Are you in the market for new winter wear? Here are a few comfortable and warm pieces to keep you covered this season.
The days are shorter, and the weather is undoubtedly a bit more chilly. Winter is here, and for some, it’s time to refresh your winterwear. Maybe your jackets and cold weather clothes are starting to show wear after a few years of use. Or perhaps you’re looking to revamp your wardrobe with new, classic winter pieces. Luckily, Ash & Erie recently sent The Modest Man some items from their latest collection, and we can’t wait to share them with you.
Ash & Erie has a proven track record for providing off-the-rack fits for modest men. We’ve tested the brand a few times over the years. But for this review, we’ve also put together a few looks for you so you can look and feel your best this winter.
A Brief Recap About the Brand and My Body Type
In previous reviews, we’ve covered everything you need to know about the brand (be sure to check out our fall review and jeans review). But of course, if you’re new to Ash & Erie, you’ll want to know a little more about it.
Ash & Erie founders Eric Huang and Steven Mazur identified a need for a clothing brand specifically for shorter men. And why not? There are so many stores for big and tall men; why not cater to the other end of the spectrum? They created Ash & Erie to serve the need for clothes for men 5’8” and under. You’ll find pants and jeans in shorter inseams, shirts with shorter torso and sleeve lengths, and stylish offerings.
It’s also essential for you to know a bit about my body type to better understand how these items will fit you. I am a lean water polo player standing on the taller side of modest at 5’8”. I have a shorter torso with longer arms and legs and consider myself to have a rectangular ectomorph body type. I find that shirts from brands that cater to short men often fit me best, while sometimes pants and jeans can be too short.
What I Tried: Four Stylish Winter Outfits
Before I show you the ways I styled my new Ash & Erie pieces, here’s a breakdown of what the brand kindly sent:
- Black Quilted Jacket, Large
- Navy Wool Peacoat, Large
- Driftwood Washed Stretch Chino, 32×29
- Khaki Washed Stretch Chino, 32×29
- Khaki Hybrid XYZ Pant, 33×29
- Navy French Terry Jogger, medium 27-29” inseam
- Navy Quarter-Zip Sweatshirt, medium
- Charcoal Roam Sweatshirt, medium
- Grey Waffle Long Sleeve Tee, medium
- Bright Blue Cotton Crew Neck Sweater, medium
Some of these pieces were immediate hits, and only two missed the mark. Let’s take an in-depth look at each of these pieces and how I styled them.
Outfit #1: Quilted Jacket, Driftwood Washed Chinos, and Grey Long Sleeve Waffle Tee
If there’s one thing I can count on from Ash & Erie, it’s how soft their casual pieces are. As I’ve mentioned in previous reviews, I live and die by casual and athleisure wear. I work in manual labor, so the minute I get home, I want my comfortable clothes. The grey Long Sleeve Waffle Tee is one of my favorite pieces from this shipment. The cotton is super soft, the color is a good neutral that doesn’t lean too blue or taupe, and the waffle adds a great textural element. Fit-wise, it was perfect. The sleeves hit right at the wrist bone, and the torso length hit mid-zipper.
I am a true medium but sized up in both outerwear pieces Ash & Erie sent. I tend to size up in outerwear to give me space for layering. Sizing up in the black Quilted Jacket was a smart move. It will allow me to layer lightweight pieces underneath while keeping the bulk off. The brand constructed this jacket with a soft polyester fabric. The best part? The faux suede trim. This jacket resembles the Barbour Powell Quilted Jacket without the price tag and with a modest man fit. This is a winner if you’re looking for a jacket that exudes English countryside style!
Remember how I mentioned that two pieces missed the mark? These Driftwood Washed Chinos were one of those items. They were incredibly small by a whole size, so I had difficulty buttoning them up. I also thought they were shorter than the other 29” inseam items the brand sent. So far, Ash & Erie sizing has been consistent for me, so maybe this was a one-off. However, I really liked the color of these chinos. They are a great alternative to espresso browns and khakis.
