What is it about this time of year that gets those sartorial juices flowing. Is it the layering? Is it the textures? Is it the ease of adding some new style? I think men want to dress well in fall partially for those reasons, but also because of the temperatures. Many men (including myself) have spent most of their lives suffering through the warm months in worsted suits because they weren’t sure how to embrace lighter cloths like linen and fresco wool. Likewise they weren’t taught about flannels and tweeds, so they suffer through the cold months in worsted suits wrapped in overcoats. But the cool months during autumn? That’s simpler. Most clothes feel comfortable when the mercury tops out around 60. And nothing makes autumnal dressing easier than making sure you have some new fall menswear essentials in your wardrobe.
What makes a piece of clothing “essential”? I think it is defined by its versatility. How many other pieces of clothing can you wear something with? A Barbour coat works as well with a suit as it does with a pair of jeans. Sweaters go with just about anything. And OCBDs? You don’t have to tell me how great they are. All of these fall staples can be interchanged and mixed up making them ideal for a man’s fall wardrobe.
The layering of clothes is still a big issue though. In this age of climate controlled interiors and heated car seats and Nest programmable thermostats, there’s not much need for a full heavy suit indoors. Unfortunately, we can’t control the external environment, so heavier clothes are still necessary when we venture out for our morning cappuccinos. This disparity in temperatures still calls for extra layers as temperatures dip in the fall. Layering helps keep us stylish and warm, fulfilling a beautiful dual purpose.
I think the beauty of a list like this is that you can constantly augment it and add clothes over time that will mix in. These pieces are meant to be a base; somewhere to start. While I don’t subscribe to the idea of a true lean wardrobe, I do love clothing that can bridge the gap between formal and casual and work everywhere in between. Feel free to add in a flannel suit or some moleskin trousers or a denim shirt. Everything is fair game in the fall.
Fall Menswear Essentials for 2020 Part 1
Boots: Scarosso // Wool Tie: Attorie // Wool Cap: Drakes
Sport Coat: Spier & Mackay // Flannel Trousers: Suitsupply // Military Jacket: Ralph Lauren
Barbour Jacket: Beaufort (longer) // Jeans: imogene + willie
Fragrance: Burberry London // Camp Mocs: Oak Street Bootmakers
Fall Menswear Essentials for 2020 Part 2
Tweed Jacket: Ralph Lauren // Cardigan: Spier & Mackay // Heavy Chinos: Sid Mashburn
Barbour Jacket Bedale (shorter) // Sweater: Brooks Brothers // Wool Socks: Pedemeia
OCBD: J. Press // Corduroys: Spier & Mackay
Knit Tie: Shibumi Firenze // Brogues: Cheaney
