Whether we like it or not, summer is drawing to a close. September is here, and every day we will start to see the temperatures dip lower as the leaves begin to fall. While many people associate spring with being the season of change, autumn is just as dramatic a tool for bringing about many shifts in the world around you. The heating units need to be serviced, you have to think about whether you need new winter tires soon, school is back in session, and your wardrobe is going to need some serious change.
Formal and casual menswear basics need to be switched out as the seasons change. Partially for practical reasons, as you’ll start wearing long sleeves and sweaters again, but also for style purposes. There are certain colors and fabrics that, when worn straight from summer to fall, are inappropriate. To avoid passé outfits that get you looks when you walk down the street, we have compiled some of our best tips on how to keep your wardrobe in season and ready to go.
Of course, it goes without saying that these are just our tips on how to optimize your wardrobe for autumn. You should always wear whatever you are most comfortable in, whether it is in season or not! If you take away any advice from this article, it should be that the comfort and practicality of your clothes are always the most important factors when picking out an outfit.
Keep It Cool Toned
Summer is for your brighter colors, and as the weather warms up, we ditch the men’s casual trousers for athleisure and shorts. Now that Fall is approaching, we have to revamp our closet yet again.
Every year, fall tends to bring cooler tones to the runways and the streets. Loud colors are ditched for grays, blacks, and other more muted tones. This year, it seems the aesthetic is tipping more towards Victorian libraries. You can expect to see more maroons and browns, which were colors we already saw dominating the scene last autumn, too.
Nudes and tans are also very trendy for this upcoming season. Instead of opting for a classic white or even pink button-up, try to add wine reds and relaxed yellows to your work shirt collection. Work trousers can probably stay steady, as black, navy and darker khakis are commonplace for business casual attire every season.
For more casual menswear, vests are becoming a staple of the Fall scene through the past few years. Casual clothing can allow you to break away a bit more from the traditional mold of fall colors, however, to stay in style, you will still want to keep the tones cool and muted. Dark blues and greens can help you stand out a bit more while still keeping it on-trend.
Thick Fabrics for Cooler Temperatures
As summer is hot, Fall is cool. Mesh, thin cotton, and athletic types of materials can be base layers, while the heavier fabrics are ones that will keep you warm and cozy.
In the pants department, try trading out your lighter weight jeans for other casual menswear basics, like khaki or even corduroy. Those fabric choices will allow you to blend the brown tones mentioned earlier with fall fabric staples and can be worn both in the office and outside. If you are sticking to jeans, darker washes, selvidge and even black denim can see you through from Fall even into winter. Knitted materials are commonplace for sweaters, and heavy cotton can be rocked as sweatshirts or long sleeves.
Flannel is perhaps the biggest autumn staple of all. This fabric comes in a variety of colors, for those who want to blend in or stand out, and have truly made itself a must-have piece in anyone’s closet. Flannel is incredibly versatile, too, and can function as everything from casual menswear to business casual clothes.
Blend It All Together
When you are going from summer to fall, a lot of your wardrobe will be heading into storage. However, not every piece from the hotter temperatures needs to be put away just yet. Keep your thin cotton shirts and other tops like that in your closet for layering. Cardigans and flannels always look best with a complimentary piece underneath them, and you get the added benefit of not needing to replace your entire wardrobe. This is beneficial for your wallet, as a 2016 study showed that men over 18 typically spent $10 more per month than women on clothes. By reusing pieces from the last season, you can help reduce that number.
As we mentioned before, these are simply our top tips for dressing in the fall. If you want to carve your own path, you are more than welcome to follow a different beat!
If you are looking for more wardrobe advice, get in touch with a personal stylist here at Family Britches today!
