely be more consistent with facial moisturizing, and you should rotate in a more heavy-duty body moisturizer. Lip balm is a must, and even if it seems counter-intuitive, staying away from hot showers and water is actually better for your skin in the winter. There are plenty of other ways to make sure your skin and face don't succumb to winter's harsh conditions, including ones that can save you a significant amount of time.

While you probably deserve to be clowned for wearing leather joggers in the summer heat, in the winter, fucking up when it comes to the right fabrics is no joke. Essentially, leather, wool, and cashmere are your friends. They retain most of your body's natural warmth but remain breathable so you don't overheat. There are also tons of synthetic fabrics in the market that can wick away moisture, but require special care to maintain performance. Numerous companies are combining the benefits that traditional fabrics and futuristic ones both bring, like creating a cotton blend with Gore-Tex fibers for waterproofing. Needless to say, it's imperative that you pay attention to a materials tag on a garment to know how it'll stand up to Mother Nature.

Don't be the guy that alternates between two separate sweaters every other day for the entirety of winter until they're so threadbare they're essentially see-through. That doesn't mean you can wear each one differently, or that you have to have hundreds of sweaters on deck; but with plenty of budget-friendly options for sweaters, you should have a small supply of varying weights at your disposal.

While you can realistically rely on one great piece of outerwear, the same can't necessarily be said when you walk into the office for the fourth day in row with the same stained knit on your back. With all this talk of Indian Summers turning into Polar Vortexes, winter is a long and cold 4+ months, so stock up accordingly.

Just because you've added bulk doesn't mean you're doing yourself any favors. Sure you might have on heavy layers, but if your end result looks like the little brother in “A Christmas Story,” you should reconsider how you're putting yourself together. Layer smart by using thin thermal layers to start, and then adding one or two bulky layers as you go up, like a heavy wool sweater or a puffy jacket. You don't need to look like DJ Khaled in one too many hoodies to stay warm in the winter.

So your winter arsenal is set to handle an Alaskan-level snowstorm, but what do you have for an occasion where you have to dress or—gasp—wear a suit? True, those situations may only arise on holidays, but it's worth being prepared. Invest in a clean set of non-hiking style boots in a subtle black and brown. For your coat, try copping a topcoat in a neutral brown, navy, gray , or black that's versatile enough to be your go-to piece on your non-dressy days. It may not be as warm as your parka, but it's ability to be re-purposed in spring and the following autumn will leave you happy with your investment.

The 21st Century is a pretty crazy time. Your toilet can connect to the Internet, you have unlimited porn at your fingertips, and the technological advances made in clothing are really pretty unbelievable. Between fabrics that are fit for NASA missions and wearable tech, dressing in the winter has never been more hi-tech. There's little reason to not invest in clothes infused with treatments that make you nearly bionic, and brands like Nike, adidas, Isaora, and Aether are ensuring that you'll be tech-savvy without looking like a nerd. We surround ourselves with modern technology every day, why not have it in our clothes, too?

Sometimes the most obvious answer is the hardest to fully realize. Before you find yourself over-strategizing how to get dressed, take a second to stop yourself and reflect. Like you mother always said, "Put on a goddamn sweater." It's not that hard.

Whether you start wearing an undershirt, or choose to cop a shacket to wear between you and your winter coat, layers do matter and are the best way to add warmth and dopeness to a wintertime fit. However, as mentioned before, make sure you're not adding bulk just for bulk's sake.