Outfit #2: Wool Peacoat, Khaki Washed Chinos, and the Bright Blue Sweater
These Khaki Washed Chinos are the same as the Driftwood pair, and you can see that they provide a better fit immediately. They were longer than the other pair, were slightly looser through the leg and hip, and fit perfectly in the waist. Both pants are labeled 32×29. Overall, I am a fan of Ash & Erie’s chinos. They are soft, sturdy, thick, and have the ideal amount of stretch, so they move with you but won’t stretch out. Whether you prefer to keep a stockpile of chinos or have a minimal wardrobe with two pairs, you should have these chinos.
I paired these chinos with the brand’s Bright Blue Cotton Crewneck Sweater, which adds a dash of color. It’s especially good paired with the peacoat for a tonal look. Like the long-sleeve waffle tee, the sweater offered a really good fit. Again, the sleeve stopped at my wrist bone, and the length hit shy of mid-zipper. The sweater is soft and perfect for business casual work attire or paired with jeans and a tee on the weekend.
The Navy Wool Peacoat is the other item from this collection that was not a great fit. Admittedly, it was my fault since I sized up, but it was inconsistent with the outerwear fit of the quilted jacket. This one was way too big for my frame. I’d say it has a more relaxed, boxy fit. That said, the wool blend feels exceptional, and it’s a very warm jacket. Also, the price point for this jacket is $258, which is a deal.
Outfit #3: Khaki Hybrid XYZ Pants and Navy Quarter-Zip Sweatshirt
At first glance, I wasn’t a fan of the Navy Quarter-Zip Sweatshirt. It has a striped contrast collar that I thought looked a bit dated. Or maybe something my dad would wear on the golf course. Not that there’s anything wrong with those things; they just aren’t for me. Let’s chalk it up to different strokes for different folks!
However, it very quickly grew on me. I don’t consider myself trendy, but I do like a few on-trend pieces in my closet. The 90s and 2000s aesthetics are back in style right now, and this lovingly fits in. Personally, it’s a little short on my torso but fits well through the torso and arms. Plus, now I love the contrast collar.
I layered this sweatshirt over the black Premium Crew Neck Tee from my previous review and the Khaki Hybrid XYZ Pants. These pants are another one of my favorite things that I’ve tried. I know they don’t look the best with my work boots, as pictured. They are better suited for classic white sneakers or other casual
Outfit #4: Navy French Terry Jogger and Charcoal Roam Sweatshirt
By far, I have worn the Ash & Erie Navy French Terry Jogger Pants and Charcoal Roam Sweatshirt the most. I can attest to how well they have worn and washed over the last two months I have owned them. They haven’t faded, pilled, or shown signs of heavy wear.
The length of the pants that I received in the 27”- 29” option is perfect. They stop right at my ankle bone. Ash & Erie also offers them in a 25”- 27” inseam for shorter gents or those with shorter inseams. The way my clothes feel is one of the most important things I look at (aside from fit, of course). The brand’s French Terry collection is incredibly soft and super comfortable. I wore them with the Roam sweatshirt and my favorite white Nike running shoes. This athleisure pairing is ideal for lounging around the house or running errands on the go.
Wrapping Up: Ash & Erie for the Win Again
Ash & Erie absolutely knocks it out of the park again. With the exception of two pieces I tried – one a sizing mistake on my part and the other, I believe, a mislabel—everything fit spot-on. The brand truly offers a little bit of everything, regardless of whether you prefer classic yet elevated pieces or if athleisure is your go-to.
One thing I want to particularly spotlight here is their outerwear for short men. A good-fitting jacket is a necessity for the colder months. If you’re looking for a jacket that will keep you warm for years to come and at a reasonable price, Ash & Erie certainly strikes that balance.
What are your favorite Ash & Erie pieces? Let us know in the comments below.
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